Britons join neo-Nazi militia in Ukraine
UK facing ‘surging and constantly evolving’ threat from far-right terrorism, watchdog warns

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
British fighters are travelling to Ukraine to join a neo-Nazi paramilitary group, according to the latest report from an anti-racism watchdog.
Hope Not Hate warns that people linked to the Azov battalion, a militia fighting Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine, are actively recruiting far-right activists from Britain, The Guardian reports.
The militia’s commander, Andriy Biletsky, previously led a hard-right nationalist movement called Patriot of Ukraine. According to The Hill, Biletsky has stated that Ukraine must “lead the white races of the world in a final crusade for their survival … against the Semite-led untermenschen” - a German term from Nazi racial ideology used to describe supposedly inferior people.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least two Britons are thought to have travelled to the war-torn country to join the Azov battalion in recent months, says Hope Not Hate.
The watchdog’s annual report warns that the UK is facing a “surging and constantly evolving” threat from far-right terrorism and violent extremism.
“As traditional British far-right groups collapse, far-right-inspired terrorism is on the rise,” the organisation says. “Replacing old-fashioned racial nationalism is anti-Muslim hatred.
“Today’s key activists tend to be younger, operate online and have little of the obvious ‘Nazi’ baggage of their predecessors.”
The publication of the report comes just days after Mark Rowley, the outgoing head of counterterrorism policing in the UK, said the public should be “gravely concerned” about neo-Nazi group National Action.
The now-banned organisation idolises Adolf Hitler, advocates ethnic cleansing and has voiced support for Thomas Mair, the far-right terrorist who murdered Labour MP Jo Cox.
Four right-wing terror plots have been foiled in the past year alone, Assistant Commissioner Rowley revealed.
Nick Lowles, head of Hope Not Hate, says he fears further violence from the extreme right in the months to come, adding: “It is vitally important now that police and the Government do more to crack down on the peddlers of hate and those pushing a civil war rhetoric.”
Responding to the report, Security Minister Ben Wallace said the Government’s Prevent strategy is “successfully fighting back” against the terrorist recruiters, whether they be Islamists, neo-Nazis or other violent extremists.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
The week’s best photojournalism
In Pictures A steaming volcano, a giant crater and more
By Anahi Valenzuela Published
-
Texas and Yelp are suing each other over crisis pregnancy centers
Talking Point A battle over free speech and abortion rights heads to court
By Joel Mathis Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Attacking the grid
Speed Read Domestic terrorism targeting the U.S. electric grid is exposing dangerous vulnerabilities
By The Week Staff Published
-
Terror police probe uranium seized at Heathrow
Speed Read The radioactive substance was found during routine inspection of package flown into the airport
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
Turkish government blames Kurdish separatists for Istanbul bombing
Speed Read Blast in busy street on Sunday killed six people and wounded scores more
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Manchester bombing report exposes ‘incompetence’
Speed Read Newly published findings of public inquiry into 2017 attack describe a litany of failures
By The Week Staff Published
-
The terrorism 'mastermind'
Speed Read Before he was killed in a U.S. drone strike, Ayman al-Zawahiri was one of the most wanted men in the world
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
U.S. facing increased threat of extremism over next 6 months, DHS warns
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published