War in Ukraine
![Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Ukraine Conditions Ceasefire Extension on Russian Compliance")
![Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha speaks during an interview in Kyiv on May 1, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha speaks during an interview in Kyiv on May 1, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Azov Brigade Ukraine military Mariupol defense combat unit]( "Top 10 Facts About the Azov Brigade That May Surprise You")
- Author
![Photo of Yurii Marchenko]( "Photo of Yurii Marchenko")
- Category
- War in Ukraine
“Azov” is one of Ukraine’s most well-known military units. Today marks its 12th anniversary. But behind the name lies more than just the heroic defense of Mariupol under complete encirclement or successful operations. It is a story of constant transformation, military innovation, and tangible battlefield results. Here are ten facts that help explain why “Azov” is more than just a unit.Newsletter
Subscribe to updates and get important information first
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply
![Azovstal defenders Russian captivity prisoner exchange Ukraine war survivors]( "They Survived Azovstal and Russian Captivity — Then They Found Each Other")
- Author
![Photo of Daniel Kosoy]( "Photo of Daniel Kosoy")
- Category
- Interview
Olha and Dmytro’s love story began alongside Ukraine’s darkest chapters: Mariupol, Azovstal, Olenivka, captivity. They’d only meet by chance after returning home.![Soviet Union maritime aviation Be-12 in 1990. (Source: Wikimedia)]( "Soviet Union maritime aviation Be-12 in 1990. (Source: Wikimedia)")
![Russian servicemen await the rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade, to be held at Red Square, in central Moscow on May 4, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Russian servicemen await the rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade, to be held at Red Square, in central Moscow on May 4, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)")
![MiG-31K fighter jet carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic missile flies over Red Square during a Victory Day parade in Moscow, June 24, 2020. (Source: Getty Images)]( "MiG-31K fighter jet carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic missile flies over Red Square during a Victory Day parade in Moscow, June 24, 2020. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Rendering of Russia’s SERP anti-drone system, a vehicle-mounted electronic warfare unit designed to counter FPV drones with 360-degree coverage. (Source: Russian media)]( "Rendering of Russia’s SERP anti-drone system, a vehicle-mounted electronic warfare unit designed to counter FPV drones with 360-degree coverage. (Source: Russian media)")
![Civilians are evacuated with the support of volunteers from the humanitarian organization East-SOS during ongoing fighting in Pokrovke, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on February 28, 2026. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Ukraine Evacuates 2000 Residents Including 500 Children From Southern Frontlines in 2026")
![Illustrative image. Russian ZALA Lancet drone render. (Source: Russian media)]( "Illustrative image. Russian ZALA Lancet drone render. (Source: Russian media)")
![Launch of a Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile during a long-range strike operation. (Source: 19th Missile Brigade “Saint Barbara”)]( "Launch of a Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile during a long-range strike operation. (Source: 19th Missile Brigade “Saint Barbara”)")
![Former prisoners who signed a contract to join the Ukrainian army do tactical military training on June 15, 2024, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Former prisoners who signed a contract to join the Ukrainian army do tactical military training on June 15, 2024, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. (Source: Getty Images)")
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) attend a joint press conference at the Chancellery on April 14, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. (Source: Getty Images)]( "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) attend a joint press conference at the Chancellery on April 14, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. (Source: Getty Images)")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-6b8956ebc9d213fd2e7bbc6e6b43a37f.png "They Survived Azovstal and Russian Captivity — Then They Found Each Other")
Newsletter
Subscribe to updates and get important information first
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply