Separatist forces of the war in Donbass


Separatist forces of the War in Donbass, or the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya, is the umbrella name for the militias and armed volunteer groups affiliated with the unrecognized political union called Novorossiya. It consists of the Donbass People's Militia, the Luhansk People's Militia and autonomous armed groups. They are regarded as terrorist groups by the Government of Ukraine.
The Donbass People's Militia was formed by Pavel Gubarev, who was elected "People's Governor" of Donetsk Oblast by a mob of pro-Russian protesters. It was originally involved in taking control of Ukrainian government buildings in the Donetsk Oblast. Tensions increased to the point of the militia being actively involved in fighting a war against the Ukrainian government in the Donbass region of Ukraine. The militia was accused by the Ukrainian government of culpability in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on 17 July 2014, but the Donetsk People's Republic disputed this claim. The militias of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic merged into one group on 16 September 2014, forming the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".
It is widely believed that the separatists are supported by the Russian Armed Forces. Although the Russian government often denies direct involvement stating that their soldiers were there voluntarily and not under orders, some of them were detained riding their combat vehicles with documents proving their origin in Russian armed forces. A college director at the Donetsk Academy of Motor Transport living under the Donetsk People's Republic has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for taking pictures of Russian vehicles in Eastern Ukraine, under the accounts of "spying". Moreover, separatists admitted receiving supplies from Russia and being trained there. BBC reported that separatist ranks are composed of thousands of Russian citizens, and NATO accused Russia of deploying their regular troops into Ukraine. Registered Cossacks of the Russian Federation have been reported to be supporting separatists in the conflict as well. Head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko claimed in August 2014 that there are around 3,000 to 4,000 Russian volunteers fighting for the militia, which includes current and many retired Russian Army servicemen.

History

On 3 March 2014, during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, groups of protesters took control of the regional administration building in Donetsk. A newly created armed opposition group named the Donbass People's Militia participated in it and was led by Pavel Gubarev. This happened when 11 Ukrainian cities with significant populations of ethnic Russians erupted in demonstrations against the new Ukrainian government. On 6 April 2014, 2,000 pro-Russian protesters rallied outside the regional administration building. On the same day, groups of protesters in Eastern Ukraine stormed the regional administration building in Kharkiv, and the SBU headquarters in Luhansk. The groups created a people's council and demanded a referendum like in Crimea. Within a few days, several government buildings in cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk were also stormed. On 12 April, the supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic and members of Donbass People's Militia set up checkpoints and barricades in Sloviansk. The same day, former members of the Donetsk "Berkut" unit joined the ranks of the Donbass People's Militia.
On 13 April, the newly established Ukrainian government gave the separatists a deadline to disarm or face a "full-scale anti-terrorist campaign" in the region. Later that day, the first reports of fighting was reported between the people's militia and Ukrainian troops near Sloviansk, with casualties on both sides. On 14 April, members of the Donbass People's Militia blocked Ukrainian military KrAZ truck's armed with Grad missiles from entering the city.
On 15 April, a full scale "Anti-Terrorist Operation" was launched by the Ukrainian government with aim of restoring their authority over the areas seized by the militia.
during a rehearsal for the 2015 Victory Day parade
On 16 April, the militia entered Sloviansk with six BMD airborne amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicles they obtained from parts of the 25th Airborne Brigade who had switched allegiance. The "occupants" were disarmed after the vehicles were blockaded by locals. The militia also received one self-propelled 120 mm mortar 2S9 "Nona-S" On April 20, an unidentified armed group in civilian clothes attacked a Militia checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Sloviansk. Three attackers and three members of Militia were killed. On May 14, eight members of Militia seized an IMR armored vehicle from Novokramatorsky Mashinostroitelny Zavod.
On May 15, the Donbass People's Militia sent an ultimatum to Kiev. They ordered the withdraw all Ukrainian troops from Donetsk oblast. On May 17, several members of the militia seized two BRDM unarmed armored vehicles from Severodonetsk and Lysychansk On May 22, the Federal State of Novorossiya was declared. On May 23, several members of people's militia seized another BRDM-RKh unarmed armored vehicle from Loskutovka
The militia were widely suspected to be involved in the downing of a civilian airliner, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, on 17 July 2014.
On August 8, the militia claimed that after battles near border with Russia, they captured 67 pieces of equipment with varying status, including 18 multiple rocket launching systems "Grad", 15 tanks and armored personnel carriers, howitzers, MANPADS, etc. As of August 12, the militia has at least 200 armored vehicles.
The months of July and early August were disastrous for the militias with many analysts saying they were on the verge of defeat before a sudden counteroffensive, which the Ukrainian Government claims was supported by Russian troops, encircled thousands of Ukrainian troops and forced them into a retreat. The militias soon re-captured several strategic positions such as Savur-Mohyla and Luhansk International Airport. The armies of both the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic merged on 16 September 2014 to form the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".
On 2 February 2015, Head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, announced that there would be a general mobilization in the DPR of 10,000 volunteers, and he aimed to eventually expand the NAF to 100,000 soldiers.
On 20 May 2015 the leadership of the Federal State of Novorossiya announced the termination of the confederation 'project' but the United Armed Forces was retained as the joint armed service of the DPR and LPR.

Structure

The militias consist of different armed groups, which took the oath for Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. Militant groups which refused to do it were disarmed as gangs in the DPR. Other groups are autonomous forces.
According to The Ukrainian Week, there is a Donetsk Operative Command set up in May 2016 by Russia that coordinates military efforts of the Donetsk People's Republic. The tank battalions they claim Russia can deploy is the DPR Diesel Battalion, and LPR August Battalion. Euromaidan Press reported in September 2018 that the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya comprised two army corps: the 1st corp called the “People’s Militia of the DNR” and the 2nd corps called “People’s Militia of the LNR”.
On 28 December 2018 commander of the Ukrainian Navy Ihor Voronchenko claimed that the DPR had created a flotilla stationed at Novoazovsk made up of about 25 converted fishing boats. According to Voronchenko the DPR had named this flotilla the "9th Regiment of the Marine Corps".

Combat forces

Donetsk People's Republic

Donbass People's Militia
LPR People's Militia. Formerly known as Army of the South-East until late 2014.
Donetsk People's Republic
Luhansk People's Republic
According to independent sources, rebels mostly used equipment that was available domestically before the Ukrainian crisis. However, the rebels were also seen using weapons that were not known to be exported to or otherwise available in Ukraine. Appearance of some of the latest models of Russian military equipment, which was never exported outside of Russia, is particularly noteworthy.
According to the Donetsk People's Republic, all its military equipment is "hardware that we took from the Ukrainian military". However, according to the Ukrainian government and the United States Department of State, this is a false statement and claim the separatists have received military equipment from Russia, including multiple rocket launch systems and tanks. Despite the fact that Russian officials deny supplying arms to the militia, numerous evidence proves that it is true. In August 2014 Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletey claimed the proof for the weapons supply from Russia was that the fighters of the Donbass People's Militia were using Russian-made weapons that were never used by the Ukrainian army.
Among such exclusively Russian equipment seen with pro-Russian separatists are Russian modifications of tank T-72, infantry fighting vehicle BTR-82AM, armored personnel carriers BPM-97, sophisticated anti-aircraft system Pantsir-S1, multipurpose vehicle GAZ Vodnik, Russian modifications of MT-LB, rocket-propelled flamethrower MRO-A, anti-tank missile Kornet, anti-materiel rifle ASVK, suppressed sniper rifle VSS Vintorez and others.

Military education

The Georgy Beregovoy Military-Physical Training Lyceum is an educational facility of the People's Militia, being akin to the Suvorov Military School or the Ivan Bohun Military High School. It was established on 15 May 1993 by decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as thw Donetsk Higher Military-Political School of Engineering and Signal Corps. From 1993 to 2000, the Lyceum was with a three-year form of study. Over two decades, 2,793 graduates graduated from the institution, more than 1,000 of them currently serve in officer posts in various power structures of Ukraine. It was renamed and converted in 2014, after which it has graduated more than 300 students since. The school is open to boys between 14 and 16 years old, many of which come from military families. The cadets live at the school for 6 days a week.

Relationship with Russia

As the conflict intensified, the Donbass People's Militia was bolstered with many volunteers from the former Soviet Union, mainly Russia; including fighters from Chechnya and North Ossetia.
According to the Ukrainian government and the United States Department of State the Donbass People's Militia have received military equipment from Russia, including Russian tanks and multiple rocket launchers. Russia denied doing this and has described the Russian citizens fighting with the Donbass People's Militia as volunteers. The Donetsk People's Republic claimed on 16 August 2014 it had received 1,200 "individuals who have gone through training over a four-month period on the territory of the Russian Federation". Prime Minister of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko stated in August 2014 that they have not received military equipment from Russia; but that all its military equipment is "hardware that we took from the Ukrainian military".
The injured of the Donbass People's Militia were exclusively treated in Russia. During mid-August 2014, hospitals such as the Donetsk Central Hospital in Donetsk, Russia attended to between 10 and 20 injured fighters daily. The Russian Emergency Ministry assisted with treatment logistics. Those questioned and registered by the Federal Security Service and treated in Russia during this period stated that they would not return to Ukraine if the Ukrainian army won the War in Donbass, but would, instead, engage in a partisan warfare campaign in Eastern Ukraine.