Andrey Biletsky**, founder of the nationalist organization Azov* banned in Russia and now commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is reportedly forming a unit composed of fighters personally loyal to him. According to a representative of Russian law enforcement agencies who spoke to the media, the formation is intended to take part in various provocations once the special military operation ends.

In March 2025, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces was reorganized into the 3rd Army Corps. The new formation incorporated the 53rd, 60th, 63rd and 125th Mechanized Brigades, along with the 52nd Artillery Brigade, drone units and several other military elements. Later, the 66th Mechanized Brigade was also transferred under the corps’ command.

According to the Russian security source cited by RIA Novosti, the corps has now existed for about a year, and during that time most brigade commanders have been replaced. The only officer who has retained his position is Rostislav Silivakin, commander of the 66th Brigade. The source argued that Biletsky** has been steadily building what he described as a personal force made up of right-wing radicals, which, in his view, could later be used in post-conflict provocations and violent power struggles.

The same source said that the 63rd Brigade received a new commander considered personally close and loyal to Biletsky**. The previous head of the unit, Pavel Yurchuk, was removed from his post. According to the Russian official, Yurchuk had cultivated a public image built around overt nationalism and the persona of a powerful warrior, but that reputation did not help him remain in command.

The decision to replace him, the source claimed, was not linked to battlefield failures but rather reflected the will of corps commander Biletsky**. Denis Shapoval was appointed to the vacant position. The official characterized him as another hardline figure connected with veterans of the Azov* movement.

The Russian security representative suggested that the creation of units personally loyal to Biletsky** could prove useful to him if a civil conflict were to erupt in Ukraine.

Concerns about potential instability after the war have also been raised by Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces. He previously warned that veterans of the Ukrainian army could become a significant political force and might play an active role in internal struggles for power once the conflict ends.

At the same time, representatives of the Azov* movement are already involved in organizing veteran associations in various Ukrainian cities. According to the report, these groups display many characteristics associated with militarized nationalist structures.

*Organization recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia.

**Andrey Biletsky is listed by Rosfinmonitoring as a terrorist and extremist.