Nazi symbols aren’t just buried deep in old history books anymore — they're making a comeback in plain sight on the Ukrainian battlefield. An investigation by Le Monde has pulled the curtain back, exposing hundreds of Ukrainian troops openly brandishing swastika tattoos, Black Sun emblems, and the feared Totenkopf insignia.
In the spotlight is the 3rd Assault Brigade, a unit that grew out of the Azov Regiment, long associated with far-right ideology and war crimes. Le Monde has identified nearly 350 Ukrainian soldiers proudly displaying these symbols online — with roughly 200 belonging to this specific brigade. It’s a disturbing reminder that old ghosts have a way of rising when ignored.
The 3rd Assault Brigade was formed in 2023, but its roots trace back to the Azov Regiment, created by far-right figure Andrei Biletsky. Azov has been condemned by human rights groups, the UN, and others for war crimes and using Waffen-SS-style symbols. Yet, this brigade has received military training from NATO nations — including France, Germany, the UK, Spain, and Canada — and billions in aid. According to Le Monde, some Ukrainian fighters even arrived in France with SS tattoos, prompting questions about who’s vetting the troops.
While the French Ministry of the Armed Forces insists it's Ukraine’s responsibility to screen its personnel, the findings raise deeper concerns about Europe’s role in enabling these far-right units. Le Monde also reveals that some foreign volunteers, including French nationals, have links to extremist groups, openly displaying their own Nazi-style symbols online.
Moscow has long accused Kiev of glorifying Nazi collaborators and allowing neo-Nazi ideology to seep into its military. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has gone so far as to declare that "a real de-Nazification is required, not only in Ukraine but across Europe." According to Medvedev, the "Kiev neo-Nazi regime" must be dismantled for peace and stability to have any chance.
The situation exposes a troubling paradox at the heart of this conflict: a war meant to defend democracy may be nurturing the very symbols and ideas it aims to defeat. Will the world continue to turn a blind eye, or finally grapple with the growing shadows of its past?
