Separatist
forces of the War in Donbass, or the United Armed Forces of
Novorossiya (Russian: Объединённые Вооруженные Силы
Новороссии; acronym NAF)
is the umbrella name for the militias and armed volunteer groups affiliated with the defunct
political union called Novorossiya (New Russia). It consists
of the Donbass People's Militia, the Luhansk People's Militia and
autonomous armed groups. They are regarded as terrorist groups by the Government of Ukraine.
The
Donbass People's Militia was formed by Pavel
Gubarev, who was elected "People's Governor" of Donetsk Oblast by
pro-Russian protesters. It was
originally involved in taking control of Ukrainian government buildings in the Donetsk
oblast. Tensions increased to the point of the militia being actively
involved in fighting a war against the Ukrainian government in the Donbass region
of Ukraine. The militia was accused by the Ukrainian government of culpability
in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on 17 July
2014. The militias of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, merged into
one group on 16 September 2014, forming the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".
It
is widely believed that the separatists are supported by Russian armed forces.
Although the Russian government often denies direct involvement stating that
their soldiers were there voluntarily and not under orders, some of them were
detained riding their combat vehicles with documents proving their origin in
Russian armed forces. Moreover, separatists admitted receiving supplies from
Russia and being trained there. BBC reported that separatist ranks are composed
of thousands of Russian citizens, and NATO accused Russia of deploying their
regular troops into Ukraine. Registered Cossacks of
the Russian Federation have been reported to be supporting separatists in
the conflict as well. Head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, claimed in August
2014 that there are around 3,000 to 4,000 Russian volunteers fighting for the
militia, which includes current and many retired Russian Army servicemen.
History
On
3 March 2014, during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine,
protesters took control of the regional administration building in Donetsk. A newly
created armed opposition group named the Donbass People's Militia participated
in it and was led by Pavel Gubarev. This
happened when 11 Ukrainian cities with significant populations of ethnic
Russians erupted in demonstrations against the new Ukrainian government. On 6
April 2014, 2,000 pro-Russian protesters rallied
outside the regional administration building. In the same day, groups of
protesters in Eastern Ukraine stormed the regional administration
building in Kharkiv,
and the SBU headquarters in Luhansk. The
groups created a people's council and demanded a referendum
like in Crimea. Within a few days, several government buildings in cities such
as Kramatorsk
and Sloviansk
were also stormed. On 12 April, the supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic
and members of Donbass People's Militia set up checkpoints and barricades in Sloviansk.
The same day, former members of the Donetsk "Berkut"
unit joined the ranks of the Donbass People's Militia.
On
13 April, the newly established Ukrainian government gave the separatists a
deadline to disarm or face a "full-scale anti-terrorist campaign" in
the region. Later that day, the first reports of fighting was reported between
the people's militia and Ukrainian troops near Sloviansk, with casualties on
both sides. On 14 April, members of the Donbass People's Militia blocked
Ukrainian military KrAZ
truck's armed with Grad missiles from entering the city. On 15 April, a
full scale "Anti-Terrorist Operation" was launched by the
Ukrainian government with aim of restoring their authority over the areas
seized by the militia.
Sloviansk city council
under control of armed forces. The masked men are holding Kalashnikov assault
rifles (AK-74) and having rocket launchers on their backs (very similar to
Soviet/Russian RPG-26).
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On
16 April, the militia entered Sloviansk with six BMD airborne
amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicles they obtained
from parts of the 25th Airborne Brigade who had
switched allegiance. The "occupants" were disarmed after the vehicles
were blockaded by locals. The militia also received one self-propelled
120 mm mortar 2S9 "Nona-S" On April 20, an unidentified armed
group in civilian clothes attacked a Militia checkpoint at the entrance to the
city of Sloviansk. Three attackers and three members of Militia were killed. On
May 14, eight members of Militia seized an IMR armored vehicle from Novokramatorsky
Mashinostroitelny Zavod.
On
May 15, the Donbass People's Militia sent an ultimatum to Kiev. They ordered
the withdraw all Ukrainian troops from Donetsk
oblast. On May 17, several members of the militia seized two BRDM unarmed armored
vehicles from Severodonetsk and Lysychansk
(Luhansk
Oblast) On May 22, the Federal State of Novorossiya was
declared. On May 23, several members of people's militia seized another BRDM-RKh unarmed
armored vehicle from Loskutovka (Luhansk
Oblast)
The
militia were widely suspected to be involved in the downing of a civilian
airliner, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, on 17 July
2014.
On
August 8, the militia claimed that after battles near border with Russia, they
captured 67 pieces of equipment with varying status (serviceable equipment
without ammunition and fuel, with faults, damaged in battle and completely
unusable), including 18 multiple rocket launching systems "Grad", 15
tanks and armored personnel carriers, howitzers, MANPADS, etc. As of August 12,
the militia has at least 200 armored vehicles.
The
months of July and early August were disastrous for the militias with many
analysts saying they were on the verge of defeat before a sudden
counteroffensive, which the Ukrainian Government claims was supported by
Russian troops, encircled thousands of Ukrainian troops and
forced them into a retreat. The militias soon re-captured several strategic
positions such as Savur-Mohyla and Luhansk International Airport. The
armies of both the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) merged on
16 September 2014 to form the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".
On
2 February 2015, Head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, announced that there would be a general mobilization in
the DPR of 10,000 volunteers, and he aimed to eventually expand the NAF to
100,000 soldiers.
DPR troops in Donetsk during a
rehearsal for the 2015 Victory Day Parade
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On
20 May 2015 the leadership of the Federal State of Novorossiya announced the
termination of the confederation 'project' but the United Armed Forces was
retained as the joint armed service of the DPR and LPR.
On
14 September 2015, there was a war banner ceremony at the newly established
Donetsk Higher Military Command School. Zakharchenko addressed the new
students, and congratulated them by saying they will be the officers to lead
the DPR Armed Forces and resolve all conflicts. Mikhail Tikhonov is the head of
the school.
In
June 2016, the Donetsk People's Republic estimated that around 40,000 volunteer
reserves can be mobilized in case of renewed fighting.
Vostok Brigade the Defenders of Novorossiya
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NAF
Fighters
[PHOTO
SOURCE: https://web.facebook.com/1595649227339024/photos/pb.1595649227339024.-2207520000.1458979278./1722839334620012/?type=3&theater]
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Structure
The
militias consist of different armed groups, which took the oath for Donetsk
People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. Militant groups which refused
to do it were disarmed as gangs in the DPR. Other groups are autonomous forces.
According
to The Ukrainian Week, there is a Donetsk Operative
Command set up in May 2016 by Russia that coordinates military efforts of the
Donetsk People's Republic. The tank battalions they claim Russia can deploy is
the DPR Diesel Battalion, and LPR August Battalion.
Combat
forces
Donetsk
People's Republic
Donbass
People's Militia
(Russian: Народное ополчение Донбасса)- North Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Север») (unofficial)
- 1st Sloviansk Brigade (Russian: 1-й Славянская бригада) – Brigade that was formerly commanded by Igor Strelkov.
- Patriotic Forces of Donbass (Russian: Патриотические силы Донбасса)
- Vostok Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Восток», meaning "East Brigade") – Special forces brigade that was founded and led by Alexander Khodakovsky. It has foreign volunteers including Russians and North Ossetians. Began as a battalion, and as of June 2014 had about 500 men according to Khodakovsky. It later increased to a brigade.
- Svarog Battalion – The battalion was formed by members of the Rodnovery (Slavic native faith) movement, at its peak 1,200 fighters, which is now part of the Vostok Brigade.
Oplot Brigade during a rehearsal for the 2015
Victory Day parade
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The emblem of the Oplot Battalion; a
separatist militia active in eastern Ukraine.
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- Oplot Brigade (Russian: Батальон «Оплот», meaning "Bulwark Battalion") – Commanded by Alexander Zakharchenko. Originally a battalion, it expanded to a brigade by May 2015.
Pavel Shulzhenok, a Russian Orthodox deacon
from the Alexandr Nevskyi Church in St.Petersburg, during his visit to ДНР\ЛНР
separatists. Summer 2014.
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The flag of the
Russian Orthodox Army; a paramilitary group in Ukraine.
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- Russian Orthodox Army (Russian: Русская православная армия) – A senior commander of the unit is Alexander Verin. One of the armed groups, which control Donetsk, formed mostly by locals from coal mine towns. It reportedly had 100 members at the time of its founding. According to Ukrainian sources, in June 2014 has at least 350 fighters. According to independent sources as fighting between separatists and the Ukrainian government worsened in Donbass, membership rose to 4,000.
One
of the battalion Kalmius fighters at the checkpoint of the seized military unit
on June 27, 2014 in Donetsk.
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Service sleeve insignia of the Kalmius
Battalion
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- Miner's Division (Russian: Шахтёрская дивизия) – Founded shortly after the rebel withdrawal from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. It is commanded by Konstantin Kuzmin. Fighters typically range from ages 22–60. Composed of former coal miners.
- Kalmius Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Кальмиус») – Special forces brigade commanded by Sergei Petrovskiy.
- Consolidated Orthodox Battalion "Voshod" or Voshod Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Восход», meaning "Sunrise Battalion") – Formed in June 2014, it had 300 fighters.
- Steppe Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Степь»)
- DPR Security Service Battalion (Russian: Батальон службы безопасности Донецкой народной республики) – Security Service of the Donetsk People's Republic.
23 February 2016 - on Defender of the
Fatherland Day, Motorola visited all the positions the Sparta battalion,
congratulated the servicemen on the holiday, and awarded them with the second
class order “Sparta”.
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The SSI of the Sparta Battalion; a Special
Forces unit in the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya led by Arsen Pavlov (also
referred to as Motorola/Моторо́ла).
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- Sparta Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Спарта») – Special forces battalion led by Arseny Pavlov, known by the call sign Motorola. Includes Russians, fighters typically have helmets and modern personal equipment.
- 1st Separate Battalion-Tactical Group "Somalia" or Somalia Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Сомали») – Tactical group led by Lieutenant colonel Mikhail Tolstykh, known by the call sign Givi.
- DPR Republican Guard (Russian: Республиканская гвардия ДНР) – Elite unit created by Alexander Zakharchenko on January 12, 2015. Commanded by Major-general Ivan Kondratov, and is composed of six battalions that totals more than 3,000 fighters.
- Diesel Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Дизель») – Separate tank battalion formed in 2015 that is equipped with Russian equipment, including T-72B1s.
- Mariupol-Khingan Naval Infantry (Russian: Мариупольско-Хинганский морская пехота) - Formed in 2016. The name is based on the World War 2 Soviet 221st Infantry Mariupol-Khingan Red Banner Order of Suvorov Division.
Independent
DPR forces
International Battalions – Includes Russian, Chechen, Greek, Ossetian, Polish, Hungarian, Serbian, Latvian, Belarusian, Uzbek, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Armenian and other volunteers.
- Orthodox Dawn (Bulgarian: Православна Зора) – Bulgarian volunteer group.
- Legion of Saint Stephen (Russian: Легион Святого Иштвана) – Hungarian subgroup of international battalions. The group espouses a Hungarian nationalist platform, demanding self-determination for the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia Oblast, and has been accused of being close to the far-right Jobbik party in Hungary.
- Jovan Šević Detachment (Serbian: одред «Јован Шевић») – Serbian Chetnik-led group commanded by Bratislav Živković, has 250 fighters. In October 2014 the fighters returned to Serbia.
- Death Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Смерть») – Chechen volunteer group.
Varyag Battalion (Russian:
Батальон «Варяг»),
meaning "Varangian Battalion") – Volunteer battalion commanded
by Alexander Matyushin.
RNU Volunteer Units – Includes
volunteers from Russian National Unity and other Neo-nazi
organizations.
Luhansk
People's Republic
LPR People's
Militia
(Russian: Народная милиция ЛНР). Formerly known as Army of the South-East (Russian:
Армия Юго-Востока) until late 2014. - Zarya Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Заря», meaning "Dawn Battalion") – Commanded by Andrei Patrushev. Includes Russian volunteers – national-bolsheviks, members of The Other Russia.
- Leshiy Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Леший», meaning "Forest-spirit Battalion") – Special forces battalion commanded by Aleksey Pavlov.
- 1st Separate Mechanized Brigade "August" or August Battalion – The only tank battalion in the LPR People's Militia.
Independent
LPR forces
- Great Host of Don Cossacks (Russian: Всевеликое войско Донское) – An international organisation that recruits volunteers from Ukraine and Russia.
- Cossack National Guard (Russian: Казачья Национальная гвардия) – Don Cossack volunteer group commanded by Rashid Shakirzanov. The group has over 4,000 fighters and have access to armor and artillery. From May to November 2014, the group was commanded by Ataman Nikolai Kozitsyn. Kozitsyn was forcbly removed from power in November 2014 and replaced by Shakirzanov. The group's headquarters is in Antratsyt, and their rule expands to Krasnyi Luch. Initially, this group was identified as Russian Special Forces by the U.S. State Department following the takeover of the Sloviansk city council. In November 2014, the group instated capital punishment in Perevalsk to deter crime. Kozitsyn stated that there is no more marauding, burglaries or car-jacking in the city. They refused to join the LPR's military command but insist on cooperating with them, remaining autonomous and controlling territory.
- First Cossack Regiment (Russian: Первый казачий полк) – Don Cossack volunteer group commanded by Ataman Pavel Dryomov. The group has around 1,300 fighters, and the headquarters is in Stakhanov. Originally part of Kozitsyn's Cossack National Guard until it split in September 2014. Dryomov denounced the LPR's leadership as being corrupt and "pro-oligarchic". Dryomov was killed on 12 December 2015 when his car was blown up by an unknown perpetrator the day after his wedding.
- Mechanized Brigade "Prizrak" or Prizrak Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Призрак», meaning "Ghost Brigade") – Mechanized infantry brigade that is commanded by Yuri Shevchenko. It was formed and led by Aleksey Mozgovoy until his assassination on 23 May 2015. The group keeps its distance from the LPR authorities and is based in Alchevsk and the surrounding district.
- Continental Unit (French: Unité Continentale) – French, Serbian and Brazilian volunteer group.
- Unit #404 – International communist volunteer group commanded by Piotr Biriukov.
Disbanded
- United Battalions of the DPR and LPR.
- North Battalion
- Prizrak Battalion
The flag of the Rapid Response Group
"Batman"; part of the Special Forces of the self-proclaimed Lugansk
People's Republic.
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- Rapid Response Group "Batman" or Batman Battalion (Russian: Группа быстрого реагирования «Бэтмен») – Commanded by Alexander Bednov until he was killed in an attack on his convoy on 1 January 2015. Members of the group said that the attack was ordered by head of the Luhansk People's Republic Igor Plotnitsky. Following this attack, the LPR arrested some of Bednov's men, and dissolved the battalion. Some of its personnel were dispersed into other LPR units, while DPR field commanders Givi and Motorola invited former members to join their battalions.
Rusich unit (In summer 2014 these guys
clashed against US-backed battalion “Aidar”. The result was: over 30 killed
pro-Kiev militants vs 1 injured Rusich warrior).
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The kolovrat [spinning wheel] represents the
Sun and is a symbol of the god Svarog. It represents strength, dignity, sun and
fire. It is a symbol of secular as well as spiritual power. "Kolo"
means wheel, and its "vrat" [spokes] are turning. The kolovrat
represents the endless cycle of birth and deaths. [Each turn of] the wheel is a
cycle of life in our world. The "Swastika and Kolovrat it's the same, the
only difference it's that Kolovrat it's the symbol for Slavic Faith (Rodnovery)
Swastika is for the Sun (Dazbog or Swarog) it's THE symbol of the Sun. You see
Kolovrat too, but we can see it like THE symbol of our faith (like mjolnir it's
symbol of Thor but it's the symbol for many Asatru People). But Kolovrat is too
for The Sun and For Slavic Gods like Swarog and his Son Dazbog but it's the
time too! you know the circle of the life, the wheel turning... you see what I
mean?swarzyca is too a symbol of the Sun and Fire like the three other!!! and
great symbol for Rodnover. They bring chance! they are sacred for us and it's
symbols of Gods so they bring us chance and protection!!!"
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- Rusich Company (Russian: ДШРГ «Русич») – Special forces-type company commanded by Aleksey Milchakov. Made up of far-right Russian volunteers. On July 10, 2015, Milchakov announced that the Rusich Company would be withdrawing from Donbass for retraining and refitting.
Non-combat
units
Novorossiya Humanitarian Battalion (Russian: Гуманитарный
батальон «Новороссия») –
non-combat unit involved in protecting the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Igor
Strelkov with a flag
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Commanders
Donetsk People's Republic
- Alexander Zakharchenko
- Vladimir Kononov
- Eduard Basurin
- Pavel Gubarev (former)
- Igor Strelkov (former)
- "Romashka" (nom de guerre), real name Sergei Zhurikov (Russian: Сергей Журиков) †
- Alexander Khodakovsky
- Igor Bezler
- Alexander Verin
- "Botsman"
- Konstantin Kuzmin
- Sergei Petrovskiy
- Motorola (nom de guerre), real name Arseny Pavlov
- Givi (nom de guerre), real name Mikhail Tolstykh
- Akhra Avidzba
Luhansk People's Republic
- Igor Plotnitsky
- Valery Bolotov (former)
- Nikolai Kozitsyn (former)
- Pavel Dryomov (DOW) (his car was blown up by unknown)
- Aleksey Mozgovoy †
- Alexander Bednov (Russian: Александр Беднов) †
- Yuri Shevchenko
Flags
and symbols
Historical
flags
Others
Flags
Flags
of new States, including nongovernment (public) organizations
Flags
of military units and troops
Equipment
According
to independent sources, rebels mostly used equipment that was available
domestically before the Ukrainian crisis. However, the rebels were
also seen using weapons that were not known to be exported to or otherwise
available in Ukraine. Appearance of some of the latest models of Russian military
equipment, which was never exported outside of Russia, is particularly
noteworthy.
According
to the Donetsk People's Republic all its military equipment is "hardware
that we took from the Ukrainian military". However, according to the
Ukrainian government and the United States Department of State
this is a false statement and claim the separatists have received military
equipment from Russia,
including multiple rocket launch systems and tanks. Despite the fact that
Russian officials deny supplying arms to the militia, numerous evidence proves
that it is true. In August 2014 Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy
Heletey claimed the proof for the weapons supply from Russia was that the
fighters of the Donbass People's Militia were using Russian-made weapons that
were never used (or bought) by the Ukrainian
army. NAF militias acquired many Ukrainian military vehicles and equipment
during the Ilovaisk and Debaltseve cauldrons, following the Ukrainian
retreat. The DPR estimated that it captured 471 pieces of heavy equipment
(including AFVs) in Debaltseve, with two thirds
being returned to serviceable conditions by their repair shops.
Among
such exclusively Russian equipment seen with pro-Russian separatists are
Russian modifications of tank T-72
(particularly T-72B3
and T-72BA seen
destroyed in Ukraine), infantry fighting vehicle BTR-82AM (adopted
in Russia in 2013), armored personnel carriers BPM-97,
sophisticated anti-aircraft system Pantsir-S1,
multipurpose vehicle GAZ Vodnik (adopted in Russia in 2005), Russian modifications
of MT-LB,
rocket-propelled flamethrower MRO-A, anti-tank missile Kornet,
anti-materiel rifle ASVK,
suppressed sniper rifle VSS Vintorez and
others.
Relationship
with Russia
As
the conflict intensified, the Donbass People's Militia was bolstered with many
volunteers from the former Soviet Union, mainly Russia; including
fighters from Chechnya
and North
Ossetia.
According
to the Ukrainian government and the United States Department of State
the Donbass People's Militia have received military equipment from Russia,
including Russian tanks and multiple rocket launchers. Russia denied doing this
and has described the Russian citizens fighting with the Donbass People's Militia
as volunteers. The Donetsk People's Republic claimed on 16 August 2014 it had
received (together with 30 tanks and 120 other armoured vehicles of undisclosed
origin) 1,200 "individuals who have gone through training over a
four-month period on the territory of the Russian Federation". Prime Minister of the
DPR Alexander Zakharchenko stated in August
2014 that they have not received military equipment from Russia; but that all
its military equipment is "hardware that we took from the Ukrainian
military". Despite a majority of the equipment being of Soviet or
Ukrainian origin, there are signs of Russian material support such as
ammunition, uniforms, radios, radar equipment, and reconnaissance UAVs. Russia
has also provided support through military trainers, advisers, and battlefield
intelligence support. Evidence of this is seen from the high efficiency of the
NAF in attacking and defending against the bigger sized Ukrainian military, the
ability to quickly change objectives during a battle, and their organized joint
combat roles of motorized and mechanized brigades.
The
injured of the Donbass People's Militia were exclusively treated in Russia.
During mid-August 2014, hospitals such as the Donetsk Central Hospital in Donetsk,
Russia attended to between 10 and 20 injured fighters daily. The Russian Emergency Ministry assisted with
treatment logistics. Those questioned and registered by the (Russian) Federal Security Service and treated in
Russia during this period stated that they would not return to Ukraine if the Ukrainian
army won the War in Donbass, but would, instead, engage in a partisan
warfare campaign in Eastern Ukraine.
Объединенные
вооруженные силы Новороссии (Armed forces Novorossia)
Published on Feb 26, 2015
Самопровозглашенные Донецкая и Луганская народные
республики (ДНР и ЛНР) приняли решение о создании объединенных вооруженных сил.
«Это документ, который знаменует рождение объединенной армии Новороссии, в которой сольются силы армий ДНР и ЛНР, что позволит вооруженным силам Новороссии решать самые сложные задачи по защите родной земли».
Новые ВС объединят добровольческие воинские формирования провозглашенных республик.
Главнокомандующим назначен генерал-лейтенант Иван Корсунь.
The
self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republic ( DNR and LNR ) decided
to create a unified armed forces .
"This
document, which marks the birth of the united army of New Russia , which will
merge forces armies DNR and LNR , which will allow the armed forces of New
Russia to solve the challenges for the protection of his native land ."
The new Armed
Forces will join volunteer military formations of the Republic.
Commander in Chief
is appointed Lieutenant-General Ivan Korsun .
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9I_bmtpEl4
Warriors
of the Novorossiya (Manowar - Warriors Of The World United)
Published on Dec 31, 2014
Видео
посвящается мужеству и стойкости Армии Новороссии.
Музыка - Manowar - Warriors Of The World United
Музыка - Manowar - Warriors Of The World United
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnwxwqge8qc
Спецназ
ДНР предупреждает
SWAT DNR warns
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVHyv1g1__g
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