NEW DELHI: An investigation by a media organisation has uncovered evidence that a neo-Nazi, Sergei Korotkikh, accused of murdering immigrants, was in possession of UK-made anti-tank rockets supplied to Ukraine. Three videos posted on Korotkikh’s Telegram channel show him with the missile launchers. This discovery adds to previous evidence suggesting that British weapons sent to Ukraine have ended up in the hands of extremist groups.
The lack of coverage regarding the recipients of Britain’s multi-billion pound arms package to Ukraine is concerning. In a recent meeting between Rishi Sunak and Zelensky, the UK pledged to provide hundreds more missiles and armed drones.
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Korotkikh founded the Russian neo-Nazi group National Socialist Society around 20 years ago. The group targeted darker-skinned guest workers from the Caucasus and Central Asia and was involved in numerous racist murders. Korotkikh is alleged to have beheaded one of his victims on camera beneath a swastika flag. He denies these allegations but was only charged with murder in 2021, long after he had left the country. There are even reports suggesting his possible links to Russian intelligence and police.
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Despite his past in Russia, Korotkikh found a welcome in Ukraine, where he joined the Azov battalion, a neo-Nazi militia founded by Ukrainian far-right activist Andriy Biletsky. Biletsky expressed his desire to lead the white races of the world in a final crusade against what he called Semite-led subhumans. Korotkikh acquired Ukrainian citizenship and the Azov battalion became integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Korotkikh had access to the UK-made Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAWs), sophisticated anti-tank weapons. He posted videos and messages on Telegram, expressing his joy at having these weapons and making racist and violent remarks.
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The NLAWs in Korotkikh’s possession can be traced back to those supplied by Britain, as evidenced by the reference numbers on the boxes. These weapons were sent to Ukraine by the UK and Luxembourg, but the vast majority came from Britain. The potential for these arms to fall into the wrong hands, such as far-right groups or criminal organizations, has been a major concern from the beginning. The UK government’s response to these concerns has been inadequate, as it has refused to confirm or deny if it has measures in place to prevent such diversion of weapons.
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The Azov-affiliated units have grown since the Russian invasion, indicating the ongoing influence of far-right ideologies in Ukraine. Azov veterans formed combat units, and one of them, called Kraken, was the first to receive NLAWs. Korotkikh emphasized the importance of the Azov movement and expressed his pride in being one of its founders. Azov-affiliated units have been involved in the defense of various cities and have been reformed as the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, fighting on the frontline in Bakhmut. The involvement of far-right groups and individuals in Ukraine’s military raises concerns about potential blowback and the long-term implications of supplying weapons to such groups.
British defense minister James Heappey has acknowledged the possibility that members of the Azov battalion had access to anti-tank weapons supplied by the UK. He stated that thorough risk assessments were conducted and appropriate measures were taken to mitigate any potential risks. However, the fact that individuals affiliated with Azov, including founders, were commanding armed units and had access to these weapons raises concerns about the effectiveness of the implemented safeguards.
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