Territorial defense battalions (Ukraine)

Donbas Battalion training group near Kiev, 2 June 2014

Territorial defense battalions (Ukrainian: Батальйо́ни територіа́льної оборо́ни) are volunteer military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the command of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in 2014-2015. The battalions established themselves in mid-2014, during the early stages of the War in Donbass, to combat the alleged stealth invasion by Russian Armed Forces[1][2][3] and the forces of the Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic, and the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya. More than fifty battalions have been formed, with up to 7,000 soldiers, the Azov and Donbass battalions are by far the largest with a strength of 1,000 and 900 soldiers respectively plus an extensive civilian support network.[4][5][6] Some units are accused of links to the far-right, and Amnesty International has reported some for human rights violations.[7]

History

In March 2014 acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov issued an order to create seven territorial defense battalions.

Since 30 April 2014 all territorial defense battalions have been part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fall under the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the governors of the oblasts (provinces) in which they were created.[18] By law, every oblast in Ukraine should create its own territorial defense battalions.[19]

In April 2014, acting Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov issued an order to create special police battalions.[20]

During the opening stages of the war in Eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military and police forces were largely ineffective in separatist areas, often surrendering equipment or being overwhelmed in cities by large crowds of civilians. Federalist and pro-Russian insurgents quickly gained large swaths of territory. Ukraine also lost control of the Ukrainian-Russian border and this allowed time for a large inflow of insurgents and military supplies from Russia.

Due to this ineffectiveness, in May 2014[19] volunteer militias began to form in order to combat the separatist insurgency. These groups designated themselves as territorial defense battalions and generally took their name from wherever most of their recruits were from.

Most of the volunteer battalions fall under the official command of the Interior Ministry or the Ministry of Defense. However most are largely autonomous, some receiving funding from various donors.[27] By August 2014 over 5,600 volunteers had joined defense battalions across Ukraine and about 7,000 volunteers had joined by the end of September.[28][29]

The Russian Communist Party has pushed to label the battalions as terrorist organizations, even though they are directly subordinate to the Government of Ukraine and are legal government agencies of Ukraine.[30] Russian politicians have not pushed for declaring pro=Russian insurgents fighting in Ukraine as terrorists.

In the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election several members of the battalions were elected into the Ukrainian parliament.[31][32]

On 10 November 2014 Stepan Poltorak, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, ordered all 37 volunteer battalions to be integrated into Ukraine's regular forces, thus they were officially inducted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Minister of Internal Affairs and National Guard of Ukraine as National Guard battalions.[33][34]

Foreign fighters mainly from Belarus, Georgia and Russia (from each country about 100 men) have joined the volunteer battalions.[35] They were joined by fighters from the United States, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Georgia, Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Italy and Canada.[35]

By late 2014 the number of battalions raised had grown over 50, including those now under National Guard command.[6]

Legal status

The battalions that fall under the command of the Interior Ministry are technically part of the National Guard of Ukraine and are attached to units of the National Guard.[19] The Donbas Battalion has a special status as a battalion for operation purposes, and its servicemen are part of the military reserve of the National Guard.[19]

Difference from other special forces units of Ukraine

The various territorial defense battalions are not to be confused with the units such as "Omega", "Jaguar", or "Bars" which are 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 resist Russian occupation of Ukraine, volunteers weren't required to have prior military training to join and therefore at the beginning of the conflict they had minimal time to train and equip themselves. Battalions were also not armed with armor or tanks at the start of the conflict, however some have units managed to capture and repair heavy equipment from enemy units.[36]

Foreign fighters

Foreign fighters from Belarus and Russia have asked for Ukrainian citizenship feering persecution at home.[35] The Ukrainian parliament has passed laws to simplify this for them.[35] Nevertheless, foreign fighters from Belarus and Russia have complained that gaining this citizenship took too long.[35]

Equipment

The battalions receive basic resources and weapons from the Interior Ministry or the Ministry of Defense.[19] These resources soon proved to be inadequate and numerous groups have helped to equip the battalions.[19] The best known volunteer groups are Self-Defense of Maidan, which has its own warehouses in Melitopol, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv, and Army SOS, an initiative of former Euromaidan activists. Volunteers provide things like: hygiene items, food, sleeping bags, night vision goggles and multicopters (for use as drones).[19]

List of territorial defense battalions (MoD)

Prykarpattya Battalion

The 5th Territorial Defense Battalion "Prykarpattya" subordinated to the Ministry of Defence.

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. 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.[39]

The unit was eventually deployed to the War in Donbass and played an infamous role in the Battle of Ilovaisk. The battle began on 7 August 2014 and Ukraine's forces entered the city of Ilovaisk on 18 August 2014. The Prykarpattya Battalion did not take part in direct assault but was charged with holding the flank of the main component of Ukraine's troops. However, about 2,000 separatist reinforcements backed by Russian forces crossed from the Russian border to encircle Ukraine's troops in Ilvaisk. Almost all of the unit's 500 troops abandoned their post once they started coming under Russian fire leaving Russian forces free to encircle Ukrainian troops. Several soldiers later regrouped with other units, but it is reported that 326 soldiers of the battalion fled the war zone along with their equipment. The commanders of the battalion are facing treason and desertion charges in the aftermath of the incident.[40]

List of units merged into National Guard

Azov Battalion

Main article: Azov Battalion

Named after the Sea of Azov the unit was created in Mariupol which is a major coastal city and operates as the capital of Donetsk Oblast due to the occupations of Donetsk by insurgents. The unit was one of the first battalions to form and begin to resist the rebels playing a large role in the defence of Mariupol.[41] The battalion is mostly composed of Russian speaking volunteers from Eastern Ukraine and is headed by Andriy Biletsky.

The unit is known for far right agenda and has been reported as displaying Nazi symbols.The unit denies the allegation that they use Nazi symbols claiming that their logo is based on the Coat of Arms of Ukraine[42] while elements of the national flag are also used.

It was upgraded into a full regiment in 2015, and is the only one with foreign soldiers in their ranks. It is also the NG's only territorial defense regiment in service.

Donbas Battalion

Main article: Donbas Battalion
Semen Semenchenko, the leader and founder of the Donbas battalion wearing his trademark balaclava.

The most well known and first volunteer battalion to form to resist Russian insurgents in the Donbas, often referred to as the "little black men" as an analog to Crimea's Little green men. The unit was conceived and is headed by Semen Semenchenko, an ethnic Russian. It formed from local ethnic Russian volunteers of the Donbass region who disagreed with the separatist philosophy and wished to remain part of Ukraine but were dissatisfied with the inaction of Ukrainian government forces in the area. In effect it is an analog of the separatist formed Vostok Battalion which formed from ethnic Russians fighting for separatism.

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. The unit is 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.[43] The unit also aided in the defense of Mariupol when Russian forces invaded through Novoazovsk, the battalion sent several tank destroyers to slow the Russian advance. The offensive toward Mariupol was halted near Shyrokyne and Bezimenne.[44] The unit suffered heavy losses when Russia sent its regular forces into Ukraine in late August, encircling parts of Ukrainian forces by taking their flank as they were battling separatists.[45]

In September 2014 the unit was reorganized into a Regiment the bulk of which consisted of a 700-man Battalion Tactical Group. The Ministry of Defense stated that the unit would be armed with tanks and armored personnel carriers. A Spetsnaz unit within the battalion was also formed.[46] The unit has been re-designated as the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine after being integrated into regular forces, but the Spetsnaz company remained.

Semen Semenchenko, the founder of the battalion, was elected to the parliament of Ukraine in October 2014 as part of the Samopomich party. It is unclear what will happen to the unit or who will be the new commander with Semenchenko being elected.[47]

List of special police units (MIA)

Volunteer of the Kremenchuk company conducting training.
New recruits of the Poltava Battalion during their oath taking ceremony.

In addition, MIA issued an order to form two police battalions in Donetsk oblast ("Donetsk-1" police battalion and "Donetsk-2" police battalion) but they were never formed.

Former special police units

Other volunteer battalions

Islamic battalions

According to New York Times, there are three volunteer Islamic battalions fighting for the Ukrainian side.[71]

Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion

Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion, originally named "Chechen battalion", it was set up in March 2014. It was later named after Chechnya’s first president and insurgent leader Dzhokhar Dudayev and it is based in Novomoskovsk in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.[72] As of late May 2015, the unit is in the process of being legalized as part of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.[72] Its Ukrainian members will join the Zoloti Borota Battalion, while its foreign members are expected to join army units under a bill enabling foreign fighters to get Ukrainian citizenship.[72] Most of the members are ethnic Ukrainians, but there are also Chechens from European countries as well as from Chechnya and it also includes other Muslims like Azeris, Ingush and Tatars, as well as Georgians.[72] The battalion "views the war as part of a broader struggle against Russian imperialism and the Kadyrov regime".[73] The battalion specializes in subversion and countering the subversive groups.[72]

Shah Mansur battalion

Another Chechen battalion, named after Shah Mansur, has been reported defending the front line near Mariupol in 2015.[74] It was created by former Dzhokhar Dudayev Battalion members.[72]

Maidan Battalion

On 1 September 2014 NGOs involved in the Euromaidan-protests announced their intention to create its own territorial battalion subordinated to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.[75] This announcement was made at a meeting of representatives of "Ukrainian Coordinating Council Maidan", that included representatives of Automaidan and Right Sector.[75]

Early May 2014 a similar announcement was made.[76]

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. The unit has approximately 700 members.[77][78]

Battalion OUN

Battalion of "Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists" was operating in the area of Pisky, Donetsk.[79] In April 2015, Die Zeit reported that the Battalion's Facebook page endorsed murder of journalist Oles Buzina and politician Oleg Kalashnikov[80]

References

  1. ↑ Bidder, Benjamin; Gathmann, Moritz; Neef, Christian; Schepp, Matthias (September 2, 2014). "Undeclared War: Putin's Covert Invasion of Eastern Ukraine". Spiegel Online. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ Shapiro, Jeremy (May 2, 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Why the U.S. isn't tougher on Russia". Fortune. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Reversal of fortune". The Economist. September 6, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Ultra-nationalist Ukrainian battalion gears up for more fighting". Reuters. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Volunteers Bolster Ukraine's Fighting Force". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 Ukraine underplays role of far right in conflict, BBC News (13 December 2014)
  7. ↑ "The women fighting on the frontline in Ukraine". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Львов создает батальон территориальной обороны // «Аргументы и факты — Украина» от 18 марта 2014
  9. ↑ В Днепропетровске формируется Полк защиты // «Корреспондент. NET» от 19 марта 2014
  10. ↑ В Днепропетровской области формируют два батальона территориальной обороны // «Подробности. UA» от 11 мая 2014
  11. ↑ В Тернополе формируют батальон территориальной обороны // «112.UA» (7 May 2014)
  12. ↑ В Житомирской области появился батальон обороны края «Полесье» // "Житомир.INFO" (12 April 2014)
  13. ↑ Территориальный батальон Житомирщины обеспечивает охрану государственной границы. ФОТО // «Житомир online» (9 September 2014)
  14. ↑ Игорь Андрейченко про службу в 13-м БТО // «Новини Чернiгова» (27 June 2014)
  15. ↑ Сумы cоздают батальон территориальной обороны // «Ukrinform» (24 April 2014)
  16. ↑ В Харькове создали очередной батальон, а самооборона рвется в МВД // «Сегодня.UA» (26 April 2014)
  17. ↑ В Україні створюються батальйони територіальної оборони — С. Пашинський // The official web-site of the President of Ukraine (30 April 2014)
  18. ↑ Батальоны территориальной обороны будут подчиняться Генштабу и председателям ОГА — Пашинский // "Ukrinform" (30 April 2014)
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ukraine's volunteer battalions: The new model army , Ukrinform (2014)
  20. ↑ МВС набирає добровольців спецпідрозділу з охорони порядку на південному сході // «Сегодня. UA» (15 April 2014)
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  23. ↑ (Ukrainian) Promised Remedies Transformation 34 Battalion territorial defense, Kirovohrad Oblast Council (26 July 2014)
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  25. ↑ В Запорожской области формируют новый батальон и возводят фортификационные сооружения // NEWSRU.UA (29 August 2014)
  26. ↑ (Ukrainian) Zaporizhia Oblast will create a new battalion of heavy machinery, Ukrayinska Pravda (8 September 2014)
  27. ↑ Ayres, Sabra (June 29, 2014). "The Donbass Battalion prepares to save Ukraine from separatists". Aljazeera America.
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  30. ↑ "Russian Communist Party wants Ukrainians fighting in the east classified as "terrorists"". Euromaidan Press.
  31. ↑ People's Front names top ten candidates in elections, Ukrinform (September 15, 2014)
  32. ↑ Poroshenko Bloc to have greatest number of seats in parliament, Ukrainian Television and Radio (8 November 2014)
    People's Front 0.33% ahead of Poroshenko Bloc with all ballots counted in Ukraine elections - CEC, Interfax-Ukraine (8 November 2014)
    Poroshenko Bloc to get 132 seats in parliament - CEC, Interfax-Ukraine (8 November 2014)
    Video of first brawl in Verkhovna Rada becomes a YouTube hit, Kyiv Post (5 December 2014)
    "Frontline politics: Ukraine fighters run for parliament". Agence France-Presse. 21 October 2014.
    War veterans steal limelight in Ukraine's new parliament, Reuters (27 November 2014)
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  34. ↑ Цензор.НЕТ. "АТО добровольческие батальоны: Они воюют за Украину: 37 добровольческих батальонов участвуют в АТО. Инфографика - СБУ, Украина, Антитеррористическая операция, АТО добровольческие батальоны (03.09.14 16:06) « Политика Украины « Фоторепортажи - Цензор.НЕТ". Цензор.НЕТ. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 Foreign fighters struggle for legal status in Ukraine, Kyiv Post (18 October 2015)
    Foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine in Donbas demand passports in exchange for their service, Ukraine Today (19 October 2015)
    Why a Russian Is Fighting for Ukraine, Newsweek (4 August 2015)
    They Came to Fight for Ukraine. Now They’re Stuck in No Man’s Land, Foreign Policy (19 October 2015)
    Georgians in Ukraine fight shadow war, The Moscow Times (19 January 2015)
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  38. ↑ На Хмельниччині підрозділи батальйону територіальної оборони завершили процес бойового злагодження (21 June 2014)
  39. ↑ "Закарпатців закликають вступати в батальйон територіальної оборони". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  40. ↑ "Военная прокуратура считает дезертирство батальона "Прикарпатье" первопричиной трагедии под Иловайском". censor.
  41. ↑ "Ukrainian troops drive rebels out of Mariupol". USA Today. June 13, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Russians Join Ukraine's Azov Battalion: Volunteers say Putin regime poses threat to Europe". Ukraine Today.
    "Ukraine underplays role of far right in conflict". BBC. 13 December 2014.
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  44. ↑ "Donbas battalion sends groups of tank destroyers to stop armored vehicles that crossed into Ukraine near Novoazovsk". Kyiv Post. 25 Aug 2014.
  45. ↑ "Anti-govt forces ‘circle 1000s of Kiev troops, capture 2 tank battalions’ in E.Ukraine". RT. 25 Aug 2014.
  46. ↑ "Батальон "Донбасс" преобразован в батальонно-тактическую группу". Liga.
  47. ↑ "Список депутатов, проходящих в Раду по спискам и мажоритарке, - предварительные данные". 112.ua.
  48. ↑ У Дніпропетровщині набирають добровольців у батальйони «Дніпро-1», «Артемівськ» та «Січеслав» // UNN (30 June 2014)
  49. ↑ "Батальйон "Богдан" залишає Хмельницький і вирушає на Донбас (відео)". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  50. ↑ В Черниговской области создают спецбатальон патрульной службы // «Вести. UA» (20 April 2014)
  51. ↑ "Turchynov Tells Defence Ministry Disestablish 25th Brigade Of Air Assault Forces". Ukrainian News. April 17, 2014.
  52. ↑ "The Town Determined to Stop Putin". The Daily Beast. June 12, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Ukrainian battalion says Russian general killed in operation in Donetsk". Euromaidan Press.
  54. ↑ (Russian) Battalion "Kharkiv" is sent to the zone of ATO, SQ News (9 December 2015)
  55. ↑ Бронеавтомобиль подарили бойцам роты спецназначения "Кременчуг" // "112.UA" (2 October 2014)
  56. ↑ "More than 200 men voluntarily joined the battalion "Lviv"". ukrstream.tv.
  57. ↑ "МВС УКРАЇНИ". Міністерство внутрішніх справ України. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  58. ↑ Наказом від 5.09.2014 батальйон «Полтава» та рота «Мирний» об'єднані в батальйон «Полтавщина» / official web-site of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (5th of September 2014)
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 Convicts-turned-cops on forefront of Ukraine's battle against Russia, Kyiv Post (Feb. 18, 2015)
  60. ↑ (Ukrainian) In Mariupol created their own territorial defense battalion, Ukrayinska Pravda (3 September 2014)
  61. ↑ "Партія Свобода створює власний батальйон". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  62. ↑ "Батальон "Сич" отправился в зону АТО". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  63. ↑ "Dimitri Timchuk's Blog Summary of Events for 30 September". Dimitri Timchuk.
  64. ↑ "Батальйон "Скіф" проходить останні вишколи перед відправленням на Схід". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  65. ↑ Новый батальон «Свитязь» из Луцка отправился на Восток // «112.UA» (19 August 2014)
  66. ↑ UkrMedia http://ukrain.bazaza.net/207349/. Retrieved 29 December 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  67. 1 2 "Shakhtarsk battalion disbanded over looting claims". Interfax.
  68. ↑ Ukrainian interior minister dissolves 'Tornado' task force, several members arrested for serious crimes, Interfax-Ukraine (18 June 2015)
  69. ↑ Commander of volunteer unit detained amid smuggling scandal, Kyiv Post (18 June 2015)
  70. ↑ Куандыкова, Жанель (18 June 2015). Бойцы расформированного батальона «Торнадо» пригрозили Киеву стрельбой (in Russian). rbc.ru. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  71. ↑ Andrew E. Kramer. Islamic Battalions, Stocked With Chechens, Aid Ukraine in War With Rebels. New York Times. July 7, 2015.
  72. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Chechen fighter transfers struggle against Kremlin to Ukraine, Chechen fighter transfers struggle against Kremlin to Ukraine], Kyiv Post (27 May 2014)
  73. ↑ Oleg Sukhov. Russia’s war against Ukraine renews Chechen animosities. Kyiv Post. March 27, 2015.
  74. ↑ Veteran Chechen fighters locked in fierce battle with Russian-backed militants in east Ukraine. Ukraine Today. May 18, 2015.
  75. 1 2 (Ukrainian) Activists Maidan create own Battalion, Ukrayinska Pravda (1 September 2014)
  76. ↑ Oleg Sukhov. Maidan activists setting up volunteer battalion, Kyiv Post (7 May 2014)
  77. ↑ "Батальйон "Шахтар" затримав мера Стаханова". Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  78. ↑ "Добровольчий батальйон "Шахтар" просить допомоги в придбанні медикаментів". Інформатор. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
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