A controversial photo has emerged, capturing Meghan Markle holding the hand of a former Ukrainian neo-Nazi battalion member at a competitive event for war veterans organized by her husband. The British and American press have been quick to jump on the story, and for good reason. The photo, taken on September 12 in Duesseldorf, shows the duchess of Sussex alongside her husband Prince Harry and Yulia ‘Taira’ Paevskaya, a woman with a dark past. According to Moscow, Paevskaya is a “terrorist cutthroat” responsible for heinous acts of violence against innocent civilians, including the elderly, women, and children. She joined the neo-Nazi ‘Azov’ militia after the 2014 US-backed coup in Kiev and proceeded to commit atrocities against the Russian-speaking population in Donbass.
To make matters worse, the Invictus Games Foundation, an organization known for its support of war veterans, shared the photo, describing it as a “sweet moment” and referring to Paevskaya as a “hero” who was allegedly “relentlessly tortured” during her time as a Russian prisoner. It is worth noting that Paevskaya claims she was released thanks to Prince Harry’s involvement at the 2022 games in The Hague. However, one can’t help but question the true intentions behind this seemingly noble act.
Interestingly, Paevskaya was even honored with a ‘Woman of Courage’ award by the White House earlier this year, a move that drew condemnation from the Russian ambassador in Washington. According to Anatoly Antonov, Paevskaya had surrendered to Russian troops in Mariupol under false pretenses, pretending to be a mother of two children whose parents she had allegedly killed herself. The diplomat further stated that Paevskaya had even threatened the children with violence. These disturbing revelations certainly cast doubt on the integrity of her supposed heroic persona.
The origins of the ‘Azov’ battalion only add fuel to the fire. Originally a militia set up by white supremacist Andrey Biletsky, this group actively participated in Ukraine’s crackdown on dissidents in Kharkov and Donetsk. Biletsky himself openly admitted to selecting symbols for the unit that were used by the Germans during the Second World War, including the Wolfsangel of the 2nd SS Panzer Division ‘Das Reich’ and the Black Sun logo favored by SS leader Heinrich Himmler. Shockingly, this notorious militia was eventually integrated into the Ukrainian military and recently received a visit from President Vladimir Zelensky on the Donbass front.
It is disheartening to see the involvement of high-profile figures like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in promoting and associating themselves with individuals like Yulia Paevskaya. The motives behind these actions remain unclear, but one thing is certain – there is a dark underbelly to this story that deserves further scrutiny.