Separate Special Purpose Battalion

The Separate Special Purpose Battalion of the Ministry of Defense of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria,[2] also known as OBON,[3] is a military commando formation of Chechen volunteers, functioning as part of the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine. It is one of several Chechen armed volunteer formations on the side of Ukraine. It was created by Akhmed Zakayev on July 29, 2022, on the basis of a Chechen formation that has been fighting on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Main article: Chechen volunteers on the side of Ukraine
Separate Special Purpose Battalion
Flag of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
FoundedJuly 2022
Country Ukraine
Allegiance Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)
 Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Branch International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine
TypeCommando
RoleAnti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Close-quarters combat
Cold-weather warfare
Counterinsurgency
Direct action
Irregular warfare
Mountain warfare
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Urban warfare
SizeBattalion
Nickname(s)OBON
Motto(s)Marşo ya joƶalla ("Freedom or Death")
Colors Ukraine
 Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
EngagementsBattle of Donbas (2022)[1]
2022 Ukrainian southern counteroffensive
Eastern Ukraine campaign
Commanders
Current
commander
  • Hadzji-Murad Zumso
  • Khavazhi Amaev

History

On July 29, 2022, at a meeting with the leaders of the Chechen volunteers in Kyiv, Akhmed Zakayev announced the creation of a new Chechen armed formation on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4][5]

This formation was named OBON (Separate Special Purpose Battalion) and included in the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine.[5] According to Zakayev himself, as the battalion becomes bigger, it will be transformed into a "Separate Special Purpose Brigade" as part of the International Legion.[6][7]

The unit is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abroad, headed by Akhmed Zakayev. It includes fighters from among the representatives of the Chechen nationality who serve in the Ukrainian army, as well as volunteers from the Chechen diaspora in Europe and abroad.[5]

The officer of the Ukrainian army Khadzhi-Murat Zumsoevsky who served for several years in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was appointed as the commander of the battalion.[4] His deputy is Khavazhi Amaev, a participant in the second Russian-Chechen war and Syrian civil war.[8]

Participation in the Russo-Ukrainian war

In the beginning of August 2022, the battalion took part in the battles in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.[9] In August–September 2022, the battalion has taken part in the Ukrainian counteroffensive of the southern regions.[10] on the 13th May 2023 Hussein Dzhambetov defected to the Russian side.[11] In September 2023, the unit is fighting on the Verbove-Novopokrovka front.

Structure
  • Hadzji-Murad Zumso Group.
  • Abdul-Hakim Shishani Group.
  • Muslim Sadayev's Group.
  • Khavazhi Amaev's Group.

Commanders

See also

References
  1. "Chechen Fighters in Ukraine Set Sights on Homeland". Jamestown. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  2. Mikhalchenko, Lidia (19 November 2022). "Chechen Separatist Fighters Defend Ukraine Against 'Common Enemy' Russia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  3. "Sheikh Mansur Battalion fighter tells story of traitor who switched to supporting Kadyrov".
  4. "APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMANDER OF THE OBON ARMED FORCES OF THE CRI IN UKRAINE". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  5. "PRESS CONFERENCE IN KYIV". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  6. "Revival of the Defense Forces of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria at the warehouse of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". YouTube (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  7. "Akhmed Zakaev in Kiev. Appointment of Hadji-Murat Zumso as commander of the OBON Armed Forces of the CRI in Ukraine". YouTube (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  8. "Orders numbered 22-32 of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the ChRI". The Chechen Press (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  9. "A unit under the command of Hadji-Murat Zumso in the Donetsk Region". YouTube. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  10. "Ichkerian Battalion Fighters Liberate Village Of Arkhangelske In Kherson Region". Charter97. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  11. "Променял Ичкерию на Кадырова: воевавший за Украину боец вернулся в Чечню". 17 May 2023.
  12. "Абдул Хаким Ажиев. Полковник ВС ЧРИ. Назначение зам И.О. Верховного Главнокомандующего ВС ЧРИ". thechechenpress.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
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