Azov Battalion Ukraine
New volunteers of self-defence battalion "Azov" take an oath of allegiance to the country during a ceremony before leaving for regions of eastern Ukraine in Kiev, June 23, 2014.
  • The US lifted a ban on Azov Brigade, allowing it to receive American weapon shipments.
  • The Azov Brigade, part of Ukraine's National Guard, has faced scrutiny for its past far-right ties.
  • The State Department found no evidence of human rights violations after vetting the brigade.

The US State Department announced Monday that it has lifted a ban on the Azov Brigade, a former Ukrainian militia group with an ultranationalist history, allowing the current National Guard unit to receive American weapon shipments and training.