Karelian National Battalion

The Karelian National Battalion (Ukrainian: Карельський національний батальйон, romanized: Kareľśkyj nacionaľnyj bataľjon, Karelian: Karjalan Kansallini Pataljona) was proclaimed as a voluntary military unit consisting of ethnic Karelians, functioning as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine.[2]

Karelian National Battalion
Карельський національний батальйон
Kareľśkyj Nacionaľnyj Bataľjon
Karjalan Kansallini Pataljona
Insignia
Active1 January 2023 - present[1]
Country Ukraine
Branch Territorial Defense
TypeForeign volunteer battalion
RoleLight infantry[1]
SizeUnknown
Part ofInternational Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine
Nickname(s)Ukki Väinämöinen
Engagements
WebsiteOfficial Telegram channel
Commanders
Current
commander		Unknown

It was formed in January 2023 by active members of the Karelian National Movement who announced the creation of the battalion bearing the name "Vaseli Levonen" with the goals to achieve the liberation of Karelia from "Russian occupation" and the independence of the region.[3]

History

Formation

The formation of the unit occurred in January 2023 by representative members of the Karelian National Movement, announcing the creation of the Karelian Unit within the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine. Activists claim that the intention of the battalion is to fight against the Russian invaders in Ukraine and eventually achieve the liberation of Karelia from Russian occupation and the full independence of the region.[2][4]

The battalion bears the name "Ukki Väinämöinen", also known as Vaseli Levonen, which is shown on the battalion's distinct insignia. Vaseli Levonen was a Karelian ideological leader known for his role in the East Karelian uprising against the Soviet Union in the years 1921-1922.[5]

Propaganda

According to Ukraina Moloda the battalion noted that during the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland, Ukrainian units defended the territory of Karelia on the side of the Armed Forces of Finland while being commanded by the former Holnodyarsk chieftain, lieutenant colonel of the Ukrainian People's Army, Yuriy Gorlis-Gorsky.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Karelian National Battalion". Militaryland.net. 28 September 2023.
  2. "У складі Збройних сил України створено окремий Карельський національний батальйон". January 31, 2023. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  3. "КАРЕЛЬСЬКИЙ НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ БАТАЛЬЙОН У СКЛАДІ ЗСУ СТВОРИЛИ АКТИВІСТИ". January 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  4. "Карели створили свій батальйон в складі ЗСУ". January 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  5. "Карельські націоналісти створили батальйон у складі ЗСУ і пообіцяли боротися за звільнення краю від російської окупації". January 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
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