By Annisa Essack
03:03:2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his speech on the eve of the attack on Ukraine, was the “demilitarisation and de-Nazification” of Ukraine, as well as bringing to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians.

Majed Abu Salama, journalist and scholar, spoke to Radio Islam International and said that a few parties in Ukraine ascribe to far-right ideologies. This increases as they believe this would make them closer to the Europeans. He added that the sentiments from many journalists who have provided racist commentaries prove this.

He pointed out that many of those escaping Ukraine are forced to go to countries where the neo-Nazi groups are prevalent; thus, we see the attacks on the refugees. Most of the groups are blatant racists and Islamophobic, which now means that Muslims and people of colour are under attack a second time.

A far-right neo-Nazi group, Azor has expanded to become part of the Ukrainian armed forces, thus being a street military and political party. Abu Salama calls them “ultra-nationalists” who harbour neo-Nazi and white supremacy ideology and have trained volunteers as gangs.

He also spoke of another the neo-Nazi Socialist National Assembly of SNA group who engaged in Xenophobic activity mostly against the Roma people.

These groups have become the so-called special forces fighting the Russians.

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