Slava Novorossiya

Slava Novorossiya

Sunday, June 21, 2015

THE KALMIUS BATTALION



            On this date, June 21, 2014, the Kalmius Battalion of the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya was established. I will post information about this Military Unit from Wikipedia.

Service sleeve insignia of the Kalmius Battalion

Active
21 June 2014
Allegiance
Novorossiya
  • Donetsk People's Republic
Branch
Army
Role
Special operations
Size
about 1,000 troops
Part of
United Armed Forces of Novorossiya
  • Miner's Division
Garrison/HQ
Donetsk
Nickname
Miner's Battalion
Commanders
Current
commander
Konstantin Kuzmin

The "Kalmius" Battalion (or Brigade) is a military unit of the Donetsk People's Republic within the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya. It is often referred to by the media as a battalion of special purpose. The unit commander at the end of June was Konstantin Kuzmin. The unit's name comes from the same river, one of the largest rivers in Donbass. On February 16, 2015 the "Kalmius" battalion was included in the sanctions list of the European Union and of Canada.

The unit's base is formed mainly of volunteers; at the fall of 2014, the units has the following structure:
  • Base - in Donetsk;
  • Dog squad;
  • Artillery Group - consists of D-30 howitzers, SAU 2S1, MSTA-B and MLRS "Grad".
One of the battalion Kalmius fighters at the checkpoint of the seized military unit on June 27, 2014 in Donetsk.
A soldier of the Kalmius Battalion on training with a machine gun.
History

The "Kalmius" Battalion was established on June 21, 2014 after the occupation of the territory of the People's Republic of Donetsk. The baptism of fire for the battalion came on 26–27 June 2014 in Donetsk, after the intervention of the Internal Troops of Ukraine. 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.

On June 26–27, the battalion took part in an assault, which occurred without casualties; since July, the battalion was involved in the fighting near Donetsk. In August, the Battalion captured 13 Ukrainian officers, including a colonel. In January 2015, the "Kalmius" battalion did participate in battles around Debaltseve.

A pro-Russian rebel jacket hangs on a hook at Battalion Kalmius headquarters on March 5, 2015 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Over 6,000 people have been killed since the conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels started last April.

DPR "Kalmius" militia battalion recruit training


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