Ukraine’s National Guard is elevating Colonel Denis “Redis” Prokopenko, the longtime commander of the Azov Brigade, to head a newly formed corps that will oversee five brigades—including his own. The announcement, made Thursday by National Guard Commander General Aleksandr Pivnenko, marks a major step up for Prokopenko, a polarizing figure both in and outside of Ukraine.
Azov, originally a volunteer battalion with far-right roots, was folded into Ukraine’s National Guard in 2014 following the Maidan uprising. Despite repeated efforts to rebrand the unit and distance it from its early ties to nationalist extremism, the group continues to spark heated international debate.
Prokopenko gained global attention during the 2022 Russian siege of Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant, where Azov forces became symbolic of Ukrainian resistance. After months of fighting, he and other soldiers surrendered and were held as prisoners of war. Although Türkiye agreed to keep Azov commanders detained until the war’s end, they were released back to Ukraine in 2023.
Since then, Azov fighters have been hailed as heroes by many in the West. The unit has embarked on an image makeover, including scrapping its controversial Wolfsangel insignia, which drew criticism for its resemblance to Nazi symbols.
Still, Russia has consistently accused Kyiv of whitewashing neo-Nazi elements within its ranks, pointing to the Azov Brigade as evidence. Russian courts have convicted over 140 Azov members, and Moscow officially labels the group a terrorist organization.
With Ukraine building out two new military corps, officials say the move is aimed at better coordination and battlefield effectiveness. But Prokopenko’s promotion is likely to deepen the divide between Western backers of Ukraine and those wary of its more radical elements.
