Pyatnashka Brigade Explained

Unit Name:"Pyatnashka Brigade"
Native Name:"Бригада «Пятнашка»"
Dates:2014–present
Branch: DPR People's Militia (2015–2022)
(2022–present)
Country: (2015–2022)
(2022–present)
Size:Battalion
Command Structure:1st Donetsk Army Corps
Nickname:The Fifteen
Battles:War in Donbas

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Identification Symbol Label:Flag
Current Commander:Akhra Avidzba

The Pyatnashka is a military unit of the 87th Rifle Regiment of the Russian Ground Forces. Until 1 January 2023, it was part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). It is attached to the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.[1] It mainly consists of international volunteers. The brigade is led by Akhra Avidzba, an officer of Abkhaz origin.[2]

History

War in Donbas

The battalion was formed in the summer of 2014. It was nicknamed "The Fifteen" in reference to the unit's original strength of 15 soldiers. The battalion would take part in the multiple battles of the War in Donbas.[3]

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The battalion fought against the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[4] The battalion was heavily involved in the Battle of Avdiivka[5] [6] In March 2024, it was reported that the battalion had accepted Chinese volunteers.[7] The Brigade was later transferred from the Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk Oblast to Kursk Oblast along with the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in order to aid in defending against the Ukrainian inclusion into Kursk.[8] [9]

Foreign fighters

The brigade has international volunteers of many different nationalities. The presence of British, Chinese, French, Japanese, and Serbian fighters have been confirmed over different periods of time.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Structure

Units

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1-я Славянская бригада ДНР: история создания, состав и боевой путь . 2024-04-16 . amalantra.ru. 15 November 2022 .
  2. Web site: 2023-04-19 . Ukrainian company uses social media, open source technology to counter Russian invasion . 2024-04-17 . PBS NewsHour . en-us.
  3. Web site: The Battle of Ilovaisk . 2024-04-17 . Forensic Architecture.
  4. Web site: Critical Threats . 2024-04-17 . Critical Threats.
  5. News: Chapple . Amos . 2023-11-07 . Red Flags: Soviet Symbols Return To Russia's Military . 2024-04-17 . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . en.
  6. Web site: 2024-02-23 . Inside What Remains Of Russian-Occupied Avdiyivka . 2024-04-17 . RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty . en.
  7. News: Giustino . Mariano . 2024-03-12 . Vladimir Putin's mercenaries . 2024-04-17 . Pamfleti.
  8. https://tsn.ua/en/ato/russia-s-offensive-on-pokrovsk-is-it-possible-to-stop-the-invaders-in-this-area-2639220.html
  9. Web site: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 10, 2024 . Harward . Christina . Gasparyan . Davit . Mappes . Grace . Evans . Angelica . Barros . George . Stepanenko . Kateryna . Institute for the Study of War . 10 August 2024 . 10 August 2024 .
  10. Web site: Zivanovic . Maria . December 13, 2018 . Donbass Brothers: How Serbian Fighters Were Deployed in Ukraine . Balkan Insight.
  11. Web site: 2024-06-04 . Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. - National Security News . 2024-06-23 . nationalsecuritynews.com . en-GB.
  12. Web site: Writter . Staff . 2024-03-27 . British Mercenaries Fighting For Russia in Ukraine Labelled Traitors . 2024-06-23 . Taarifa Rwanda . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2024-05-03 . Interview Daisaku Kaneko, the only Japanese "Volunteer Soldier in the Russian Army," reveals "Why I am fighting against Ukraine. ]. 2024-06-23 . FRIDAY DIGITAL.
  14. Web site: 2024-04-22 . Intelligence services keep watch as pro-Russia French fighters return from Donbas . 2024-06-27 . Intelligence Online.
  15. Web site: Institute for the Study of War .

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