49th Infantry Battalion (Ukraine)

The Carpathian Sich 49th Infantry Battalion (Ukrainian: 49-й окремий піхотний батальйон «Карпатська Січ», romanized: 49-i okremyi pikhotnyi batalion «Karpatska Sich»), formerly known as the 49th Rifle Battalion (Ukrainian: 49-й окремий стрілецький батальйон, romanized: 49-i okremyi striletskyi batalion) and informally as the Carpathian Sich Separate Volunteer Battalion (Ukrainian: окрема добровольча чота «Карпатська Січ», romanized: okrema dobrovolcha chota «Karpatska Sich») or the "Carpathian Sich" Battalion (Ukrainian: Батальйон «Карпатська Січ», romanized: Batalion «Karpatska Sich»), is a battalion of the Ukrainian Ground Forces established in May 2022. It previously existed from 2014 to 2016.

Not to be confused with Sich Battalion or Carpathian Sich.
49th Infantry Battalion
49-й окремий піхотний батальйон
Active2014–2016, 2022–present
Country Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Ground Forces
RoleInfantry
Nickname(s)Carpathian Sich Battalion
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Oleh Kutsyn

History

Following the beginning of the war in Donbas, Oleh Kutsyn organised a group of volunteers dedicated to providing aid to Ukrainian soldiers. In the summer of 2014, the volunteers joined the National Guard of Ukraine.[1] On 23 May 2015, they officially became part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The same year, they participated in the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport, the Battle of Debaltseve, and the Battle of Marinka.[2]

However, on 13 April 2016, the Carpathian Sich Battalion was disbanded. Kutsyn claimed he had been deceived by the leadership of the 93rd Mechanised Brigade, which it had subordinated itself to under the condition that it was permitted to remain in the Donbas. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces disputed this, saying the volunteer battalion had been dissolved to bring the Armed Forces of Ukraine up to the standards of NATO, and that Carpathian Sich Battalion members had been given the offer to join other units.[2]

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Following the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kutsyn re-founded the battalion with other former members. The new battalion fought in Kyiv Oblast, at the battles of Irpin, Bucha, Kyiv, and Brovary. Following the successful repulsion of the Kyiv offensive by Ukrainian forces, the battalion again became an official part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on 19 May 2022. It was then sent to the Eastern Ukraine campaign, where it fought at the Battle of Izium. There, Kutsyn was killed by Russian forces on 19 June 2022.[3][4] The battalion is now commanded by a 58-year old, formerly retired career soldier, who uses the code name Swat.[5] During the Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive, the battalion has been on the forefront of the fighting at Izium and Lyman, both strategically important cities, to provide flanking support. On October 3, 2022, they seized an additional settlement to the east, secured a series of dams, and more settlements in northern Donetsk province.

As of 4 January 2023, the battalion is participating in the Battle of the Svatove–Kreminna line.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Загинув командир батальйону «Карпатська Січ» Олег Куцин" [Carpathian Sich Battalion commander Oleh Kutsyn killed]. Ukrinform (in Ukrainian). 19 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. Stek, Levko (13 April 2016). "Створюється наймана армія, яка не здатна перемагати – командир «Карпатської Січі»" [A mercenary army that cannot win is being created - Carpathian Sich commander]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  3. "У боях з російськими окупантами загинув командир батальйону "Карпатська Січ"" ["Carpathian Sich" battalion commander killed in battle against Russian occupiers]. TSN (in Ukrainian). 19 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  4. "На фронті загинув командир батальйону "Карпатська Січ" | Громадське телебачення". hromadske.ua (in Ukrainian). 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  5. Gall, Carlotta; Prickett, Ivor (7 October 2022). "'They Are in a Panic': Ukraine's Troops Size Up the Enemy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. "Бійці батальйону «Карпатська Січ» біля Кремінної (фотогалерея)" [Carpathian Sich battalion fighters near Kremmina (photo gallery)]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Ukrainian). 4 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
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