Somalia Battalion


Somalia Battalion is one of the military units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine which participates in the ongoing War in Donbass against Ukrainian army. The battalion's full name is 1st Separate Tank Battalion Somalia. The battalion took the name "Somalia" because, according to its former commander Mikhail Tolstykh alias Givi, its members are as fearless as Somalis. According to Givi, 70% of the battalions personnel previously fought in the 1st Slavyansk Brigade.
The unit is permanently stationed in Donetsk and Makiivka.

Equipment

The battalion has T-64 and T-72 tanks, BMP-1, BTR-70, MT-LB and BRDM-2 armoured fighting vehicles as well as supporting artillery, mortars and transport vehicles.