Storm Ossetia Explained
Storm Ossetia was a militia in service to the Russian Armed Forces raised from volunteers from North Ossetia–Alania during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
History
On June 11, it was reported that volunteer units made up a portion of the Russian front line during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, including Storm Ossetia, as well as another North Ossetian unit "Alania", and two Russian units "Crimea" and "Sarmat." These units were tasked with holding the front-line around the village of Lobkove, but were unable to do so, retreating to pre-prepared positions and leaving the village in Ukrainian hands.[2] [3]
The unit was then tasked to hold the village of Piatykhatky just south of Lobkove. The unit was able to hold onto the village for five days, repelling two attempts by Ukraine to storm their positions.[4] However, their position was deemed untenable and were given orders to retreat again to other pre-prepared positions. During the chaos of the retreat out of Piatykhatky on June 19, the unit found itself encircled by the advancing Ukrainian forces. The 300-man battalion was reported to have been "liquidated" to the last fighter, including their deputy commander Ayvengo Tekhov.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
The unit's Telegram account denied the unit took any casualties, and re-posted old photos of the unit as "proof." However, Russian officials held a memorial for the unit in Vladikavkaz, where they mourned the unit which decided to stand “to the last.”[10]
The battalion's remnants, mostly consisting of their officers, support and media team were absorbed into the "Alania" volunteer battalion, which Storm Ossetia had fought alongside during the counteroffensive.[11] [12]
Commanders
Ayvengo Tekhov (Ossetian; Ossetic: Тъехты Aйвенго, 1991-2023).
Notes and References
- https://charter97.org/en/news/2023/6/23/553080/
- Web site: Stepanenko . Kateryna . Bailey . Riley . Wolkov . Nicole . Barros . George . Clark . Mason . Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 13, 2023 . . 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Mappes . Grace . Wolkov . Nicole . Stepanenko . Kateryna . Barros . George . Clark . Mason . Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 11, 2023 . . 19 June 2023.
- Web site: The Russian army repelled two attempts to break through the Ukrainian armed forces in the direction of Zaporizhzhia in five days . easternherald.com . 23 March 2023 . 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Day 481 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Kyiv forces retake 8 Settlements in Southern Ukraine As of September 2023 it was reported by The Institute for the Study of War that remnants of Storm Ossetia and the "Alania" battalion had reconstituted the unit. As of 28 September Storm Ossetia was reported to be defending in western Zaporizhia oblast near Robotyne. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-28-2023 . . 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Zhernovskaya . Ludmila . In Ukraine, the deputy commander of the battalion "Storm. Ossetia" was eliminated . . 19 June 2023 . 19 June 2023.
- Web site: AFU Encircle, Liquidate 'Storm.Ossetia' Battalion Near Pyatikhatki . 19 June 2023 . Charter 97.
- Web site: Frontline report: Ukrainians destroy 300 Russian troops on Zaporizhzhian front; intense fighting in Zherebianka . . 20 June 2023 . 22 June 2023.
- Web site: Deputy commander and entire battalion of Russian troops from South Ossetia killed in south Ukraine . . 20 June 2023 . . 22 June 2023.
- Web site: Russia Recognized Defeat Of Storm.Ossetia Battalion Near Zaporizhzhia. . 5 July 2023.
- Web site: Stepanenko . Kateryna . Wolkov . Nicole . Evans . Angelica . Harward . Christina . Kagan . Frederick W. . Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29, 2023 . . 12 September 2023.
- Web site: Bailey . Riley . Stepanenko . Kateryna . Evans . Angelica . Mappes . Grace . Ganzeveld . Annika . Clark . Mason . Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 8, 2023 . . 12 September 2023.
