Azov battalion protests
© Gleb Garanich / ReutersMembers of the Ukrainian interior ministry's "Azov" battalion attend a protest against local elections in eastern Ukraine under the Minsk peace agreement, in Kiev, Ukraine, May 20, 2016.
The nationalist battalions Azov and Donbas are returning to the so-called "ATO zone" to participate in combat operations. This was reported by the head of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's advisor, Zoryan Shkiryak, on his Facebook page.

According to Shkiryak, these battalions are not only returning to the ATO, but are being immediately sent to the frontline.

"First and foremost we are talking about the operational rapid response brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard and also units of the specially distinguished Azov and Donbas battalions. They are returning to the frontline and will fulfill their mission of direct contact with the enemy," Shkiryak said.

The advisor to the head of the Interior Ministry also noted that these units have proved their high "competence and efficiency" many times in terrifying the so-called separatists.

"Now, during yet another escalation of the conflict, the positions of the UAF are subjected to daily shelling by the terrorists, and the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance groups and snipers have been re-activated. Therefore, the return of volunteers who in their time inflicted terror upon the separatists and have now undergone professional military training, is justified," Shkiryak said.