Elite Azov fighters have halted Russia’s assault on Niu-York. Is it time for their skills and experience to be spread more widely?
By David Kirichenko
January 9, 2025
CEPA
Beneath the rubble of a destroyed building near the frontlines, commanders from the 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade discuss the ongoing battle for Niu-York. What stands out immediately is the striking youth of the soldiers and commanders, many of whom are in their early 20s.
Niu-York, a critical frontline town located just south of Toretsk, became a focal point of Russia’s offensive in Donetsk Oblast during the summer of 2024 and nearly fell. In September, the Azov Brigade was deployed to stabilize a “catastrophic” situation, and, although Moscow claimed to have captured the town in late August, a swift counterattack regained much of the lost territory. (The town had 10,000 inhabitants before the war; the origins of its curious name are unknown.)
While other parts of the front, such as Pokrovsk, have faltered, the Azov unit has held firm, refusing to cede any territory to the invaders. Andriy (“Kornak”), a soldier from the 12th, said that, unlike other brigades, it doesn’t spare any resources to achieve its mission.
If it snows or rains and the enemy hesitates to deploy drones, Azov ensures its own drones remain operational, regardless of the weather. Unlike other Ukrainian brigades that are better resourced (Azov does not get the top-line Western equipment of some other units) and more cautious about losing vital gear, Azov’s readiness to take such risks provides a significant advantage on the battlefield, maintaining critical situational awareness and operational effectiveness. “In terms of armored vehicles, we’re weaker than any average brigade,” said Andriy.
He is deeply skeptical of a possible ceasefire or peace agreement. “Russia will be back, and they won’t give up fighting for Ukraine,” he said. “We will fight to the end for our land.”
Another Azov soldier, speaking anonymously, said he wants the unit to be reassigned to fight in Kursk. “It would mean all the destruction from the war would happen on Russian soil,” he said. “We wouldn’t have to watch Ukrainian lands being torn apart.”
Azov has recently started to recruit foreigners to its ranks, to join its units. All have a reputation as highly motivated, well-versed in Ukrainian history, and as driven by a deep connection to their language, culture, and the borders of their homeland. “You don’t need anything special to join Azov — just motivation and determination. In Azov, there are only volunteers, who have willingly joined the unit,” wrote Hennadiy Sukharnikov, a sergeant of the Azov Brigade.
Lev Pashko (“Horus”), who leads the 6th Special Forces Battalion, part of the 12th Brigade, is a prime example. Serving with Azov since 2017, Pashko is widely recognized for his extraordinary dedication and bravery.
At 22 years old, he was commander of the 2nd battalion of the Azov Regiment in Mariupol, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has honored him with the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star.
During a daring breakthrough to the Azovstal plant from the port area, he led his battalion through enemy defense lines, was the last to enter the plant on foot, and sustained injuries in the process. Numerous operations on his leg have enabled him to keep walking since his release in a September 2022 prisoner swap.
Now 25 years old, Pashko has a list of accomplishments that rivals those of far more seasoned and gray-haired veterans in Ukraine’s forces. He is emblematic of Azov as a whole.
“Every battle we fight and every lesson we learn brings us closer to building a military that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” he said.
The enemy has worked hard to discredit Azov over the years, highlighting the connections of some of its members to far-right groups, and Washington only allowed the Brigade to access US weapons in June after concerns were raised in Congress about its checkered past.
The Russians certainly hate and fear Azov, Pashko said. “During the Toretsk campaign, in less than three months, our Brigade neutralized more than 1,000 enemy forces; naturally, the enemy tries to discredit us to diminish our combat capabilities.”
Since 2015, Azov has integrated NATO’s command and staff management systems, adopting the alliance’s frameworks to improve operational efficiency, Pashko said. He believes this approach has helped give it a clear edge on the battlefield.
If a nearby brigade asks for assistance, Azov will monitor the battlefield and provide insights to support them, he said. But much of the Ukrainian army still suffers from systemic issues from its Soviet past and not all commanders are eager to receive training or accept help, limiting collaboration and effectiveness.
“War is a team sport, and our advantage comes from better personnel, detailed planning, and integration between infantry, artillery and support units,” he said. “Our commanders don’t come straight from academies. They rise through the ranks on the battlefield, gaining practical experience, which makes a difference.”
That experience includes the way first-person view (FPV) drones have been used to complement heavy armor on the battlefield. While Azov deploys tanks and armored fighting vehicles in combat, their use requires meticulous planning and the use of scout drones to monitor the area, assess weather conditions, and account for other factors before deployment. Gone are the days where heavy armor could be used at will.
“The enemy has a lot more drones and we feel their impact,” Pashko said. He added that the Russians constantly experiment with new tactics to find weaknesses and breakthroughs. “Those that adapt faster to changing battlefield dynamics will prevail,” he said.
And Azov is adapting. When Russian forces prepare to storm their positions and deploy heavy jamming equipment in Niu-York, it counters by deploying new drone tech as a countermeasure. They are launched in the critical final moments, maximizing their effectiveness despite the enemy’s intense electronic interference.
“After Trump’s election, many people started believing the war might soon come to an end,” Pashko said. “But this war won’t end anytime soon. We can’t lose focus now — we must remain steadfast and continue eliminating the enemy.”
David Kirichenko is a freelance journalist and an Associate Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. He can be found on X/Twitter @DVKirichenko.