Kalmius Brigade

The "Kalmius" Brigade[1]), 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 Donbass. On February 16, 2015 the "Kalmius" battalion was included in the sanctions list of the European Union and of Canada.[3][4]
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"
Kalmius Brigade
бригада «Кальмиус»
Service sleeve insignia of the Kalmius Battalion
Active21 June 2014
Allegiance Novorossiya
BranchArmy
RoleSpecial operations
Sizeabout 1,000 troops
Part of United Armed Forces of Novorossiya
  • Miner's Division
Garrison/HQDonetsk
Nickname(s)Miner's Battalion
Commanders
Current
commander		Konstantin Kuzmin

History

The "Kalmius" Battalion was established on June 21, 2014. 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;[5] 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.

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References
  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. "Ополченцы заявили о захвате воинской части в Донецке" (in Russian). Lenta.ru. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
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