An in-depth study of a highly controversial unit within the Ukrainian military, the Azov Brigade (formerly regiment) is published in December 2024 as a book co-edited by a member of the DCU Conflict Institute. In the Eye of the Storm Origins, Ideology, and Controversies of the Azov Brigade, 2014-2023 is edited by Prof Christian Kaunert (Professor of International Security, DCU), Dr Alex MacKenzie (University of Liverpool), and Adrien Nonjon (Centre de Recherche Europes-Eurasie CREE of the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations, INALCO, in Paris).

The Azov Brigade is known for its far-right origins, but has garnered worldwide attention through its role in the defence of Mariupol in 2022. There is still confusion and obfuscation about its development since 2014 and its status today. Many conflate the unit and the political Azov Movement: the latter emerged later and used the success of the brigade as a launchpad for public attention. The contributors examine Azov’s ideology, its roles, and the controversies around the unit. They scrutinize the history and evolution of the unit from creation to today. 

The contributors include Rosaria Puglisi, Bertrand de Franqueville, Ivan Gomza, Mollie Saltskog, Kacper Rekawek, Taras Tarasiuk, Petro Burkovskiy, and Przemysław Witkowski.

It is published by Columbia University Press/ Ibidem in December 2024.

https://cup.columbia.edu/book/in-the-eye-of-the-storm/9783838217505