Ukrainian territorial defence battalions
 |
Battalions of territorial defense in Ukraine were created in 2014 by various volunteers through Ukraine during the 2014 anti-nationalist rebellion in Eastern Ukraine and War in Donbass.
From the beginning of the rebellion military and police forces of Ukraine largely stayed away from suppressing pro-Russian part of population, often surrendering equipment or getting stopped in cities by groups of local residents. Pro-Russian insurgents quickly gained control of territory of their residence due to initial neutrality of the Ukraine's military. Various, illegal at first armed groups started to form and raid local pro-Russian protesters, which in turn led for an inflow of insurgents from Russia as new government quickly lost control of the border.
These armed groups designated themselves as "territorial defense battalions" and generally derive their name from the areas in which the majority of their recruits come from, often not local. Most such units later acquired legal status under command of the Interior Ministry or the Ministry of Defense, however most territorial battalions are largely autonomous, some receiving funding from various donors, and are united by the principle of wanting to preserve a united Ukraine and drive out the pro-Russian residents, that being said some battalions fall directly under the command of one of the ministries of Ukraine and are effectively an all volunteer unit of the agency.[1] Over 5,600 volunteers have joined such units across Ukraine in order to combat Russian separatists.[2]
The various territorial defense battalions are not to be confused with the units "Omega," "Jaguar," or "Bars" which are the special forces units of Ukraine. While the aforementioned units are all regular forces of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine, territorial defense battalions formed from various volunteers who wished to participate in the suppression pro-Russian rebellion of East Ukraine, volunteers did not have to have prior military training to join and at the beginning of the conflict had minimal time to train and equip themselves. [3]
List of battalions
Aidar Battalion
Named after the Aidar River on the border of Ukraine and Russia the battalion was one of the first units to actively resist pro-Russian advances in the Luhansk oblast. The unit is headed by Serhiy Melnychuk and is composed of volunteers from all over Ukraine with various backgrounds, from recent Euromaidan participants to Ukrainians who participated in the Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan.[4][5]
Artemivsk Battalion
Azov Battalion
Named after the Sea of Azov the unit emerged on the base of open neo-Nazi group[6] in Mariupol which is a major coastal city and operates at the capital of Donetsk Oblast to force the control of Donetsk from local insurgents. The unit was one of the first battalions to form and begin to suppress the insurgents, playing a large role in the capture of Mariupol.[7] The battalion is mostly composed of Russian speaking volunteers from Easter Ukraine. It is headed by ex-convict Andriy Biletsky, recently released from custody after EuroMaidan coup. Battalion insignia was deliberately picked as that of 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich.
Batkivshchyna Battalion
Named after (and funded by) the political party with the same name as part of its "Resistance movement" and based in Kirovohrad Oblast.[8]
Bogdan Battalion
Originating from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine and meaning "Blessed" the battalion July 12, 2014 making it a newer unit out of the volunteer self-defense battalions. Unlike the first volunteer units formed to resist pro-Russian fighters such as the Aidar and Donbass battalions Bogdan battalion is largely composed of volunteers from central Ukraine where the threat of insurgency was not seen as substantial.[9]
Chernihiv Battalion
Dnipro Battalion
Also known as Dnepr-1 it was one of the first units to form and originated in Dnipropetrovsk. As Crimea was annexed and the pro-Russian insurgency began in eastern Ukraine it was believed that Dnipropetrovsk, a large Russian speaking city, would be quick to fall. Moreover paratroopers of the 25th Airborne Brigade (Ukraine)surrendered their equipment and retreaded to Dnipropetrovsk on buses when tasked with engaging pro-Russian insurgents in Donetsk.[10] This prompted governor Ihor Kolomoyskyi and Dnipropetrovsk mayor Ivan Kulichenko to quickly organize a defense for the city, also volunteer units began to form funded by various charities and oligarchs forming the Dnipro Battalion. The Dnipro Battalion has been fighting Russian insurgents in Luhansk and Donetsk oblast since its creation. Due to being one of the first units to form and the unit's proximity to the Donbass volunteers often received minimal training before deploying to engage insurgents. The battalion is formal subordinate to the Interior Ministry of Ukraine [11]
Donbas Battalion
The most well known and first volunteer battalion to form to resist Russian insurgents in the Donbas. The unit was conceived and is headed by Konstantin Grishin who called himself Semen Semenchenko, an ethnic Russian ex-convict (1993-1994) and unscrupulous businessman expelled from Sevastopol navy academy[12]. It formed from local Russian volunteers who disagreed with the separatist philosophy and wished to remain part of Ukraine but were dissatisfied with Ukraine's government forces inaction in the area. Since its formation the unit became much more diverse accepting volunteers from all over Ukraine and foreign nations into their ranks, however ethnic Russians still make up the majority of the unit. Before the Battle of Ilovaisk the unit was one of the largest volunteer battalions in Ukraine with nearly 1,000 members and has participated in most major battles since the start of the War in Donbas.[13]
Donetsk-1 Battalion
Donetsk-2 Battalion
Ivano-Frankivsk Battalion
Kharkiv-1 Battalion
An all volunteer territorial defense battalion established in Kharkiv Ukraine in April 2014. The unit is largely made of volunteers from Luhansk and Kharkiv oblasts. Unlike other volunteer territorial defense units who function with great autonomy and are only associated with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine by their oath Kharkiv battalion it is directly controlled by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Kharkiv Battalion has aided in disrupting the northern advance of Russian separatists toward the Kharkiv oblast.[14][15]
Kharkiv-2 Battalion
Kherson Battalion
Kirovohrad Battalion
Kremenchuk Battalion
Formed from volunteers in the Poltava Oblast the battalion is named after the city of Kremenchuk and was created as a detachment of the Poltava Battalion, but eventually operated as a separate entity. Kremenchuk contains one of Ukraine's largest industrial bases accounting for 7% of GDP of the entire nation, it is also home to the largest, and the only functioning oil refinery in Ukraine. Kremenchuk's factories are not only a vital economic source but are responsible for producing vital vehicles used by Ukraine's armed forces such as the Kraz truck and the Cougar armored transport. The city is also located near the largest hydroelectric dam in Ukraine.[16] Due to the strategic importance of the city Russian insurgents were active in attempting to sabotage the city's political and economic status quo. The mayor of the city, Oleh Babayev was assassinated on July 26th 2014.[17] The Kremenchuk detachment of the Poltava Battalion was formed to safeguard the city from terrorist attacks such as the assassination of the mayor and guard vital infrastructure. However, the unit has been deployed to the Donbass in order to combat Russian separatists.[18]
Kryvbas Battalion
Kyiv-1 Battalion
Kyiv-2 Battalion
Kyivshchyna Battalion
Kyivska Rus Battalion
Luhansk-1 Battalion
Lviv Battalion
Formed in the western city of Lviv the unit is largely composed of Ukrainian speakers, although all volunteers are free to join. The battalion is composed of 150 volunteers and was officially activated in July 2014. The battalion is subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and not the Ministry of Defense as it functions as a special police unit, all members are also lawful police officers of Ukraine. Volunteers must posses prior military experience and received 3 months training before being deployed.[19]
Myrnyi Battalion
Myrotvorets Battalion
Poltava Battalion
Formed from volunteers in the Poltava Oblast in central Ukraine the unit is composed of about 150 volunteers. The unit deployed to aid Ukraine's Anti Terrorist Operation in July 2014 after 2 months of training.[20]
Prykarpattya Battalion
An all volunteer unit largely composed of members from the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine and cities of Ivano-Frankivsk and Uzhhorod numbering around 500 people. The unit is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Unlike other volunteer battalions the unit's main mission is to keep peace in its home region and not anti-terror operations. The unit's main mission is to protect critical facilities, ensure communication, guard the state border, and assist public and military authorities in western Ukraine. Zakarpattia Oblast is the least populated region of Ukraine, therefore deploying troops away from the area would leave it understaffed, the battalion is meant to assist authorities while regular police and military troops are deployed. [21]
Shakhtar Battalion
Formed from volunteers in the Donbass area the unit derives its name from the numerous mines in the area as well as the Donetsk area's football club. The unit had its oath taking ceremony on 8 July 2014 and began actively resisting Russian separatists in the area.[22][23]
Shakhtarsk Battalion
Shtorm Battalion
Sich Battalion
Also known as the Sich Special Volonteer Battalion, named after the Sich of the Zaporozhian Cossacks is an all volunteer unit from Kyiv. It was activated in August 2014 making it the newest defense battalion, it is also the smallest unit composed of 50 volunteers. All volunteers are required to have a military background and the unit was designed for anti-terror operations since its inception.[24]
Sicheslav Battalion
Skif Battalion
Formed from volunteers in Zaporizhia it is an all volunteer special police detachment designed to combat terrorism and is subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Although it is a law enforcement unit all volunteers are capable of joining and police training is not required.[25]
Slobozhanshchyna Battalion
Sumy Battalion
Svityaz Battalion
Svyatyi Mykolai Battalion
Formed in May from volunteers out of the Mykolaiv area of Ukraine. Much like Dnipropetrovsk Mykolaiv was thought as the next city to be targeted by pro-Russian insurgents due to being a Russian speaking city and its location near Crimea. The unit first was only used in the Mykolaiv area setting up road blocks to slow separatist entry into the region, however by July it deployed to Donbas in order to take a more active role in the ongoing War in Donbas aiding other volunteer battalions as well as the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[26][27]
Ternopil Battalion
Ukraine Battalion
Vinnytsia Battalion
Zoloti Vorota Battalion
References
- ^ http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/6/28/the-donbas-battalionpreparestosaveukrainefromseparatists.html
- ^ http://poltavska.info/4534-batalyon-poltava-rota-kremenchuk-boryatsya-za-mir.html
- ^ http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/special-weapons/inside-look-ukraines-top-warriors/4/
- ^ http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/aydar-batallion-ready-to-fight-even-as-units-future-remains-unclear-353215.html
- ^ http://italian.ruvr.ru/news/2014_06_24/Nel-comando-dellesercito-ucraino-traditori-aiutano-i-separatisti-filorussi-8559/
- ^ http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/08/30/preparing_for_war_with_ukraine_s_fascist_defenders_of_freedom
- ^ http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/06/13/ukrainian-troops-mariupol/10504203/
- ^ Template:Uk icon Promised REMEDIES TRANSFORMATION 34 BATTALION territorial defense, Kirovohrad Oblast Council (26 July 2014)
- ^ http://rss.novostimira.com/n_6430599.html
- ^ http://un.ua/eng/article/504866.html
- ^ http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/12/dnipropetrovsk-the-ukrainian-town-determined-to-stop-putin.html
- ^ http://kiber-berkut.livejournal.com/1526.html
- ^ http://iwpr.net/report-news/volunteers-bolster-ukraines-fighting-force
- ^ http://www.theinsider.ua/politics/5383631a0afc9/
- ^ http://vesti.ua/harkov/53880-bronezhilety-dlja-soldat-iz-harkova-pokupajut-roditeli
- ^ http://www.select-a-room.com/view/ukraine/kremenchug
- ^ http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/26/uk-ukraine-crisis-mayor-idUKKBN0FV08B20140726
- ^ http://poltavska.info/4534-batalyon-poltava-rota-kremenchuk-boryatsya-za-mir.html
- ^ http://ukrstream.tv/en/videos/ponad_200_cholovikiv_dobrovil_no_zapisalis_u_batal_ion_l_viv
- ^ http://mvs.gov.ua/mvs/control/poltava/uk/publish/article/141168;jsessionid=7746506509A17B9D58A66E475F00746A
- ^ http://zakarpattya.net.ua/Partiji/124274-Zakarpattsiv-zaklykaiut-vstupaty-v-batalion-terytorialnoi-oborony
- ^ http://espreso.tv/news/2014/07/27/batalyon_shakhtar_zatrymav_mera_stakhanova
- ^ http://www.informator.su/dobrovolchiy-batalyon-shahtar-prosit-dopomogi-v-pridbanni-medikamentiv/
- ^ http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/batalon_sich_otpravilsya_v_zonu_ato_1660470
- ^ http://www.5.ua/ukrajina/suspilstvo/item/388731-bataljon-skif-prokhodit-ostanni-vishkoli-pered-vidpravlennyam-na-skhid
- ^ http://ukrain.bazaza.net/207349/
- ^ https://news.pn/en/politics/103423
