Nazis in Ukraine: Seeing through the fog of the information war
May 25, 2022
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The presence of Nazis in Ukraine is dismissed as Russian fake news, supporting a war-mongering narrative. Collaboration between Nazis and Ukrainian ultra-nationalists during WWII involved genocidal acts. Far-right parties in Ukraine, financial links between Zelensky and oligarchs revealed in Pandora Papers, and controversial connection with ultra-nationalist militias. Speech advocating destruction of Russian people. Fascism and Nazism in Ukraine pose a global threat with support from international fascists and acts of terror in the US.
The podcast exposes the historical collaboration between Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and Nazis, highlighting their integration into intelligence networks and the formation of Operation Gladio.
The presence of fascist elements in Ukraine's ruling class, military, and parliament, as well as the influence of ultra-nationalist militias in politics, showcases the pervasiveness of fascism in Ukrainian society and its international connections.
Deep dives
Fascism in Ukraine's History: Collaborations and U.S. Involvement
The podcast explores the history of fascism in Ukraine, highlighting the collaboration between Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and the Nazis during World War II. It reveals the U.S. government's integration of Nazi collaborators into intelligence networks, their anti-communist campaigns, and the formation of Operation Gladio. The podcast also discusses the involvement of fascist elements in the Maidan coup in 2014, the role of far-right shock troops, and the establishment of ultra-nationalist militias like the Azov Battalion. It sheds light on the U.S. support for these militias, the training programs provided for Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, and the integration of Nazis and fascists into the Ukrainian government and military.
Fascism Today in Ukraine: Presence in Ruling Class and Society
The podcast highlights the presence of fascist elements in Ukraine's capitalist ruling class, paramilitary organizations, military, parliament, and certain sectors of society. It emphasizes the influence of ultra-nationalist militias in Ukrainian politics, even though they did not obtain significant electoral support. The podcast explores the relationship between President Zelensky's administration and fascist groups, their glorification of Nazi collaborators, and their control over information and media outlets. It mentions the banning of communist parties, de-communization laws, and the culture of fascism that pervades Ukrainian society.
International Dimensions of Ukrainian Fascism and Implications
The podcast discusses the international dimensions of Ukrainian fascism and its impact on the global far-right movement. It mentions the transnational support for groups like the Azov Battalion and the influx of foreign fighters seeking to align themselves with Ukrainian fascists. The podcast highlights Azov's political party, publishing houses, training camps, and vigilante forces, emphasizing their military capabilities. It also mentions U.S. lawmakers' concerns over the link between Azov and acts of terror in America. Lastly, the podcast criticizes the Biden administration for continuing the U.S. policy of supporting fascist forces in Ukraine.
On Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin undertook what he referred to as a “special military operation…to de-militarise and de-Nazify Ukraine.” Western bourgeois media immediately decried these stated goals, regularly repeating that the allegations of Nazism in Ukraine are nothing more than Russian “fake news.” Former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, went so far as to flatly state that “there are no Nazis in the Ukraine.” Similar claims resound throughout the mass media’s echo chambers, and the fact that the current president of Ukraine is Jewish is often short-sightedly presented as the only “proof” necessary.
Disputing the existence of Nazis and fascists in Ukraine serves the purpose of constructing a twisted but simplistic narrative loosely based on WWII: Putin is an evil, Hitler-like figure intent on attacking the freedom-loving Ukrainian government and its innocent supporters. The goal of such a narrative is to foster blind and unquestioning support for the Zelenskyy government, NATO and the imperialist Western powers. A “humanitarian” war, meaning a brutal NATO intervention that would likely spark WWIII, is thereby presented as a viable option. In this context, any attempt to provide a sober and concrete analysis of the actual history of Nazism in the region runs the risk of being disingenuously labeled and dismissed as “pro-Putin” because it does not support this war-mongering narrative.
Read the full article here: https://www.liberationnews.org/nazis-in-ukraine-seeing-through-the-fog-of-the-information-war/
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