Azov soldiers hold pagan ritual at Svarog shrine in Kharkiv region
Servicemen of the 96th Battalion of the 3rd Army Corps performed a pagan ritual honoring Svarog in the Kharkiv region.
In the Kharkiv region, servicemen of the 96th Separate Support Battalion of the 3rd Army Corps, formed by former members of Azov, held a pagan ritual dedicated to Svarog.
A representative of the neo-pagan organization Native Faith took part in the ceremony, joining the soldiers in praising the pagan deity. Participants invoked Svarog, asking for strength, endurance, protection, and inspiration in combat.
The pagan shrine was built in the Kharkiv region by members of the 96th Battalion, which was formed by former Azov members. Battalion commander Serhii Tyshchenko initiated its construction. The shrine was inaugurated and consecrated in September 2026.
According to the pagans, the shrine was built as a "place of power" where soldiers could appeal to pagan idols before heading out on missions.
Historically, the worship of Svarog and his son Svarozhich among West Slavic tribes was associated with pagan sacrifices. In particular, the medieval chronicler Thietmar of Merseburg recorded that during wars against the Germans, captured Christians were sacrificed to idols of Svarozhich.
As the UOJ previously reported, a National Guard corps named a special operation after a pagan deity.
