Schwerin neo-Nazi fought in Ukraine – why is the Interior Ministry silent?

A 26-year-old neo-Nazi from Schwerin traveled to Ukraine to fight against Russia. He was apparently active in the right-wing extremist micro-party " The Third Way " in the past, according to research by NDR.

According to the report, the man is said to have fought in the German Volunteer Corps (DFK) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This unit is part of the 49th Infantry Battalion of the Ukrainian Army. German right-wing extremists organize within it to fight the "red plague" of a "neo-Bolshevik Russia," according to an interview with a DFK fighter on the "Third Way" party website. "The Third Way" is a micro-party with a strong nationalist, neo-Nazi leanings.

According to the report, inquiries to the Ukrainian embassy remained unanswered, and the Schwerin Interior Ministry rejected such inquiries, citing privacy rights. The man has since returned to Germany. However, according to information from the Baden-Württemberg State Office of Criminal Investigation, this is not an isolated case.

Security authorities warn: The right-wing extremist volunteers are more dangerous upon their return than before due to their weapons training and the combat experience they have gained. There is also a risk that they will smuggle military weapons from the area back into the EU . The Federal Intelligence Service warns: "Volunteers fighting in Ukraine for extremist reasons pose an increased risk upon their return."