Kalmius Brigade

Summary

The Kalmius Brigade[1] is a military unit of the Donetsk People's Republic, operates within the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya. Media often refer to it as a battalion of special purpose.[2] As of the end of June 2015 Konstantin Kuzmin commanded the unit. The unit's name comes from the river of the same name, one of the largest rivers in Donbas. On February 16, 2015, the Kalmius battalion was included in the sanctions list of the European Union and of Canada.,[3][4] and was later sanctioned by the governments of Norway and Switzerland.[5][6]

Kalmius Brigade
бригада «Кальмиус»
Service sleeve insignia of the Kalmius Battalion
Active21 June 2014 - Present
Allegiance Russia
BranchArmy
RoleSpecial operations
Sizeabout 1,000 troops
Part of Russian people's militias in Ukraine
  • Miner's Division
Garrison/HQDonetsk
Nickname(s)Miner's Battalion
EngagementsWar in Donbas
Russian invasion of Ukraine
Commanders
Current
commander
Konstantin Kuzmin

History edit

The Kalmius Battalion was established on June 21, 2014. Former miners constitute the core of the battalion, original strength being about five hundred people. The first commander was Fedor Berezin, who later became deputy of Igor Girkin.
[citation needed]

The baptism of fire for the battalion came on 26–27 June 2014 in Donetsk, when it took part in an assault on the Internal Troops of Ukraine, which occurred without casualties.[citation needed] In July, the battalion was involved in the fighting near Donetsk.[citation needed] In August, the battalion captured 13 Ukrainian officers, including a colonel.[citation needed] In January 2015, the Kalmius battalion participated in battles around Debaltseve.[citation needed]

Organization edit

The unit's core comprises mainly volunteers; as of fall 2014 the unit had the following structure:

  • Base – in Donetsk
  • Dog squad
  • Artillery group – armed with D-30 howitzers, SAU 2S1, MSTA-B and MLRS "Grad"

References edit

  1. ^ "Артиллерия Новороссии пополнилась батареей тяжелых гаубиц" (in Russian). 22 October 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Оперативная информация от спецподразделения "Кальмиус"" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  3. ^ "COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/241 of 9 February 2015 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine". EUR-Lex. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  4. ^ Barutciski, Milos (18 February 2015). "Canada Imposes Additional Sanctions, Including Against Rosneft". Bennet Jones Thought Network. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Forskrift om endring i forskrift om restriktive tiltak vedrørende handlinger som undergraver eller truer Ukrainas territorielle integritet, suverenitet, uavhengighet og stabilitet - Lovdata". lovdata.no. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  6. ^ "Situation en Ukraine: le Conseil fédéral complète les mesures visant à empêcher le contournement de sanctions". www.admin.ch. Retrieved 2022-07-05.