The Separate Special Purpose Battalion of the Ministry of Defense of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria,[2] also known as OBON,[3] is a spetsnaz formation of Chechen volunteers, functioning as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. It is one of several Chechen armed volunteer formations on the side of Ukraine. It was created by Akhmed Zakayev on July 29, 2022, on the basis of a Chechen formation that has been fighting on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to combat the purposes of their common enemy.
| Separate Special Purpose Battalion | |
|---|---|
 chevron of the Separate Special Purpose Battalion | |
| Founded | July 2022 |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Allegiance |  Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)  Chechen Republic of Ichkeria |
| Type | Spetsnaz |
| Role | Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Close-quarters combat Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency Direct action Drone warfare HUMINT Irregular warfare Mountain warfare Patrolling Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Urban warfare |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of |  International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine |
| Nickname(s) | OBON |
| Motto(s) | Marşo ya joƶalla ("Freedom or Death") |
| Colors | Ukraine Chechen Republic of Ichkeria |
| Engagements | Battle of Donbas (2022)[1] 2022 Ukrainian southern counteroffensive Eastern Ukraine campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
|
History
editOn July 29, 2022, at a meeting with the leaders of the Chechen volunteers in Kyiv, Akhmed Zakayev announced the creation of a new Chechen armed formation on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4][5]
This formation was named OBON (Separate Special Purpose Battalion) and included in the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine.[5] According to Zakayev himself, as the battalion becomes bigger, it will be transformed into a "Separate Special Purpose Brigade" as part of the International Legion.[6][7]
The unit is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abroad, headed by Akhmed Zakayev. It includes fighters from among the representatives of the Chechen nationality who serve in the Ukrainian army, as well as volunteers from the Chechen diaspora in Europe and abroad.[5]
The officer of the Ukrainian army Khadzhi-Murat Zumsoevsky who served for several years in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was appointed as the commander of the battalion.[4] His deputy is Khavazhi Amaev, a participant in the second Russian-Chechen war and Syrian civil war.[8]
Participation in the Russo-Ukrainian war
editIn the beginning of August 2022, the battalion took part in the battles in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.[9] In August–September 2022, the battalion has taken part in the Ukrainian counteroffensive of the southern regions.[10] On May 13, 2023 member of the battalion Hussein Dzhambetov defected to the Russian side.[11] In September 2023, the unit is fighting on the Verbove-Novopokrovka front.[citation needed]
On September 26, 2024, the media outlet of the Chechen government in exile announced the formation of a new UAV unit to participate in drone warfare against the Russian Armed Forces, called “Stiglara Tajzar” (meaning “Heavenly Wrath” in Chechen). [12]
Structure
edit- Hadzji-Murad Zumso Group.
- Abdul-Hakim Shishani Group.
- Muslim Sadayev's Group.
- Khavazhi Amaev's Group.
- Stiglara Tajzar
Commanders
edit- Rustam Azhiev – colonel of the CRI Armed Forces[13]
- Hadji-Murad Zumso – Battalion commander [4]
- Khavazhi Amaev – Deputy battalion commander[8]
- Muslim Sadaev – Captain of the CRI Armed Forces[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Chechen Fighters in Ukraine Set Sights on Homeland". Jamestown. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Mikhalchenko, Lidia (19 November 2022). "Chechen Separatist Fighters Defend Ukraine Against 'Common Enemy' Russia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- ^ "Sheikh Mansur Battalion fighter tells story of traitor who switched to supporting Kadyrov".
- ^ a b c "APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMANDER OF THE OBON ARMED FORCES OF THE CRI IN UKRAINE". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "PRESS CONFERENCE IN KYIV". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Revival of the Defense Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria at the warehouse of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". YouTube (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Akhmed Zakaev in Kiev. Appointment of Hadji-Murat Zumso as commander of the OBON Armed Forces of the CRI in Ukraine". YouTube (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "Orders numbered 22-32 of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the ChRI". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "A unit under the command of Hadji-Murat Zumso in the Donetsk Region". YouTube. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Ichkerian Battalion Fighters Liberate Village Of Arkhangelske In Kherson Region". Charter97. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Променял Ичкерию на Кадырова: воевавший за Украину боец вернулся в Чечню". 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Объявление Вооруженных Сил Чеченской Республики Ичкерия". thechechenpress.com. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Абдул Хаким Ажиев. Полковник ВС ЧРИ. Назначение зам И.О. Верховного Главнокомандующего ВС ЧРИ". thechechenpress.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.