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The Pyatnashka International Brigade, or simply the Pyatnashka , is a military unit of the 87th Rifle Regiment of the Russian Ground Forces. Until 1 January 2023, it was part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). It is attached to the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.[1] It mainly consists of international volunteers. The brigade is led by Akhra Avidzba, an officer of Abkhaz origin.[2]
| International Brigade "Pyatnashka" | |
|---|---|
| Интернациональная Бригада «Пятнашка», Жәларбжьаратәи абригада "Пиатнашка" | |
 | |
| Active | 2014–present |
| Country |  Donetsk People's Republic (2015–2022) Russia (2022–present) |
| Branch | DPR People's Militia (2015–2022) Russian Ground Forces (2022–present) |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of |  51st Combined Arms Army |
| Nickname(s) | The Fifteen |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Akhra Avidzba |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
History
editWar in Donbas
edit
The battalion was formed in the summer of 2014. It was nicknamed "The Fifteen" in reference to the unit's original strength of 15 soldiers. The battalion would take part in the multiple battles of the War in Donbas.[3]
It began as a unit for the Republican Guard of the DPR, it is named after the first 15 volunteers in Donetsk, which included its leader Akhra Avidzba, a veteran of the Abkhazian conflict. The Pyatnashka battalion defended a checkpoint in Staronavtiv street just south of the Donetsk International Airport, where heavy fighting was ongoing.[4]
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
editThe battalion fought against the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[5][dead link] The battalion was heavily involved in the Battle of Avdiivka[6][7] In March 2024, it was reported that the battalion had accepted Chinese volunteers.[8] The Brigade was later transferred from the Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk Oblast to Kursk Oblast along with the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in order to aid in defending against the Ukrainian inclusion into Kursk.[9][10]
Foreign fighters
editThe brigade has international volunteers of many different nationalities. The presence of British, Chinese, French, Japanese, and Serbian fighters have been confirmed over different periods of time.[11][12][13][14][15]
On August 24, 2024, the brigade announced that they have recruited Indonesians to its ranks.[16]
Structure
editPyatnashka has connections to KPRF[17][18] and follows a Marxist-Leninist ideology.
Units
edit- "Night Wolves" drone detachment[19]
References
edit- ^ "1-я Славянская бригада ДНР: история создания, состав и боевой путь". amalantra.ru. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Ukrainian company uses social media, open source technology to counter Russian invasion". PBS NewsHour. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "The Battle of Ilovaisk". Forensic Architecture. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Crowther, Edward (May 2023). War in Ukraine: Volume 3: Armed Formations of the Luhansk People's Republic 2014-2022. Helion Limited. ISBN 978-1-80451-217-3.
- ^ "Critical Threats". Critical Threats. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Chapple, Amos (2023-11-07). "Red Flags: Soviet Symbols Return To Russia's Military". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Inside What Remains Of Russian-Occupied Avdiyivka". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Giustino, Mariano (2024-03-12). "Vladimir Putin's mercenaries". Pamfleti. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Russia's offensive on Pokrovsk: Is it possible to stop the invaders in this area?". 12 August 2024.
- ^ Harward, Christina; Gasparyan, Davit; Mappes, Grace; Evans, Angelica; Barros, George; Stepanenko, Kateryna (10 August 2024). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 10, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Zivanovic, Maria (December 13, 2018). "Donbass Brothers: How Serbian Fighters Were Deployed in Ukraine". Balkan Insight.
- ^ "Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. - National Security News". nationalsecuritynews.com. 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Writter, Staff (2024-03-27). "British Mercenaries Fighting For Russia in Ukraine Labelled Traitors". Taarifa Rwanda. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "Interview] Daisaku Kaneko, the only Japanese "Volunteer Soldier in the Russian Army," reveals "Why I am fighting against Ukraine". FRIDAY DIGITAL. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ "Intelligence services keep watch as pro-Russia French fighters return from Donbas". Intelligence Online. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War".
- ^ "Делегация во главе с К.К. Тайсаевым работает в Донецкой Народной Республике".
- ^ "Командир батальона «Пятнашка» встретился с членами КПРФ".
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2024-10-26.