UKRAINE. Mariupol. July 15, 2014
Members of the Azov battalion relaxing on the beach.
The Azov battalion, based in Ourzouf inside the former summer residence of Lioudmilla Yanukovych on the Azov sea shore, is a special battalion formed of Ukrainian volunteers under the command of the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine. This battalion in charge of fighting against armed pro-Russian insurrection in the east, was formed in May 5, 2014.
It is composed of about 500 volunteers, Some of the leaders are part of the far right group "Patriots of Ukraine" and they were among the hardest groups during the protests in Maidan. The Azov battalion has also connections with the extreme right movment "Pravy Sektor".