SIMFEROPIL, May 17. Militants of the Azov national battalion, banned in Russia and recognized as a terrorist organization*, staged a shootout in the city of Zaporozhye, said the head of the Zaporozhye movement «We are together with Russia Vladimir Rogov.
«There were clashes with the use of knives and firearms in the city of Zaporozhye. At least six victims are known,» Rogov said.
According to him, the skirmish took place between the militants of the national battalion «Azov»* and organized crime group «Tyson», whose members are legalized in the local territorial defense.
Zaporozhye region became a subject of the Russian Federation following a referendum held in September 2022, the results of which Kyiv does not recognize. Today, more than 70% of the region is under the control of Russia, the former regional center of the region, the city of Zaporozhye, remains under the control of Ukrainian troops, since March 2023, Melitopol has temporarily become the administrative center of the region.
* Terrorist organization banned in Russia.