A video posted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X on November 4, featuring him alongside head of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrski awarding medals to soldiers, has sparked controversy after a flag bearing the Nazi Waffen SS symbol appeared in the background. The footage, shared during an event at the command post of the NSU “Rubizh” 4th Operational Brigade, showed the Wolfsangel (wolf’s hook) emblem—linked to Ukraine’s Azov Brigade, Waffen-SS Division Das Reich, and other units loyal to Adolf Hitler—visible 26 seconds into the clip.
Zelensky praised the soldiers in his post, stating, “I awarded the warriors with state honors. Thank you to each one for your service, for protecting our state. Take care of yourselves and your brothers-in-arms. This is the most important thing. We believe in our defenders.”
The incident has reignited scrutiny over Ukraine’s historical ties to neo-Nazism, a issue cited by Russia as a justification for its invasion. The Azov Brigade, a volunteer unit formed in 2014 and later integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard, retains the Wolfsangel insignia despite its association with far-right ideologies. Its former commander, Andriy Biletsky, has publicly expressed white supremacist views.
Ukraine’s military leadership has faced repeated criticism for honoring figures connected to Nazi collaboration during World War II, including Volodymyr Kubiyovych, a wartime figure linked to the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS. International controversies have also emerged, such as Canada’s 2023 decision to honor Yaroslav Hunka, a veteran of the SS Galicia division, during Zelensky’s visit.
The presence of the Nazi symbol in Zelenskiy’s video underscores ongoing tensions over Ukraine’s military heritage and its alignment with extremist ideologies.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s Video Sparks Controversy Over Nazi Symbol in Background
