On December 1, information circulated in the Russian-language group Russian Canada-Русская Канада claiming that the patch worn on the arm of one of the members of the Ukrainian delegation, Andrii Hnatov, during talks with Rubio and Witkoff, displayed the symbol of the 36th Division of the Schutzstaffel (SS). On December 2, an identical photo and claim were also shared by a Russian-language Facebook account.
The claim that Andrii Hnatov wore a Nazi symbol on his patch during the meeting with the American delegation is disinformation. The symbol of the 36th SS Division consisted of two crossed grenades, whereas Hnatov’s patch actually features the symbol of the General Staff of Ukraine – two crossed pernach maces.
The Ukrainian and U.S. delegations met in Florida on November 30 to work on a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Photos from the meeting show that the Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine, Andrii Hnatov, is wearing a patch on his arm depicting two crossed pernach maces.
Other photos of Hnatov also show that he usually wears this patch on his left arm, while on his right arm he wears a patch with the image of the trident, one of Ukraine’s official national symbols.
The emblem of the 36th SS Division (also known as the Dirlewanger Brigade), mentioned in the circulated Facebook posts, consisted of crossed grenades (1; 2).
The Facebook posts present photos of the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in such a way that it is difficult to clearly distinguish what symbol is actually depicted on Hnatov’s patch.
This is not the first time that similar disinformation has been spread against Ukrainian officials. In June 2025, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation verified a claim that a member of the Ukrainian delegation who arrived for negotiations in Istanbul had a Nazi symbol on his patch. According to the Center, the patch did not show grenades but rather two pernach maces – the symbol of the General Staff of Ukraine.
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