Russian separatist forces in Donbas

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Russian separatist forces in Donbas
Сепаратистские силы на Донбассе
War flag of Novorussia.svg
War flag of Novorossiya militia
Founded3 March 2014[1]
(as Donbas People's Militia)
Current form16 September 2014[2]
WebsiteOfficial Website of the Directorate of the People's Militsiya of the DPR
Leadership
Supreme Commanders-in-ChiefDonetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin
Luhansk People's Republic Leonid Pasechnik
Commanders of the People's Militia DirectorateDonetsk People's Republic Major General Denis Sinenkov[3]
Luhansk People's Republic Guards Colonel Yan Leshchenko[4]
Personnel
Active personnel~44,000 (2021 Est)[5]
Industry
Foreign suppliers Russia[6]
Related articles
HistoryWar in Donbas
Russo-Ukrainian War

Russian separatist forces in Donbas are militias and armed volunteer groups affiliated with the unrecognized pro-Russian breakaway regions in the Donbas region of Ukraine: the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR). The main groups are the Donetsk People's Militia and Lugansk People's Militia, which have been fighting the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donbas War. They are designated as terrorist groups by the Government of Ukraine.[7]

The Donbas People's Militia was formed in March 2014 by Pavel Gubarev, who was elected "People's Governor" of Donetsk Oblast.[8] The Army of the South-East was formed in April 2014 in Luhansk Oblast. They were originally involved in taking control of Ukrainian government buildings in the oblasts. Tensions increased to the point of the Ukrainian government launching what they called an Anti-Terrorist Operation against the militas, triggering the War in Donbas. The militias were accused by the Ukrainian government of culpability in shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in July 2014, but separatist leaders denied it.[9] In September 2014, the militias of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics merged under the umbrella of the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya (Russian: Объединённые Вооруженные Силы Новороссии; acronym NAF),[2][10] which was to be affiliated with the unrecognized political union of Novorossiya (New Russia). The two militias became the DPR 1st Army Corps[11] and LPR 2nd Army Corps.[12] However, the Novorossiya project was suspended in May 2015.

It is widely believed that the separatists are supported by the Russian Armed Forces.[13] Ukraine, the United States, and some analysts consider 1st and 2nd Army Corps to be Russian formations under the command of the 8th Combined Arms Army,[14][15][16][17] which was formed in 2017 in Novocherkassk, Rostov oblast. Although the Russian government often denies direct involvement, saying their soldiers were there voluntarily and not under orders, some of them were captured with documents that said otherwise.[18] The separatists have admitted receiving supplies from Russia and being trained there. BBC reported that separatist ranks are composed of thousands of Russian citizens.[18][19] Registered Cossacks of the Russian Federation are also supporting the separatists. DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko claimed in August 2014 that there were around 3,000 to 4,000 Russian volunteers fighting for his militia, which included serving and retired Russian Army servicemen.[20] It is alleged that since September 2015, the separatist units, at the battalion level and up, are acting under direct command of Russian Army officers, with former local commanders sometimes serving as their deputies.[21]

History[edit]

Pro-Russian rally in Donetsk on April 6, 2014

On 3 March 2014, during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, groups of protesters took control of the regional administration building in Donetsk.[22] A newly created armed opposition group named the Donbas People's Militia participated in it and was led by Pavel Gubarev.[22] This happened when 11 Ukrainian cities with significant populations of ethnic Russians erupted in demonstrations against the new Ukrainian government.[22] On 6 April 2014, 2,000 pro-Russian protesters rallied outside the regional administration building.[23] On the same day, groups of protesters in Eastern Ukraine stormed the regional administration building in Kharkiv, and the SBU headquarters in Luhansk.[8] The groups created a people's council and demanded a referendum like in Crimea.[23][nb 1] Within a few days, several government buildings in cities such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk were also stormed.[32][33] On 12 April, the supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic and members of Donbas People's Militia set up checkpoints and barricades in Sloviansk.[34][35][36] The same day, former members of the Donetsk "Berkut" unit joined the ranks of the Donbas People's Militia.[37]

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.[38] 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.[39][40] On 14 April, members of the Donbas People's Militia blocked Ukrainian military KrAZ truck's armed with Grad missiles from entering the city.[41][42] 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.[43]

Sloviansk city council under control of Russian Registered Cossacks[44] on 14 April 2014
DPR troops in Donetsk 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[45][46] they obtained from parts of the 25th Airborne Brigade[47] who had switched allegiance.[48][49][50] A Ukrainian military column was disarmed after the vehicles were blockaded by locals in Kramatorsk.[51] The militia also received one self-propelled 120 mm mortar 2S9 "Nona-S"[52][53] 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.[54] On May 14, eight members of Militia seized an IMR armored vehicle from Novokramatorsky Mashinostroitelny Zavod.[55]

On May 15, the Donbas People's Militia sent an ultimatum to Kiev. They demanded the withdrawal of all Ukrainian troops from Donetsk oblast.[56] On May 17, several members of the militia seized two BRDM unarmed armored vehicles from Severodonetsk and Lysychansk (Luhansk Oblast)[57] 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 (Luhansk Oblast)[58]

In July 2014, it was estimated that the manpower of the separatists was around 10,000 – 20,000 personnel.[59][60]

The militia were widely suspected to be involved in the downing of a civilian airliner, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, on 17 July 2014.[61][62]

On August 8, the militia claimed that after battles near border with Russia, they captured 67 pieces of equipment with varying status (serviceable equipment without ammunition and fuel, with faults, damaged in battle and completely unusable), including 18 multiple rocket launching systems "Grad", 15 tanks and armored personnel carriers, howitzers, MANPADS, etc.[63] As of August 12, the militia has at least 200 armored vehicles.[64]

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.[65] The militias soon re-captured several strategic positions such as Savur-Mohyla and Luhansk International Airport.[66] The armies of both the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) merged on 16 September 2014 to form the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".[2][67] It was formed under the command of Lieutenant General Ivan Korsun as commander-in-chief.[68]

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.[69]

In March 2015, the estimated manpower of the separatists rose to 30,000 – 35,000 personnel.[70]

On 20 May 2015 the leadership of the Federal State of Novorossiya announced the termination of the confederation 'project'[71] but the United Armed Forces was retained as the joint armed service of the DPR and LPR.[72]

Structure[edit]

Oplot Brigade during a rehearsal for the 2015 Victory Day parade

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.[73] Other groups are autonomous forces.[74]

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.[75] The tank battalions they claim Russia can deploy is the DPR Diesel Battalion, and LPR August Battalion.[75] 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”.[76]

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.[77] According to Voronchenko the DPR had named this flotilla the "9th Regiment of the Marine Corps".[77]

Combat forces[edit]

Flag of the Vostok Battalion
Flag of the Sparta Battalion
Flag of the Somalia Battalion

Donetsk People's Republic[edit]

1445528704 8r94r klga0.jpg DPR Armed Forces (Russian: Вооружённые силы ДНР) – Formed on 14 November 2014.

  • 1st Slavyansk Brigade SSI (2016).png 1st Sloviansk Brigade (Russian: 1-ая Славянская бригада) – Brigade that was formerly commanded by Igor “Strelkov” Girkin.[78]
  • Patriotic Forces of Donbas[79] (Russian: Патриотические силы Донбасса)
    • Vostok Brigade SSI (2015).png Vostok Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Восток», meaning "East Brigade") – Special forces brigade that was founded and led by Alexander Khodakovsky.[80][81] It has foreign volunteers including Russians and North Ossetians.[82] Began as a battalion, and as of June 2014 had about 500 men according to Khodakovsky.[82] It later increased to a brigade.[83]
      • ReceBogaSwargi.svg Slavic Unification and Revival Battalion or Svarozhich Battalion – The battalion was formed by members of the Rodnovery (Slavic native faith) movement, at its peak 1,200 fighters, which is now part of the Vostok Brigade.[84][85]
  • Oplot Brigade SSI.png Oplot Brigade (Russian: Батальон «Оплот», meaning "Bulwark Battalion") – Commanded by Alexander Zakharchenko.[86][87] Originally a battalion, it expanded to a brigade by May 2015.
  • Flag of the Russian Orthodox Army.svg Russian Orthodox Army (Russian: Русская православная армия) – A senior commander of the unit is Alexander Verin.[87] One of the armed groups, which control Donetsk, formed mostly by locals from coal mine towns.[88] It reportedly had 100 members at the time of its founding. According to Ukrainian sources, in June 2014 has at least 350 fighters.[89] According to independent sources as fighting between separatists and the Ukrainian government worsened in Donbas, membership rose to 4,000.[90]
  • Flag of the Miner's Division.svg Miners' Division (Russian: Шахтёрская дивизия) – Founded shortly after the rebel withdrawal from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. It is commanded by Konstantin Kuzmin. Fighters typically range from ages 22–60. Composed of former coal miners.[91]
  • Consolidated Orthodox Battalion "Voshod" or Voshod Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Восход», meaning "Sunrise Battalion") – Formed in June 2014, it had 300 fighters.[93]
  • Steppe Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Степь»)[94]
  • DPR Security Service Battalion (Russian: Батальон службы безопасности Донецкой народной республики) – Security Service of the Donetsk People's Republic.[92]
  • SSI of the Sparta Battalion.svg Sparta Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Спарта») – Special forces battalion formed and led by Arsen Pavlov, known by the call sign Motorola until his assassination. His successor was Vladimir Zhoga, from Sloviansk and known by the callsign Voha.[95]
  • SSI of the Somalia Battalion.svg 1st Separate Battalion-Tactical Group "Somalia" or Somalia Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Сомали») – Tactical group led by Lieutenant colonel Mikhail Tolstykh, known by the call sign Givi until his assassination.
  • Emblem-RG-DPR.jpg DPR Republican Guard (Russian: Республиканская гвардия ДНР) – Elite unit created by Alexander Zakharchenko on January 12, 2015.[96][97] Commanded by Major-general Ivan Kondratov, and is composed of six battalions that totals more than 3,000 fighters.[97]
    • Pyatnashka Brigade SSI.png International Brigade "Pyatnashka" or Pyatnashka Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Пятнашка», meaning "15th Brigade") – International brigade commanded by Akhra Avidzba, known by the call sign Abkhaz. DPR positions in Marinka are held by this unit.[98]
  • Diesel Battalion SSI.png Diesel Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Дизель») – Separate tank battalion formed in 2015 that is equipped with Soviet equipment, including T-72B1s.[75][99]
  • Mariupol-Khingan Naval Infantry SSI.png Mariupol-Khingan Naval Infantry (Russian: Мариупольско-Хинганский морская пехота) – Formed in 2016. The name is based on World War II Soviet 221st Infantry Mariupol-Khingan Red Banner Order of Suvorov Division.

Independent DPR forces[edit]

  • International Battalions – Includes Russian, Chechen, Greek, Ossetian, Polish, Hungarian, Serbian, Latvian, Belarusian, Uzbek, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Armenian and other volunteers.[100][101][102][103][104]
  • Varyag Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Варяг»), meaning "Varangian Battalion" – Volunteer battalion commanded by Alexander Matyushin.[110]

Luhansk People's Republic[edit]

The emblem of the People's militia of Lugansk People's Republic.png LPR People's Militia (Russian: Народная милиция ЛНР).

Independent LPR forces[edit]

Flag of the Prizrak Brigade
  • Don Cossacks National Guard Banner.jpg Great Host of Don Cossacks (Russian: Всевеликое войско Донское)[117] – An international organisation that recruits volunteers from Ukraine and Russia.[118]
    • Всевеликое войско Донское (шеврон).png Cossack National Guard (Russian: Казачья Национальная гвардия) – Don Cossack volunteer group commanded by Rashid Shakirzanov.[74] The group has over 4,000 fighters and have access to armor and artillery.[74] From May to November 2014, the group was commanded by Ataman Nikolai Kozitsyn.[74][119] Kozitsyn was forcibly removed from power in November 2014 and replaced by Shakirzanov.[74] The group's headquarters is in Antratsyt, and their rule expands to Krasnyi Luch.[74] Initially, this group was identified as Russian Special Forces by the U.S. State Department following the takeover of the Sloviansk city council.[120] In November 2014, the group instated capital punishment in Perevalsk to deter crime.[121] Kozitsyn stated that there is no more marauding, burglaries or car-jacking in the city.[121] They refused to join the LPR's military command but insist on cooperating with them, remaining autonomous and controlling territory.[74]
  • First Cossack Regiment SSI.png First Cossack Regiment (Russian: Первый казачий полк) – Don Cossack volunteer group commanded by Ataman Pavel Dryomov. The group has around 1,300 fighters, and the headquarters is in Stakhanov.[74] Originally part of Kozitsyn's Cossack National Guard until it split in September 2014.[74] Dryomov denounced the LPR's leadership as being corrupt and "pro-oligarchic".[74] Dryomov was killed on 12 December 2015 when his car was blown up by an unknown perpetrator the day after his wedding.[122]
  • «Ghost» Brigade shoulder patch.png Mechanized Brigade "Prizrak" or Prizrak Brigade (Russian: Бригада «Призрак», meaning "Ghost Brigade") – Mechanized infantry brigade that is commanded by Yuri Shevchenko. It was formed and led by Aleksey Mozgovoy until his assassination on 23 May 2015.[78] The group keeps its distance from the LPR authorities and is based in Alchevsk and the surrounding district.[74]
    • PiotrBiriukovCommunistUnit.jpg DKO (Russian: ДКО – Добровольческий коммунистический отряд) Volunteer Communist Detachment, an international organisation commanded by Piotr Biriukov.[123][124]
    • Unité Continentale emblem.png Continental Unit (French: Unité Continentale) – French, Serbian and Brazilian volunteer group.[125][126]

Former Units/Disbanded[edit]

Donbass People's Militia flag.png Donbas People's Militia (Russian: Народное ополчение Донбасса) – Main militia of the Donetsk People's Republic from 3 March to 16 September 2014.

Flag of the Rapid Response Group "Batman"
  • United Battalions of the DPR and LPR.[127]
    • North Battalion (DPR) (Russian: Батальон «Север») (unofficial)[128]
    • Luhansk People's Militia (Russian: Народное ополчение Луганщины)[129]
      • Battalion Prizrak SSI.png Prizrak Battalion (LPR)

Army of the South-East (Russian: Армия Юго-Востока)[130][131][132][133] – Main militia forces of the Luhansk People's Republic from Mid April to 16 September 2014.

  • SSI of the Rapid Response Group "Batman".svg Rapid Response Group "Batman" or Batman Battalion (Russian: Группа быстрого реагирования «Бэтмен») – Commanded by Alexander Bednov until he was killed in an attack on his convoy on 1 January 2015.[134] Members of the group said that the attack was ordered by head of the Luhansk People's Republic Igor Plotnitsky.[134] According to them, Bednov and his fighters were killed "by order of Plotnitsky" because he was "ordered to sweep all intransigent commanders."[135][136] Following this attack, the LPR arrested some of Bednov's men, and dissolved the battalion.[137] Some of its personnel were dispersed into other LPR units, while DPR field commanders Givi and Motorola invited former members to join their battalions.[137]
    • Kolovrat (Коловрат) Swastika (Свастика) - Rodnovery.svg Rusich Company (Russian: ДШРГ «Русич») – Special forces-type company commanded by Aleksey Milchakov. Made up of far-right Russian and other European volunteers.[137] On July 10, 2015, Milchakov announced that the Rusich Company would be withdrawing from Donbas for retraining and refitting.[138]

Non-combat units[edit]

  • Novorossiya Humanitarian Battalion (Russian: Гуманитарный батальон «Новороссия») – Non-combat unit involved in protecting the delivery of humanitarian aid.[139]

Commanders[edit]

Former Head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko

Donetsk People's Republic Donetsk People's Republic

Luhansk People's Republic Luhansk People's Republic

Equipment[edit]

Main article: List of equipment used by separatist forces of the war in Donbas
Vikings Battalion infantrymen with Russian military equipment in July 2015

According to independent sources,[vague] 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.[146]

According to the Donetsk People's Republic, all its military equipment is "hardware that we took from the Ukrainian military".[147] 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.[6] Despite the fact that Russian officials deny supplying arms to the militia, numerous evidence proves that it is true.[146][6][148] In August 2014 Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletey claimed the proof for the weapons supply from Russia was that the fighters of the Donbas People's Militia were using Russian-made weapons that were never used (or bought) by the Ukrainian army.[149]

Among such exclusively Russian equipment seen with pro-Russian separatists are Russian modifications of tank T-72 (particularly T-72B3 and T-72BA seen destroyed in Ukraine[146][150]), infantry fighting vehicle BTR-82AM (adopted in Russia in 2013),[151][152] armored personnel carriers BPM-97,[153][154] sophisticated anti-aircraft system Pantsir-S1,[155][156] multipurpose vehicle GAZ Vodnik (adopted in Russia in 2005),[153] 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.[146][151]

Military training[edit]

Higher Combined Arms Command School[edit]

The Donetsk Higher Combined Arms Command School (Russian: Донецкого высшего общевойскового командного училища) is a higher level institution in the ideological training of cadets.[157] People from both the DPR and LPR can enroll at the school.[158] It prepare future command cadres in four areas: reconnaissance, tank forces, infantry, and political officers. Upon graduation, the cadets are commissioned as lieutenants. Since the fall of 2016, the Military Lyceum is affiliated to the DHCACS.

Military-Physical Training Lyceum[edit]

Lyceum students on parade.
Members of the lyceum in their white dress uniform.

The Georgy Beregovoy Military-Physical Training Lyceum (Russian: Лицей с усиленной военно-физической подготовкой имени дважды Героя Советского Союза, летчика-космонавта СССР, генерал-лейтенанта Г.Т.Берегового) 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 the 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.[159] It was renamed and converted in 2014, after which it has graduated more than 300 students since.[160] 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.[161]

Relationship with Russia[edit]

As the conflict intensified, the Donbas People's Militia was bolstered with many volunteers from the former Soviet Union, mainly Russia; including fighters from Chechnya and North Ossetia.[162]

According to the Ukrainian government and the United States Department of State the Donbas People's Militia have received military equipment from Russia, including Russian tanks and multiple rocket launchers.[6] Russia denied doing this and has described the Russian citizens fighting with the Donbas People's Militia as volunteers.[6][163] The Donetsk People's Republic claimed on 16 August 2014 it had received (together with 30 tanks and 120 other armoured vehicles of undisclosed origin) 1,200 "individuals who have gone through training over a four-month period on the territory of the Russian Federation".[164][165] 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".[147]

Some of the injured of in the militia were treated in Russia.[162] During mid-August 2014, hospitals such as the Donetsk Central Hospital in Donetsk, Russia attended to between 10 and 20 injured fighters daily.[162] The Russian Emergency Ministry assisted with treatment logistics.[162] Those questioned and registered by the (Russian) Federal Security Service[162] and treated in Russia during this period stated that they would not return to Ukraine if the Ukrainian army won the war in Donbas,[162] but would, instead, engage in a partisan warfare campaign in Eastern Ukraine.[162]

Links with far-right-wing movements[edit]

Some of the Russian separatists are neo-imperialists, who seek to revive the Russian Empire. These included Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin, first "minister of defence" of the Donetsk People's Republic.[166][167] The Russian Imperial Movement has recruited thousands of volunteers to join the separatists.[167] Some separatists have flown the black-yellow-white Russian imperial flag,[166] such as the Sparta Battalion. In 2014, volunteers from the National Liberation Movement joined the Donetsk People's Militia bearing portraits of Tsar Nicholas II.[168]

The neo-Nazi paramilitary organization Russian National Unity of Alexander Barkashov is actively engaged in pro-Russian activism in Donbas conflict.[169][170][171][172]

War crime allegations[edit]

Main article: Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas

A November 2014 United Nations report on Russian separatists in Donbas stated that "cases of serious human rights abuses by the armed groups continued to be reported, including torture, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, summary executions, forced labour, sexual violence, as well as the destruction and illegal seizure of property may amount to crimes against humanity".[173]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Since 13 April 2014 all government buildings in Kharkiv are fully under Ukrainian control.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Kharkiv returned to relative calm by 30 April.[31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Самым неспокойным городом Украины в последние дни неожиданно стал Донецк. «Народное ополчение Донбасса» ... еще 3 марта взяло штурмом областную администрацию"
    Русский и бессмысленный // LENTA.RU от 6 марта 2014
  2. ^ a b c ДНР и ЛНР приступили к созданию Армии Новороссии. Novorossiya (in Russian). 16 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Почётный иуда Донбасса ("Синий")".
  4. ^ "Главарь "милиции ЛНР" Ян Лещенко пострадал при взрыве в Луганске – РосСМИ".
  5. ^ The military balance 2021. Abingdon, Oxon: International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2021. ISBN 978-1032012278.
  6. ^ a b c d e US: Separatists in eastern Ukraine have weapons, military equipment from Russia, Fox News (June 13, 2014)
  7. ^ Steven Rosenburg (5 June 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Donetsk rebel leaders still talking tough". BBC. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  8. ^ a b c "In northeast Ukraine, pro-Maidan occupiers are routed by counter-demonstrators". The Washington Post. March 1, 2014.
  9. ^ Simon Shuster (17 July 2014). "Exclusive: Separatist Leader Says Rebels Did Not Shoot Down Flight MH17". Time. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Donetsk, Luhansk armies to form armed forces". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  11. ^ "Intelligence data on 1st and 2nd Army Corps of Russian Federation in occupied Donbas". Inform Napalm. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  12. ^ John R. Schindler (28 August 2015). "Russia's 'Secret Army' in Ukraine". The Interpreter. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Ukraine crisis: 'Thousands of Russians' fighting in east". BBC. 28 Aug 2014.
    Ukraine conflict: Deadly flare-up on eastern front line, BBC News (18 February 2020)
  14. ^ https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/5/0/457468.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  15. ^ "UAWire – Muzhenko: There are more than 30,000 Russian soldiers in the Donbas". UAWire. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2021-11-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "The Russian and Ukrainian Spring 2021 War Scare". Center for Strategic & International Studies. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2021-11-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Bowen, Andrew S. (2021-11-19). "Russian Troop Movements and Tensions along the Ukrainian Border". Insight. Congressional Research Service.
  18. ^ a b "Captured Russian troops 'in Ukraine by accident'". BBC. 26 Aug 2014.
  19. ^ "Ukrainians say Russian troops captured them in east Ukraine". Reuters. 29 Sep 2014.
  20. ^ Around 3–4 thousand Russian volunteers fighting for Donetsk People's Republic militia. Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  21. ^ Russia and the Separatists in Eastern Ukraine, by Crisis Group Europe and Central Asia Briefing N°79 Kyiv/Brussels, 5 February 2016, page 8
  22. ^ a b c Andrew Roth (3 March 2014). "From Russia, 'Tourists' Stir the Protests". New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Pro-Russia Protesters Storm Government Buildings In Eastern Ukrainian Cities". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  24. ^ "Pro-Russia activists declare establishment of 'Kharkiv people's republic'". Focus Information Agency. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  25. ^ "Kharkiv settles down, while pro-Russian separatists still hold buildings in Luhansk, Donetsk". Kyiv Post. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  26. ^ "Kharkiv city government building infiltrated by pro-Russian protesters". Kyiv Post. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Кернес пообіцяв допомогти звільнити затриманих сепаратистів | Українська правда". Pravda.com.ua. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  28. ^ Kharkiv torn between Europe and Russia, Deutsche Welle (6 March 2014)
  29. ^ "После нападения антимайдановцев на митинг Евромайдана в Харькове пострадало 50 человек : Новости УНИАН". Unian.net. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  30. ^ "Latest from the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine". Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
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