Combatants of the war in Donbas#Foreign groups

{{Main|Russian separatist forces in Donbas}}

{{See also|List of equipment used by separatist forces of the war in Donbas}}

File:Aleksandr Zakharchenko takes an oath of office as the PM of Donetsk People's Republic.jpg takes an oath of office as the Prime Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic, 8 August 2014.]]

File:2014-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 077.jpg on Victory Day 2014]]

File:2014-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 355.jpg

Igor Girkin, a Russian citizen and FSB officer from Moscow{{Cite news |last1=Vasovic |first1=Aleksandar |last2=Tsvetkova |first2=Maria |date=15 May 2014 |title=This Elusive Muscovite With 3 Names Has Taken Control of Ukraine Rebels |work=Business Insider |location=Australia |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/r-elusive-muscovite-with-three-names-takes-control-of-ukraine-rebels-2014-15?IR=T |access-date=20 May 2014 |archive-date=12 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812002309/http://www.businessinsider.com/r-elusive-muscovite-with-three-names-takes-control-of-ukraine-rebels-2014-15?IR=T |url-status=live }} who commanded the Donbas People's Militia in Sloviansk, initially denied Russian involvement in the insurgency.{{Cite news |last=Rachkevych |first=Mark |date=26 April 2014 |title=Alleged Russian Colonel Strelkov makes public appearance as self-proclaimed chief of 'Donbass People's Militia' |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/alleged-russian-colonel-strelkov-makes-public-appearance-as-chief-of-donbass-peoples-militia-345272.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426135827/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/alleged-russian-colonel-strelkov-makes-public-appearance-as-chief-of-donbass-peoples-militia-345272.html |archive-date=26 April 2014}} He said his unit was formed during the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, and that two-thirds of its members were Ukrainian citizens. Girkin also said that the Sloviansk insurgents had agreed to work with the leadership of the Donetsk People's Republic, despite some conflict between insurgent groups.{{Cite news |date=26 April 2014 |title=Ukraine's Separatist Phantom Comes Out of the Shadows |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/04/26/world/europe/26reuters-ukraine-crisis-strelkov.html?ref=world}} According to a spokesman for the Donetsk People's Republic, the militants that occupied Sloviansk were "an independent group...supporting the Donetsk protest",{{Cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=Ukraine gunmen seize two buildings in Sloviansk |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27000700 |access-date=12 April 2014 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302124759/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27000700 |url-status=live }} while insurgents in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk identified themselves as members of Pavel Gubarev's Donbas People's Militia.{{Cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=Приїжджі загарбники в Краматорську назвалися "народним ополченням" |work=Ukrainska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022227/ |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=14 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114115823/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022227/ |url-status=live }}

The group's forces at Sloviansk included some professional soldiers amongst their ranks, as well as retired veterans, civilians, and volunteers, while those in Donetsk have been confirmed to include former Berkut special police officers.{{Cite news |last=Oliphant |first=Roland |date=12 April 2014 |title=Fears of full-scale Russian invasion as eastern Ukraine cities toppled |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10763008/Fears-of-full-scale-Russian-invasion-as-eastern-Ukraine-cities-toppled.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=7 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207063456/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10763008/Fears-of-full-scale-Russian-invasion-as-eastern-Ukraine-cities-toppled.html |url-status=live }} When asked by The Sunday Telegraph where their weapons had come from, one veteran of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan nodded at the Russian flag flying from the police station and said: "Look at that flag. You know which country that represents". An insurgent commander in Donetsk, Pavel Paramonov, told journalists he was from Tula Oblast in Russia.{{Cite news |last=Shynkarenko |first=Oleg |date=14 April 2014 |title=Russia Tells 'Tourists' How to Go Fight in Ukraine |work=The Daily Beast |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/13/russia-tells-tourists-how-to-go-fight-in-ukraine.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321075323/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/13/russia-tells-tourists-how-to-go-fight-in-ukraine.html |url-status=live }} In Horlivka, police who defected were commanded by a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Russian Army,{{Cite news |date=14 April 2014 |script-title=uk:Штурмом міліції в Горлівці керував російський підполковник |language=uk |trans-title=Militia captured in Horlivka was led by a Russian Colonel |agency=Ukrainian Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/14/7022375/ |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326214443/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/14/7022375/ |url-status=live }} later identified as Igor Bezler. Former Soviet military veteran Vyacheslav Ponomarev, who declared himself mayor of Sloviansk, said that he appealed to old military friends to take part in the militia: "When I called on my friends, practically all of whom are ex military, they came to our rescue, not only from Russia but also from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Moldova."{{Cite news |date=21 April 2014 |title=Ukraine: Photos show undercover Russian troops |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/21/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422141343/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/21/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html |url-status=live }}

A former separatist militant corroborated these stories in an interview with Radio Free Europe. He said that fighters, including some Cossack units, arrived from Russia to support the separatists.{{Cite news |last=Claire Bigg |date=17 May 2014 |title=Pro-Russian Militias Are Torturing People in Eastern Ukraine |work=Business Insider |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-russian-militias-are-torturing-people-in-ukraine-2014-5?IR=T |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204211051/http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-russian-militias-are-torturing-people-in-ukraine-2014-5?IR=T |url-status=live }} Another interview with an insurgent from Saint Petersburg was published in Gazeta. He claimed to be fighting voluntarily as part of the Russian Imperial Movement.{{Cite web |last=Dergachev |first=Vladimir |date=23 May 2014 |script-title=ru:Националистов здесь много |trans-title=There are many nationalists here |url=http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2014/05/23_a_6045501.shtml |access-date=12 June 2014 |publisher=Gazeta.ru |language=ru |archive-date=27 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527060934/http://m.gazeta.ru/politics/2014/05/23_a_6045501.shtml |url-status=live }}

In late July 2014, the local support for the militia within the city of Donetsk was estimated to be 70% by a local entrepreneur interviewed by Die Welt.[https://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/politik/article130653807/Du-wachst-auf-und-ploetzlich-bist-du-im-Krieg.html Du wachst auf und plötzlich bist du im Krieg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308174119/https://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/politik/article130653807/Du-wachst-auf-und-ploetzlich-bist-du-im-Krieg.html |date=8 March 2021 }}. Die Welt. 29 July 2014 Armed groups affiliated with the Luhansk People's Republic were merged with the Donbas People's Militia on 16 September to form the "United Armed Forces of Novorossiya".{{Cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=Kremlin-backed rebels form Novorossiya army |work=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/kremlin-backed-rebels-form-novorossiya-army-364887.html |access-date=19 September 2014 |archive-date=18 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018213124/https://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/war-against-ukraine/kremlin-backed-rebels-form-novorossiya-army-364887.html |url-status=live }}

The Army of the South-East ({{langx|ru|Армия Юго-Востока}}, Armiya Yugo-Vostoka) was a pro-Russian militant group that occupied various buildings in Luhansk Oblast.{{Cite web |last=Luhn |first=Alec |date=13 April 2014 |title=East Ukraine protesters joined by miners on the barricades |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/12/east-ukraine-protesters-miners-donetsk-russia |access-date=3 March 2017 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=21 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021173008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/12/east-ukraine-protesters-miners-donetsk-russia |url-status=live }} According to The Guardian, their personnel include former members of the disbanded Berkut special police. They were affiliated with the Luhansk People's Republic, but were merged with the Donbas People's Militia on 16 September to form the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya.

File:2014. Кузнечный фестиваль в Донецке 068.jpg

{{Main|Russian Orthodox Army}}

The Russian Orthodox Army ({{langx|ru|Русская православная армия}}, Russkaya pravoslavnaya armiya), a pro-Russian insurgent group in Ukraine, originated in May 2014 as part of the insurgency.{{Cite news |date=10 May 2014 |title=У самопровозглашенной Донецкой республики появилась новая армия – Русская православная (In the self-proclaimed republic of Donetsk, a new army – Russian Orthodox) |language=ru |work=InfoResist |url=http://inforesist.org/u-samoprovozglashennoj-doneckoj-respubliki-poyavilas-novaya-armiya-russkaya-pravoslavnaya/ |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511101030/https://inforesist.org/u-samoprovozglashennoj-doneckoj-respubliki-poyavilas-novaya-armiya-russkaya-pravoslavnaya/ |url-status=live }} It reportedly had 100 members at the time of its founding, including locals and Russian volunteers. As fighting between separatists and the Ukrainian government worsened in Donbas, membership rose to 350, and later to 4,000.{{Cite news |date=16 May 2014 |title=Meet the Russian Orthodox Army, Ukrainian Separatists' Shock Troops |work=NBC News |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/meet-russian-orthodox-army-ukrainian-separatists-shock-troops-n107426 |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=22 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722002353/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/meet-russian-orthodox-army-ukrainian-separatists-shock-troops-n107426 |url-status=live }}

Notable engagements of the ROA include the June 2014 skirmishes in Mariupol and Amvrosiivka Raion.{{Cite news |date=13 June 2014 |title=В Мариуполе бойцы Ляшко задержали представителя "Русской православной армии" (In Mariupol Ljashko fighters detained by "Russian Orthodox army") |language=ru |work=Mariupol News |url=http://www.0629.com.ua/news/554582 |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724093304/https://www.0629.com.ua/news/554582 |url-status=live }} The headquarters of the ROA is located in an occupied Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) building in Donetsk city.{{Cite news |date=17 June 2014 |title=Репортаж из казармы Русской Православной Армии (Reports of Russian Orthodox Army barracks) |language=ru |publisher=Dialog.ua |url=http://www.dialog.ua/news/6326_1403014450 |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511101032/https://www.dialog.ua/news/6326_1403014450 |url-status=live }} Members swore allegiance to Igor Girkin ("Strelkov"), insurgent and Minister of Defence of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic. According to the Defence Ministry of Ukraine, the ROA has been in conflict with another pro-Russian militia, the Vostok Battalion, which accused the ROA of looting, and of avoiding combat.{{Cite news |last1=Daryna Krasnolutska |last2=Tony Capaccio |last3=Volodymyr Verbyany |date=27 July 2014 |title=Ukraine Army Advances as EU Plans Tougher Putin Sanctions |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-07-26/putin-isolated-as-eu-prepares-tougher-sanctions-on-russia |access-date=16 January 2015 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511101026/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-07-26/putin-isolated-as-eu-prepares-tougher-sanctions-on-russia |url-status=live }}

File:2015-05-07. Репетиция парада Победы в Донецке 178.jpg military parade in Donetsk]]

File:2018-05-09. День Победы в Донецке 015.jpg

{{main|114th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade}}

The Vostok Battalion ({{langx|ru|Батальон Восток}}, {{langx|uk|Батальйон Схід}}; lit. "East Battalion") was formed in early May 2014. It is commanded by Alexander Khodakovsky, a defector from the Security Service of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=BACZYNSKA |first=GABRIELA |date=1 June 2014 |title=More foreign fighters break cover among Ukraine separatists |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-vostok-idUSKBN0EC1LL20140601 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602100857/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/01/us-ukraine-crisis-vostok-idUSKBN0EC1LL20140601 |archive-date=2 June 2014}} Khodakovsky is the chief of the DPR's security service, and of the Patriotic Forces of Donbas, an insurgent battalion.{{Cite news |last=Weaver |first=Courtney |date=29 May 2014 |title=Ukraine crisis: Paramilitaries seize Donetsk rebels' HQ |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d077cbfa-e75b-11e3-8b4e-00144feabdc0 |access-date=12 June 2014 |work=Financial Times |archive-date=20 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320161427/https://www.ft.com/content/d077cbfa-e75b-11e3-8b4e-00144feabdc0 |url-status=live }}

Khodakovsky said that the "overwhelming majority" of his men came from eastern Ukraine. According to the US government funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Vostok reportedly includes former members of the original Vostok Battalion, a special forces unit of the Russian intelligence directorate (GRU) that participated in the Second Chechen and Russo-Georgian Wars. The original battalion was incorporated in 2009 into a Russian Defence Ministry reserve unit that is based in Chechnya. Khodakovsky said he had about 1,000 men at his disposal, and that more "volunteers" with experience in the Russian security sector were expected to join the battalion. A report by Radio Free Europe said that there were suspicions that the battalion was either created directly by the GRU, or that it was at least sanctioned by it.{{Cite web |last=Claire Bigg |date=30 May 2014 |title=Vostok Battalion, A Powerful New Player in Eastern Ukraine |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/vostok-battalion-a-powerful-new-player-in-eastern-ukraine/25404785.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531013245/http://www.rferl.org/content/vostok-battalion-a-powerful-new-player-in-eastern-ukraine/25404785.html |archive-date=31 May 2014 |access-date=22 June 2014 |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} The battalion includes both fighters from Russia and from Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Oliphant |first=Roland |date=29 May 2014 |title=Ukraine's rebels in crisis after Donetsk 'coup' |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10863933/Ukraines-rebels-in-crisis-after-Donetsk-coup.html |access-date=12 June 2014 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608165543/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10863933/Ukraines-rebels-in-crisis-after-Donetsk-coup.html |url-status=live }} A BBC News report said that the battalion was composed largely of untrained locals from eastern Ukraine, with a smattering of Russian volunteers.{{Cite web |last=Stephen Ennis |date=20 June 2014 |title=UK journalist caught up in Russia-Ukraine media battle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/collegeofjournalism/entries/e3604202-4abb-3930-835f-6e410ceeab98 |access-date=22 June 2014 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=24 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224162133/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/collegeofjournalism/entries/e3604202-4abb-3930-835f-6e410ceeab98 |url-status=live }} Colombian and United States citizens have volunteered in Vostok battalion.{{Cite news|last=Tsvetkova|first=Marko Djurica, Maria|date=2014-09-29|title=American becomes a rebel with a cause in east Ukraine|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-american-idUKKCN0HO17J20140929|access-date=2021-08-31|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831024114/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-american-idUKKCN0HO17J20140929|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Murauskaite|first=Egle|date=February 2020|title=FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN UKRAINE: ASSESSING POTENTIAL RISKS|url=https://vilniusinstitute.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FOREIGN-FIGHTERS-IN-UKRAINE-ASSESSING-POTENTIAL-RISKS.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717083900/https://www.vilniusinstitute.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FOREIGN-FIGHTERS-IN-UKRAINE-ASSESSING-POTENTIAL-RISKS.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2021|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Vilnius Institute}} A number of the Vostok insurgents were killed at the First Battle of Donetsk Airport. 30 bodies were repatriated to Russia after the fighting.{{Cite news |last=Salem |first=Harriet |date=31 May 2014 |title=Ice Cream, Corpses, and the Big Bear: Repatriating Dead Russians From Ukraine |work=Vice News |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ice-cream-corpses-and-the-big-bear-repatriating-dead-russians-from-ukraine/ |access-date=31 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531111818/https://news.vice.com/article/ice-cream-corpses-and-the-big-bear-repatriating-dead-russians-from-ukraine |archive-date=31 May 2014}} Some of the members said they received salaries of 100 US dollars a week, though they maintained that were only volunteers.{{Cite news |last=Andrew Roth |date=4 June 2014 |title=A Separatist Militia in Ukraine With Russian Fighters Holds a Key |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/world/europe/in-ukraine-separatist-militia-with-russian-fighters-holds-a-key.html |access-date=7 November 2014 |archive-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010033251/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/world/europe/in-ukraine-separatist-militia-with-russian-fighters-holds-a-key.html |url-status=live }} An Armenian volunteer in the unit said the battalion was composed of Slavs, and that roughly 80% of militants were from Russia.{{Cite news |date=13 July 2014 |title=Interview: I Was A Separatist Fighter In Ukraine |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-i-was-a-separatist-fighter/25455466.html |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-date=25 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725204940/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-i-was-a-separatist-fighter/25455466.html |url-status=live }}

By late February 2015, 110 members of the battalion had been killed and 172 wounded in the conflict.{{Cite web |last=Alec Luhn |date=24 February 2015 |title=Ukraine separatists celebrate Soviet holiday in Donetsk |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/ukraine-separatists-soviet-holiday-mens-day-donetsk |access-date=6 March 2015 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=22 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322112830/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/ukraine-separatists-soviet-holiday-mens-day-donetsk |url-status=live }}

In May 2014, the acting Ukrainian president Oleksandr Turchynov stated that numerous Ukrainian military and security personnel had joined the separatists, alongside stolen Ukrainian military equipment.{{Cite web |title=Ukraine's government has lost control of east, says acting president | The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/ukraine-government-lost-control-east-acting-president |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701163246/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/30/ukraine-government-lost-control-east-acting-president |archive-date=1 July 2014 |access-date=27 May 2014 |website=The Guardian|date=30 April 2014 }} In October 2014, Internal Affairs minister Arsen Avakov told journalists that about 15,000 Ukrainian policemen in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts had defected to the separatists.[http://www.unian.info/politics/996995-15000-police-defected-to-donbas-separatists.html 15,000 police ‘defected to Donbas separatists’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421232849/https://www.unian.info/politics/996995-15000-police-defected-to-donbas-separatists.html |date=21 April 2021 }}. UNIAN. 16 October 2014.

Some identified maverick neo-Cossack volunteers,"[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/world/europe/russians-yearning-to-join-ukraine-battle-find-lots-of-helping-hands.html?_r=0 Russians Find Few Barriers to Joining Ukraine Battle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621221247/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/world/europe/russians-yearning-to-join-ukraine-battle-find-lots-of-helping-hands.html?_r=0 |date=21 June 2019 }}". The New York Times. 9 June 2014. particularly Don Cossacks who live on both sides of the border,"[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27961934 Ukraine: Common history pulls in aid from west Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225184710/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27961934 |date=25 December 2018 }}". BBC News. 23 June 2014."[https://books.google.com/books?id=-h6r57lDC4QC&pg=PA135 Historical Dictionary of Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123101033/https://books.google.com/books?id=-h6r57lDC4QC&pg=PA135 |date=23 January 2023 }}". Ivan Katchanovski, Zenon E. Kohut, Bohdan Y. Nebesio, Myroslav Yurkevich (2013). p.135. {{ISBN|081087847X}} are participants in the war,{{Cite web |title=Interview with the Ataman Graschenko, Lieutenant-General of the Cossack troops for the District of the Great Don Army |url=http://nacsk.ru/2012/12/интервью-с-атаманом-донецкого-казачь/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140814044614/http://nacsk.ru/2012/12/интервью-с-атаманом-донецкого-казачь/ |archive-date=14 August 2014 |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=National Union of Cossacks}} along with some self-styled neo-Cossack groups.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2014 |title=Установлены личности "активистов" с Востока Украины, участвовавших в событиях в Крыму |work=Korrespondent |url=https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3353447-ustanovleny-lychnosty-aktyvystov-s-vostoka-ukrayny-uchastvovavshykh-v-sobytyiakh-v-krymu |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419141653/https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3353447-ustanovleny-lychnosty-aktyvystov-s-vostoka-ukrayny-uchastvovavshykh-v-sobytyiakh-v-krymu |url-status=live }} Several of these Cossacks formed a paramilitary unit called the 'Terek Wolves Sotnia', a reference to a detachment of White emigre Cossacks that fought against the Soviet Union during the Second World War.{{Cite news |last=Babiak |first=Mat |date=22 April 2014 |title=Insurgents Identified: The Green Men of VKontakte |work=Ukrainian Policy |url=http://ukrainianpolicy.com/insurgents-identified-the-green-men-of-vkontakte/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423233203/http://ukrainianpolicy.com/insurgents-identified-the-green-men-of-vkontakte/ |archive-date=23 April 2014}}{{Cite magazine |last=Shuster |first=Simon |date=24 April 2014 |title=Exclusive: Meet the Pro-Russian Separatists of Eastern Ukraine |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/74405/exclusive-pro-russian-separatists-eastern-ukraine/ |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503235343/http://time.com/74405/exclusive-pro-russian-separatists-eastern-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} Prominent fighters include Alexander "Boogeyman" Mozhaev (a Russian military veteran from Belorechensk) and the unit's commander, Evgeny Ponomarev.{{Cite magazine |last=Shuster |first=Simon |date=12 May 2014 |title=Meet the Cossack 'Wolves' Doing Russia's Dirty Work in Ukraine |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/95898/wolves-hundred-ukraine-russia-cossack/ |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208102211/http://time.com/95898/wolves-hundred-ukraine-russia-cossack/ |url-status=live }} Ponomarev was killed in August 2014.{{Cite web |title=Под Краснодоном погиб кубанский казак Пономарев, товарищ Бабая – соцсети – Новости |url=http://m.news.bigmir.net/ukraine/841175-Pod-Krasnodonom-pogib-kubanskij-kazak-Ponomarev--tovaricsh-Babaja---socseti |website=m.news.bigmir.net |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224081334/http://m.news.bigmir.net/ukraine/841175-Pod-Krasnodonom-pogib-kubanskij-kazak-Ponomarev--tovaricsh-Babaja---socseti |url-status=live }}

File:Cossacks National Guard, 7 September 2014.jpg National Guard ceremonial parade in Perevalsk, 7 September 2014]]

Although Cossack units have been prohibited from crossing the Russian border into Ukraine en masse, it has been reported that Russian elements tacitly support the individual fighters in crossing the border into Ukraine. The Cossacks claim that it is their faith in Cossack brotherhood, Russian imperialism, and the Russian Orthodox Church that has driven them to take part in the insurgency with the aim of conquering what they perceive as "historically Russian lands." Mozhaev also stated that some of the more extreme views of the Cossacks include destroying "the Jew-Masons," who they claim have been "fomenting disorder all over the world" and "causing us, the common Orthodox Christian folk, to suffer."{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Cathy |date=21 May 2014 |title=Fascism Comes to Ukraine – From Russia |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/05/21/fascism_comes_to_ukraine_--_from_russia_122700.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521232153/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/05/21/fascism_comes_to_ukraine_--_from_russia_122700.html |url-status=live }} On 25 May, the SBU arrested 13 Russian Cossacks in Novoaidar Raion.{{Cite web |title=Russian Cossacks Arrested in Luhansk: Ukrainian security forces detain Kremlin-backed insurgents |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNKE5JCzmMA |access-date=12 June 2014 |via=YouTube |archive-date=16 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616003741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNKE5JCzmMA |url-status=live }}

File:2015-05-07. Репетиция парада Победы в Донецке 197.jpg

The Foreign Affairs ministry of Ukraine said that the presence of foreign soldiers amounted to "undisguised aggression" from Russia, and "the export of Russian terrorism to our country". "There are grounds to affirm that Russian terrorists funnelled on to the territory of Ukraine are being organised and financed through the direct control of the Kremlin and Russian special forces," the ministry said.{{Cite news |last=Weaver |first=Courtney |date=27 May 2014 |title=Chechens join pro-Russians in battle foreast Ukraine |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dcf5e16e-e5bc-11e3-aeef-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=intl |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129181638/https://www.ft.com/content/dcf5e16e-e5bc-11e3-aeef-00144feabdc0?siteedition=intl |url-status=live }} To date, reports and interviews have shown the presence of Chechen, Ossetian, Tajik, Afghan, Armenian, and various Russian paramilitary forces operating in Ukraine.{{Cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |last2=Tavernise |first2=Sabrina |date=28 May 2014 |title=Russians Revealed Among Ukraine Fighters |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/ukraine.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221211237/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/world/europe/ukraine.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=13 July 2014 |title=Interview: I Was A Separatist Fighter In Ukraine |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-i-was-a-separatist-fighter/25455466.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=25 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725204940/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-i-was-a-separatist-fighter/25455466.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Kadyrovites}}

Chechen paramilitaries were spotted in Sloviansk on 5 May 2014.{{Cite news |title=Среди террористов в Славянске замечены чеченские боевики – СМИ : Новости УНИАН |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |url=http://www.unian.net/politics/914777-sredi-terroristov-v-slavyanske-zamechenyi-chechenskie-boeviki-smi.html |access-date=14 May 2014 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509123212/http://www.unian.net/politics/914777-sredi-terroristov-v-slavyanske-zamechenyi-chechenskie-boeviki-smi.html |url-status=live }} Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov threatened on 7 May that he would "send tens of thousands of Chechen volunteers to southern and eastern Ukraine if the junta in Kiev continued its punitive operations."{{Cite web |last=Catherine A. Fitzpatrick |date=9 May 2014 |title=Russia This Week: Surge of Nationalism on Victory Day (5–9 May) | The Interpreter |url=http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-poll-indicates-most-russians-dont-favor-annexation-but-many-yearn-for-soviet-re-union/#1746 |access-date=14 May 2014 |publisher=Interpretermag.com |archive-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513184028/http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-poll-indicates-most-russians-dont-favor-annexation-but-many-yearn-for-soviet-re-union/#1746 |url-status=live }} It was reported that Kadyrov engaged in an aggressive recruitment campaign in Chechnya for this operation, and that there were recruitment centres for it in Grozny, Achkhoy-Martan, Znamenskoye, and Gudermes.{{Cite news |last=Goble |first=Paul |date=8 May 2014 |title=Grozny Forcing Chechens to Fight for Russian Side in Ukraine |work=The Interpreter |url=http://www.interpretermag.com/grozny-forcing-chechens-to-fight-for-russian-side-in-ukraine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508224105/http://www.interpretermag.com/grozny-forcing-chechens-to-fight-for-russian-side-in-ukraine/ |archive-date=8 May 2014}} The Kavkazcenter, the official website of the North Caucasus Islamic insurgency, reported that Chechen authorities had opened recruiting offices for volunteers wishing to fight in Ukraine, and that those offices had suddenly closed.{{Cite web |date=9 May 2014 |title=Kadyrov Denies Chechen Military Involvement in Ukraine Fighting |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/kadyrov-denies-chechen-military-involvement-ukraine-fighting/25379264.html |access-date=14 May 2014 |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |archive-date=14 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514014409/http://www.rferl.org/content/kadyrov-denies-chechen-military-involvement-ukraine-fighting/25379264.html |url-status=live }}

Five lorries crossed the Ukraine-Russia border carrying militants aboard on 24 May, with some reports suggesting among the militants were veteran Chechen soldiers.{{Cite web |date=24 May 2014 |title=Ukraine fails to prevent illegal border crossing by a group of armed men |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-fails-to-prevent-illegal-border-crossing-by-a-group-of-armed-men-349126.html |access-date=12 June 2014 |website=Kyiv Post |archive-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612022051/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukraine-fails-to-prevent-illegal-border-crossing-by-a-group-of-armed-men-349126.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Canada |date=26 May 2014 |title=Kiev decries Russia's frosty welcome for new president |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/?articleId=18842430 |access-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527061209/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/?articleId=18842430 |archive-date=27 May 2014}} On the following day, the Vostok Battalion arrived in Donetsk in a convoy of eight lorries, each filled with 20 soldiers. Several of the soldiers looked Chechen, spoke the Chechen language, and said that they were from Chechnya.{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian army battles Kremlin-backed separatists in Donetsk; at least one civilian killed in crossfire (LIVE UPDATES) |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukrainians-vote-in-momentous-may-25-election-to-pick-nations-fifth-president-live-updates-349211.html |website=Kyiv Post |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722085835/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/ukrainians-vote-in-momentous-may-25-election-to-pick-nations-fifth-president-live-updates-349211.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=ВИДЕО. ФОТО. В Донецке Кавказцев встречали криками "Герои!" – Info Resist |url=http://inforesist.org/video-foto-v-donecke-kavkazcev-vstrechali-krikami-geroi/ |access-date=14 October 2014 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020201041/http://inforesist.org/video-foto-v-donecke-kavkazcev-vstrechali-krikami-geroi/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=25 May 2014 |title=Pro-Russian separatists from the "East" battalions speak with local residents during a rally in the eastern city of Donetsk May 25, 2014. |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-25/pro-russian-separatists-from-the-22east22-battalions-speak-wi/5476714 |access-date=6 March 2015 |website=ABC News |archive-date=18 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118134221/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-25/pro-russian-separatists-from-the-22east22-battalions-speak-wi/5476714 |url-status=live }} Two insurgents told CNN reporters that these were Chechen volunteers.{{Cite news |last1=Ed Payne |last2=Nick Paton Walsh |date=26 May 2014 |title=Ukraine billionaire Petro Poroshenko leads in early election results |publisher=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/26/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews |access-date=6 March 2015 |archive-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311191841/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/26/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews |url-status=live }}

Ramzan Kadyrov denied knowledge of the presence Chechen troops in Ukraine,{{Cite web |title=Kadyrov Denies Chechen Military Involvement in Ukraine Fighting |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/kadyrov-denies-chechen-military-involvement-ukraine-fighting/25379264.html |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414194453/http://www.rferl.org/content/kadyrov-denies-chechen-military-involvement-ukraine-fighting/25379264.html |url-status=live }} but a separatist commander later confirmed that Chechens and militants of other ethnicities fought for the Donetsk People's Republic People's Militia.{{Cite web |title="Абвер" подтвердил, что террористам на Донбассе помогают чеченцы – УКРИНФОРМ |url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/abver_podtverdil_chto_terroristam_na_donbasse_pomogayut_chechentsi_1637230 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906065059/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/abver_podtverdil_chto_terroristam_na_donbasse_pomogayut_chechentsi_1637230 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |access-date=14 October 2014}} In the aftermath of the First Battle of Donetsk Airport, local authorities said that some wounded militants were Chechens from Grozny and Gudermes. One Donetsk resident said that the presence of Chechen fighters showed "that this war is not clean. It is artificially created. If this is an uprising by the Donetsk People's Republic, what are foreigners doing here?"

Chechen militants interviewed by the Financial Times and Vice News said that they became involved in the conflict on the orders of the Chechen president.{{Cite news |last=Salem |first=Harriet |date=27 May 2014 |title=Fighting in Ukraine Escalates as Militia Groups Flock to Donetsk |work=VICE News |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/fighting-in-ukraine-escalates-as-militia-groups-flock-to-donetsk/ |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022142259/https://news.vice.com/article/fighting-in-ukraine-escalates-as-militia-groups-flock-to-donetsk |url-status=live }} President Kadyrov strongly denied these reports on 1 June.{{Cite news |date=1 June 2014 |script-title=ru:Кадыров: 74 тысячи чеченцев готовы выехать, чтобы навести порядок в Украине |language=ru |trans-title=Kadyrov: 74 thousand Chechens are ready to go to put things in order in Ukraine |work=LB.ua |url=http://lb.ua/news/2014/06/01/268521_kadirov_74_tisyachi_chechentsev_gotovi.html |access-date=6 March 2015 |archive-date=19 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419160115/http://lb.ua/news/2014/06/01/268521_kadirov_74_tisyachi_chechentsev_gotovi.html |url-status=live }} In his statement, he said that there were "74,000 Chechens who are willing to go to bring order to the territory of Ukraine", and that he would not send them to Donetsk, but to Kyiv. As of May 2015, majority of previously pro-Russian Chechen paramilitaries exited the conflict, because of the two known incidents with Zakharchenko and his people, according to Akhmed Zakayev.{{Cite news |last1=Allison Quinn |last2=Kyiv Post staff |date=8 May 2015 |title=Suspicions abound as Chechen fighters make mysterious exit from Donbas battlefield |work=Kyiv Post |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/suspicions-abound-as-chechen-fighters-make-mysterious-exit-from-donbas-battlefield-388012.html |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722150539/https://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/suspicions-abound-as-chechen-fighters-make-mysterious-exit-from-donbas-battlefield-388012.html |url-status=live }}

File:2014-12-27. День спасателя в Донецке 048.JPG, Donetsk, 27 December 2014]]

Starting on 4 May 2014, the United Ossetia Party and the Union of Paratroopers in the pro-Russian breakaway Republic of South Ossetia announced a recruitment drive meant to send veterans of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict to protect "the peaceful population of Ukraine's southeast".{{Cite news |last=Gassyeva |first=Dina |date=4 May 2014 |script-title=ru:Добровольцы из Южной Осетии намерены помочь юго-востоку Украины |language=ru |agency=RIA Novosti |url=http://ria.ru/world/20140504/1006495218.html |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506095912/http://ria.ru/world/20140504/1006495218.html |url-status=live }} Some videos issued by an Ossetian militant group indicated that they were operating in Donetsk.{{Cite web |date=9 March 2014 |script-title=ru:В Донецк прибыли боевики из Осетии? |trans-title=Did militants come to Donetsk from Ossetia? |url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/224674/ |access-date=14 May 2014 |publisher=Novosti.dn.ua |language=ru |archive-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513111706/http://novosti.dn.ua/details/224674 |url-status=live }} Donbas insurgents interviewed on 27 May admitted that there were 16 fighters from Ossetia operating around Donetsk for at least two months prior.

Head of the State Border Guard of Ukraine Mykola Lytvyn said that officials reports indicated the presence of Abkhaz militants as well.{{Cite news |date=28 May 2014 |script-title=ru:Госпогранслужба: среди террористов есть абхазцы |language=ru |trans-title=State Border Guard Service: there Abkhazians among the terrorists |publisher=LB.ua |url=http://lb.ua/news/2014/05/28/268065_gospogransluzhba_sredi_terroristov.html |access-date=30 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529090427/http://lb.ua/news/2014/05/28/268065_gospogransluzhba_sredi_terroristov.html |archive-date=29 May 2014}} Militants from North and South Ossetia were open about their presence in Donbas in June. One militant named Oleg, part of the Vostok Battalion, told reporters "In 2008 they were killing us and the Russians saved us. I came here to pay my dues to them".

In 2014, it was reported that at least 100 insurgent-affiliated Serbian volunteers are fighting in Ukraine. At that time, they had their own combat unit, named after Jovan Šević, including 45 members of the Chetnik movement,{{Cite web |date=6 August 2014 |title=At least 100 Serbs fight in Ukraine on pro-Russian side |url=http://inserbia.info/today/2014/08/at-least-100-serbs-fight-in-ukraine-on-pro-russian-side/ |access-date=30 August 2014 |publisher=inSerbia |archive-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012043830/https://inserbia.info/today/2014/08/at-least-100-serbs-fight-in-ukraine-on-pro-russian-side/ |url-status=live }} led by Bratislav Živković. According to media reports, by late 2017, this number fell to a few dozen.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2017 |title=Serbia opens 45 cases against Serbian mercenaries fighting abroad, incl. in Donbas |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |url=https://www.unian.info/m/war/2238971-serbia-opens-45-cases-against-serbian-mercenaries-fighting-abroad-incl-in-donbas.html}} Serbian volunteer Dejan Berić has appeared in Russian media, which described him as a highly decorated soldier and hero; he has also figured as a member of the press at a press conference of Maria Zakharova in Moscow.{{Cite web|title='Novinarstvo' srpskog dobrovoljca iz Ukrajine|url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/dobrovoljac-srbija-ukrajina-rat-dejan-beric/29802934.html|access-date=2021-04-11|website=Radio Slobodna Evropa|language=sh|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126104800/https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/dobrovoljac-srbija-ukrajina-rat-dejan-beric/29802934.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Sniper Deki who turned into a journalist|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2740372-sniper-deki-who-turned-into-a-journaliie.html|access-date=2021-04-11|website=www.ukrinform.net|language=en|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126104803/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2740372-sniper-deki-who-turned-into-a-journaliie.html|url-status=live}}

From late 2014 until late 2017 Serbia has opened 45 cases against Serbian mercenaries who had been fighting in the war in Donbas and in other military conflicts abroad. In August 2019, Serbian citizen Goran Chirich was placed under arrest by Russian Federation for "illegal crossing of border" from Donbas based on Interpol arrest warrant issued by Serbia, requesting his extradition. In May 2020 his appeal against extradition was denied by a court in Rostov-on-Don based on the fact that Chirich does not have Russian citizenship and so called "DPR passports" are not recognised even in Russia.{{Cite web |date=17 May 2020 |title=Московиты выдали нашего клиента Сербии. Несите следующего |url=https://myrotvorets.news/moskovyty-vydaly-nasheho-klyenta-serb/ |access-date=17 May 2020 |website=Myrotvorets News |language=uk |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021164136/https://myrotvorets.news/moskovyty-vydaly-nasheho-klyenta-serb/ |url-status=live }}

There are reports that volunteers from other countries, including France, Germany, the United States, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Turkey have fought on the insurgent side.{{Cite news |title=Ukraine war pulls in foreign fighters |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28951324 |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901145753/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28951324 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Ukraine crisis: Rebel fighters 'trained in Russia' |work=BBC News |date=16 August 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28817347 |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223034049/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28817347 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=Nasi w Donbasie. Międzynarodówka bije się na ukraińskiej wojnie |url=http://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/swiat/artykuly/471083,nasi-w-donbasie-miedzynarodowka-bije-sie-na-ukrainskiej-wojnie.html |access-date=14 October 2014 |website=wiadomosci.dziennik.pl |archive-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007012907/http://wiadomosci.dziennik.pl/swiat/artykuly/471083,nasi-w-donbasie-miedzynarodowka-bije-sie-na-ukrainskiej-wojnie.html |url-status=live }} Around 20 Hungarians have formed their own unit named Legion of Saint Stephen. In February 2015, Spanish police arrested eight Spaniards suspected of fighting alongside pro-Russian militants.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2015 |title=Ukraine conflict: Spanish suspects held for 'joining rebels' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31656455 |access-date=6 March 2015 |website=BBC News |archive-date=1 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301180310/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31656455 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Raphael Minder |date=27 February 2015 |title=Spain Arrests 8 on Suspicion of Fighting for Rebels in Ukraine |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/world/europe/spain-arrests-8-on-suspicion-they-fought-in-ukraine.html |access-date=6 March 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304204623/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/28/world/europe/spain-arrests-8-on-suspicion-they-fought-in-ukraine.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Rodríguez |first=Jorge A. |date=27 February 2015 |title=Eight Spaniards arrested after returning from combat in Ukraine |work=El País |url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/02/27/inenglish/1425033238_750840.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104204724/https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/02/27/inenglish/1425033238_750840.html |url-status=live }} Commenting on other foreign fighters, the suspects said that "They were paid neither travel expenses nor a salary, but they were received with open arms [...] We all want the same: social justice and the liberation of Russia from the Ukrainian invasion."{{Cite news |last=Ortega Dolz |first=Patricia |date=27 February 2015 |title=We fought together, communists and Nazis alike, for the liberation of Russia |work=El País |url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/02/27/inenglish/1425051026_915897.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317143852/http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/02/27/inenglish/1425051026_915897.html |url-status=live }} The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported that more than 100 German citizens were fighting alongside pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine. Most of them were ethnic Germans from the former Soviet republics, and some had served in the Bundeswehr. According to the paper, a 33-year-old German citizen originally from Kazakhstan was killed in action by shrapnel during the battle of Debaltsevo, on 12 February 2015.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2015 |title=В Донбассе воюют более сотни граждан Германии – СМИ |url=http://news.liga.net/news/politics/5309035-v_donbasse_voyuyut_bolee_sotni_grazhdan_germanii_smi.htm |publisher=Liga News |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128123711/https://news.liga.net/favorites?itemId=3944826&lang=ru&renderType=1 |url-status=live }} Kazakhstan has given prison sentences of three to five years to its citizens who have fought for pro-Russian militias in Ukraine.{{Cite news |date=27 April 2015 |title=Kazakh Citizen Sentenced For Joining Russia-Backed Separatists in Ukraine |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/kazakhstan-fighting-ukraine-jailed/26744965.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309172849/http://www.rferl.org/content/kazakhstan-fighting-ukraine-jailed/26744965.html |url-status=live }} In February 2016, Moldova stated that pro-Russian forces in Ukraine had recruited dozens of its citizens with the offer of money, with one individual saying he had been promised $3,000 a month.{{Cite news |last=Tomiuc |first=Eugen |date=12 February 2016 |title=Moldova Indicts, Sentences Individuals Who Fought As Mercenaries in Ukraine |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-mercenaries-fighting-in-ukraine-sentenced/27549194.html |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620021844/http://www.rferl.org/content/moldova-mercenaries-fighting-in-ukraine-sentenced/27549194.html |url-status=live }} Two Moldovan mercenaries received three-year prison sentences and eight others were under investigation.

{{main|Russo-Ukrainian War}}

While Russia denied its troops were operating in Ukraine between 2014 and 2022, OSCE observers have witnessed Russian troops operating in Ukraine identifying themselves as Russian servicemen.{{Cite web |date=3 August 2015 |title=Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 2 August 2015 |url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/175736 |access-date=15 September 2015 |publisher=OSCE |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223215516/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/175736 |url-status=live }} A paper released by the Royal United Services Institute estimated that 9,000–12,000 Russian troops had been deployed to parts of eastern Ukraine in early 2015, with 42,000 troops having been involved in the combined service rotation.{{Cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Russian military shelled Ukraine from mid-July, report says |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/russia-struggling-ukraine-military-operations-report |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719092426/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/11/russia-struggling-ukraine-military-operations-report |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Igor Sutyagin |date=March 2015 |title=Briefing Paper: Russian Forces in Ukraine |url=https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201503_BP_Russian_Forces_in_Ukraine_FINAL.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508220714/https://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/201503_BP_Russian_Forces_in_Ukraine_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 March 2015 |publisher=Royal United Services Institute}} On 17 December 2015 President Vladimir Putin stated in a response to a question about the detained Russian GRU agents held in Ukraine that Russia had "people (in Ukraine) who work on resolving various issues there, including in the military sphere." However, he went on to state "that doesn't mean there are regular Russian troops there." This was generally taken as an admission by Russia that its special forces were involved in the conflict.{{Cite web |title=Putin denies Russian troops are in Ukraine |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-denies-regular-russian-troops-ukraine-170221107.html?ref=gs |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419141653/https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-denies-regular-russian-troops-ukraine-170221107.html?ref=gs |url-status=live }} According to Russian former prime minister of the DNR Alexander Borodai, 50,000 Russian citizens had fought for separatist forces by mid 2015.{{Cite web |last=Slv |first=Igor |date=30 July 2016 |title=50,000 Russian citizens fought in Donbas war: separatist ex-leader |url=http://euromaidanpress.com/2016/07/30/96047/ |access-date=16 October 2016 |publisher=Euromaidan Press |archive-date=9 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009154448/http://euromaidanpress.com/2016/07/30/96047/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=27 August 2015|title=Former Ukraine rebel head starts support group for Russian fighters|url=http://news.yahoo.com/former-ukraine-rebel-head-starts-support-group-russian-170701239.html|access-date=16 April 2021|website=Yahoo News (AFP)|language=en-US|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417220927/https://news.yahoo.com/former-ukraine-rebel-head-starts-support-group-russian-170701239.html|url-status=live}}

As of February 2018, the number of separatist forces were estimated at 31,000 out of which 80% (25,000) were Donbas residents, 15% (≈5,000) were military contractors from Russia and other countries and 3% (900–1,000) were regular Russian armed forces personnel. This proportion has significantly changed from earlier years, with "Russian command gradually filling up the military of the 'republics' with locals"; the primary driver being that salaries are no longer attractive for contractors from Russia, but highly attractive as stable source of income in economically impaired separatist territories. Regular soldiers in Donbas are offered anything from 15,000 and officers 25,000 RUB, while in the Russian army these respective earnings are 20,000 and 68,000 RUB. Russian forces still occupy most command positions as well as operate advanced weapons, such as electronic warfare units.{{Cite web |title=The Ukrainian Week |url=http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/209802 |access-date=3 March 2018 |website=ukrainianweek.com |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324185008/http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/209802 |url-status=live }} In separate interviews given to Maksim Kalashikov in 2020, Igor Girkin and Pavel Gubarev openly admitted that the LDPR armed forces are only playing a role of "cover" for the regular armed forces of the Russian Federation, who are keeping the territories under Russian control.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

OSCE monitors periodically record convoys of military trucks crossing through unmarked locations along the Russian-controlled border, usually overnight. OSCE statements and spot reports are criticised in Ukraine as they vaguely reports military "convoys leaving and entering Ukraine on dirt roads in the middle of the night, in areas where there is no official crossing" without explicitly mentioning Russian armed forces.{{Cite news |title=OSCE drone downed after it spotted Russian military movement by night in Ukraine - Human Rights in Ukraine |language=en-US |work=Human Rights in Ukraine |url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1540757123 |access-date=29 October 2018 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029004012/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1540757123 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=New convoy of Russian military trucks caught entering Ukraine by night |url=http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1559781496 |access-date=10 June 2019 |website=Human Rights in Ukraine |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608190456/http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1559781496 |url-status=live }} OSCE monitoring frequently faces access restrictions and signal jamming of the monitoring UAVs. In 2021 OSCE reported that 62.5% long-range UAV flights "encountered GPS signal interference" with jamming so strong, it occasionally prevented UAV from even taking off.{{Cite web|title=Spot Report 6/2021: SMM long-range UAV unable to take off due to dual GPS signal interference|url=https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/483008|access-date=15 April 2021|website=osce.org|language=en|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415165127/https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/483008|url-status=live}} OSCE has on numerous occasions reported presence of Russian electronic warfare equipment in the separatist-controlled areas{{Cite web|title=Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 16 August 2015|url=https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/177826|access-date=16 April 2021|website=www.osce.org|language=en|archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609145358/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/177826|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 15 June 2016|url=https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/247216|access-date=16 April 2021|website=www.osce.org|language=en|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416061600/https://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/247216|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/448393?download=true|title=Daily Report 60/2020|access-date=16 April 2021|website=www.osce.org|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416061558/https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/448393?download=true|url-status=live}} including specifically anti-UAV Repellent-1 systems.{{Cite web|title=Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 10 August 2018|url=https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/390236|access-date=16 April 2021|website=www.osce.org|language=en|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215170539/https://www.osce.org/special-monitoring-mission-to-ukraine/390236|url-status=live}}

After the full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022 a number of prominent LDPR activists started openly talking about involvement of Russian regular armed forces and GRU units described as "private military companies" since 2014.{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Allison |date=2016-03-30 |title=Vladimir Putin sent Russian mercenaries to 'fight in Syria and Ukraine' |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/30/vladimir-putin-sent-russian-mercenaries-to-fight-in-syria-and-uk/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |issn=0307-1235}} In 2023 interview Aleksander Khodakovsky described how in 2014 the Russian forces saved the separatist units from losing to Ukrainian army, noting that "it was not politically correct to discuss that involvement at that time" and helped expand their zone of control to Novoazovsk, Starobilsk, Telmanove and other regions.{{Citation |title="Россия тогда ввела войска и спасла нас!" Ходаковский признал, что РФ в 2014 вторглась в Украину |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUciRgZ-6D0 |access-date=2023-10-12 |language=en}}

Russia declaratively utilized private military companies (PMC) in the conflict, but as no such legal entity even exists in Russia law, these were usually controlled by FSB and GRU. Among the Russian PMCs operating in Eastern Ukraine, main actors were Wagner Group, MAR and E.N.O.T. Corp. Other include: RSB-Group, ATK-GROUP, Slavonic Corps Limited, Cossacks.{{Cite web|title="Armed Conflict in Ukraine: Military Support for DPR and LPR Illegal Armed Groups by the Russian Federation"|url=https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/issues/Mercenaries/WG/OtherStakeholders/ukrainian-hhru-submission-2.pdf|access-date=27 September 2021|website=www.ohchr.org|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730211927/https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/issues/Mercenaries/WG/OtherStakeholders/ukrainian-hhru-submission-2.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title="Unleashing the PMCs and Irregulars in Ukraine: Crimea and Donbas"|url=https://jamestown.org/program/unleashing-the-pmcs-and-irregulars-in-ukraine-crimea-and-donbas/#_edn30|access-date=27 September 2021|website=jamestown.org|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926212057/https://jamestown.org/program/unleashing-the-pmcs-and-irregulars-in-ukraine-crimea-and-donbas/#_edn30|url-status=live}}

File:Боєць полку поліції "Київ" в Авдіївці.jpg]]

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the primary military force of Ukraine, and have taken a leading role in countering DPR and LPR forces. In 2014, the Armed Forces was said to be "in a disastrously impoverished state",{{Cite news |date=24 August 2014 |title=Abandoned Donbas Battalion fights on |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/abandoned-donbas-battalion-fights-on-361886.html |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825135333/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/abandoned-donbas-battalion-fights-on-361886.html |url-status=live }} and "had almost no training in confronting an internal land battle". It has been widely criticised for its poor equipment and inept leadership, forcing Internal Affairs Ministry forces like the National Guard and the territorial defence battalions to take on the brunt of the fighting in the first months of the war.{{Cite magazine |date=9 May 2014 |title=Why is Ukraine's Army So Appallingly Bad? |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117710/ukraines-army-small-sovietized-underfunded-and-poorly-trained |access-date=20 September 2014 |archive-date=4 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704053656/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117710/ukraines-army-small-sovietized-underfunded-and-poorly-trained |url-status=live }}

Following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine inherited all Soviet military equipment and formations that had been stationed on its territory. Over the years preceding the start of hostilities in Donbas, the Armed Forces were systematically downsized, and became largely dilapidated. Soviet weaponry was not replaced or upgraded, leaving the Armed Forces with outdated and poorly maintained equipment. As an example, the Soviet military units never utilised ballistic vests, and hence, when the war in Donbas started, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had none. Whilst there is a vibrant defence industry in Ukraine, the equipment it produces is for export, and had not been used to equip the Armed Forces prior to the war. Amidst the annexation of Crimea by Russia on 11 March 2014, then Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said that "de facto only 6,000 [soldiers] are in combat readiness". According to a report by The Ukrainian Week, 90–95% of the Armed Forces' equipment in July 2014 was outdated or in poor repair. In addition, professional soldiers were in short supply, forcing conscripts and volunteers to fill battalions.[http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/115444 In the Army Now: Answering Many Why's] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108083802/http://ukrainianweek.com/Politics/115444 |date=8 January 2015 }}, The Ukrainian Week (8 July 2014)

To counter equipment shortages, a powerful civil volunteer movement appeared. Teams of volunteers established crowdfunding centres that provide the soldiers with diverse support: from food and medicines to equipment like bulletproof vests, spaced armour, thermographic cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles.{{Cite news |last=Рингис А. |date=31 July 2015 |script-title=ru:Бэк-офис армии. Как работают альтернативные службы тыла |language=ru |trans-title=Army Back Office. How do alternative service of the rear work |work=Ukrayinska Pravda |url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/cdn/cd1/2015year/back_office |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419161140/http://www.pravda.com.ua/cdn/cd1/2015year/back_office/ |archive-date=19 April 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=22 November 2014 |title=With Borscht and Rifle Scopes, Volunteers Power Ukraine Forces |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/world/with-borscht-and-rifle-scopes-volunteers-power-ukraine-forces.html |access-date=24 November 2014 |archive-date=24 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124010613/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/world/with-borscht-and-rifle-scopes-volunteers-power-ukraine-forces.html |url-status=live }} Other volunteers help the injured soldiers or search captives and the killed ones. Such volunteer centres work in all large cities and many small settlements of Ukraine, except those which aren't controlled by government.{{Cite journal |last=Тохтарова І. М. |year=2014 |script-title=uk:Волонтерський рух в Україні: шлях до розвитку громадянського суспільства як сфери соціальних відносин |trans-title=Volunteer movement in Ukraine: way to development of civil society as a sphere of social relations |url=http://el-zbirn-du.at.ua/2014_2/5.pdf |url-status=unfit |journal=Теорія та практика державного управління і місцевого самоврядування |language=uk |issue=2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519222515/http://el-zbirn-du.at.ua/2014_2/5.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2016}}

In 2016, Ukraine was struggling to recruit conscript servicemen, due to significant evasion of conscription, to replace demobilising soldiers including volunteers. This followed negative publicity about nutrition and equipment deficiencies in the conflict zone.{{Cite news |last=Natalia Zinets |date=4 February 2016 |title=Ukraine struggles to recruit soldiers for war in east |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-military-idUKKCN0VD21Q |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=14 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214024908/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ukraine-crisis-military-idUKKCN0VD21Q |url-status=dead }} By mid-April 2016, 127,363 soldiers and volunteers had received veteran status.{{Cite news |title=Number of Ukrainian soldiers participating in Anti-Terrorist Operation revealed |publisher=Ukraine Today |url=http://uatoday.tv/society/number-of-ukrainian-soldiers-participating-in-anti-terrorist-operation-revealed-630722.html |access-date=14 April 2016 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415231833/http://uatoday.tv/society/number-of-ukrainian-soldiers-participating-in-anti-terrorist-operation-revealed-630722.html |url-status=live }}

By February 2018, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were larger and better equipped than ever before, numbering 200,000 active-service military personnel and most of the volunteer soldiers of the territorial defence battalions have been integrated into the official Ukrainian army.[https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2018/02/ukraines-toughest-fight-the-challenge-of-military-reform?lang=en Ukraine's Toughest Fight: The Challenge of Military Reform], Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (22 February 2018)

The National Guard of Ukraine was re-established on 13 March 2014, amidst rising tensions in Ukraine during the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.{{Cite news |date=13 March 2014 |title=Rada of Ukraine created the National Guard (English translation of title) |publisher=rbc.ua |url=http://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/rada-sozdala-natsionalnuyu-gvardiyu-ukrainy-13032014114500 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226165618/https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/rada-sozdala-natsionalnuyu-gvardiyu-ukrainy-13032014114500 |url-status=live }} (Article is in Ukrainian) It is a part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was re-established to replace the Internal Troops of Ukraine, and is based on that force.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is commonly known as the militsiya, and is the primary police force in Ukraine. It is led by the Internal Affairs Minister, Arsen Avakov, a key figure in leading the counter-insurgency operations in the Donbas.

File:Battalion "Donbas" in Donetsk region 04.jpg in Donetsk region, 9 August 2014]]

The government military operation to counter DPR and LPR forces in the Donbas is called the "Anti-Terrorist Operation" (ATO). It is led by the Anti-Terrorist Centre, a division of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).{{Cite news |date=13 April 2014 |title=Ukraine launches 'anti-terrorist' operation, one killed |work=Haarets |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.585355 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413104645/http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.585355 |archive-date=13 April 2014}}{{Cite news |last1=Nick Paton Walsh |last2=Tim Lister |last3=Steve Almasy |date=14 April 2014 |title=U.N. Security Council meets as Ukraine 'teeters on the brink' |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/13/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/ |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=9 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809201735/http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/13/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/ |url-status=live }} The SBU is the main intelligence service of Ukraine.

At least 50 pro-Ukrainian volunteer units have been formed and fought against the Donbas People's Militia and other insurgent groups.{{Cite news |date=15 December 2014 |title=Ukraine underplays role of far right in conflict |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30414955 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602182154/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30414955 |url-status=live }} These forces include the Donbas Battalion, Azov Battalion, Kharkiv Battalion, and Oleh Lyashko's militia.{{Cite news |last= |date=23 May 2014 |title=Militia backed by presidential candidate Lyashko takes credit for assassination of Russian-backed separatist |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/militia-backed-by-presidential-candidate-lyashko-takes-credit-for-murder-of-russian-backed-separatists-349093.html |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524024612/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/militia-backed-by-presidential-candidate-lyashko-takes-credit-for-murder-of-russian-backed-separatists-349093.html |url-status=live }} Some of these units work under contract with the National Guard of Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2015 |script-title=uk:Роз'яснення щодо статусу спецпідрозділу "Азов" |trans-title=Clarification regarding the status of "Azov" Special Forces |url=http://ngu.gov.ua/ua/news/rozyasnennya-shchodo-statusu-specpidrozdilu-azov |access-date=8 August 2015 |publisher=ngu.gov.ua |language=uk |archive-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709162323/http://ngu.gov.ua/ua/news/rozyasnennya-shchodo-statusu-specpidrozdilu-azov |url-status=live }}

File:Oleh Odnoroshenko with «Azov» volunteers.jpg volunteers in Kyiv, June 2014]]

These units took active participation in the military campaign. For example, the town of Shchastia in Luhansk Oblast was taken by the Aidar Battalion on 9 July,{{Cite news |date=20 July 2014 |title='Happiness' stuck under crossfire in eastern Ukraine |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/happiness-stuck-under-crossfire-in-eastern-ukraine-356994.html |access-date=20 July 2014 |archive-date=20 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720221108/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/happiness-stuck-under-crossfire-in-eastern-ukraine-356994.html |url-status=live }} and Azov Battalion, together with other units, recaptured Mariupol from pro-Russian separatists forces in June 2014.{{Cite news |last=Bojan Pancevski |date=11 May 2014 |title=Kiev lets loose Men in Black |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Ukraine/article1409316.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513175850/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Ukraine/article1409316.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2014 |access-date=22 July 2014}}

Some of the volunteer battalions belong to Right Sector.{{Cite news |date=11 August 2014 |title=Donbas battalion loses 4 in Ilovaisk assault |agency=Ukrinform |location=Kyiv |url=http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1694708-donbas_battalion_loses_4_in_ilovaisk_assault_325120.html |quote=The anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces ... began to storm pro-Russian militants entrenched in Ilovaisk.... The assault began with the participation of the volunteer battalions Donbas, Azov, Shakhtarsk, and the Right Sector, ... in conjunction with the ATO forces. |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321075503/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-politics/1694708-donbas_battalion_loses_4_in_ilovaisk_assault_325120.html |url-status=live }} It lost 12 fighters when it was ambushed outside Donetsk in August 2014. Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh vowed his group would avenge the deaths.{{Cite news |last=Natalia Zinets |date=13 August 2014 |title=Twelve Ukrainian nationalist fighters killed in separatist ambush |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-sector-iduskbn0gd0kf20140813 |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208151432/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-sector-iduskbn0gd0kf20140813 |url-status=live }}

File:Azov in Mariupol 9.jpg

Foreign fighters mainly from Belarus, Georgia and Russia (about 100 men from each country) have joined the volunteer battalions,

{{Cite news |last=Olena Goncharova |date=18 October 2015 |title=Foreign fighters struggle for legal status in Ukraine |work=Kyiv Post |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/foreign-fighters-struggle-for-legal-status-in-ukraine-400182.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018173857/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/foreign-fighters-struggle-for-legal-status-in-ukraine-400182.html |archive-date=18 October 2015}}{{Cite news |date=19 October 2015 |title=Foreign nationals fighting for Ukraine in Donbas demand passports in exchange for their service |agency=Ukraine Today |url=http://uatoday.tv/society/foreign-nationals-fighting-for-ukraine-in-donbas-demand-passports-in-exchange-for-their-service-516210.html |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306070150/http://uatoday.tv/society/foreign-nationals-fighting-for-ukraine-in-donbas-demand-passports-in-exchange-for-their-service-516210.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |first=Nolan |last=Peterson |date=4 August 2015 |title=Why a Russian Is Fighting for Ukraine |url=http://www.newsweek.com/why-russian-fighting-ukraine-320723 |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220193250/https://www.newsweek.com/why-russian-fighting-ukraine-320723 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=19 October 2015 |title=They Came to Fight for Ukraine. Now They're Stuck in No Man's Land |work=Foreign Policy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/19/ukraines-abandoned-soldiers-russian-belarusian-volunteers/ |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220195931/https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/19/ukraines-abandoned-soldiers-russian-belarusian-volunteers/ |url-status=live }}
{{Cite news |last=Megrelidze |first=Sophiko |date=23 January 2015 |title=Georgians in Ukraine fight shadow war |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/27f1501df4204a3b83e41a38b54bceff |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220173233/https://apnews.com/27f1501df4204a3b83e41a38b54bceff |url-status=live }} as well as volunteers from the United States, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Georgia, Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Italy and Canada. The Foreign Ministry of Russia asked the governments of Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states, and France to conduct a thorough investigation into reports of mercenaries from their countries serving Ukrainian forces, following a story in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.{{Cite web |title=Russia demands condemnation of mercenaries' activity in eastern Ukraine |url=http://tass.ru/en/russia/741685 |access-date=14 October 2014 |agency=TASS |archive-date=4 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204211051/http://tass.ru/en/russia/741685 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Russia demands investigation into claims Finns joined fighting in Ukraine |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/russia_demands_investigation_into_claims_finns_joined_fighting_in_ukraine/7368805 |access-date=14 October 2014 |website=Yle Uutiset |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023073246/http://yle.fi/uutiset/russia_demands_investigation_into_claims_finns_joined_fighting_in_ukraine/7368805 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=21 July 2014 |script-title=ru:Комментарий МИД России по поводу участия иностранных наемников в войне на Востоке Украины |trans-title=Russian MFA commentary on the participation of foreign mercenaries in the war in the east of Ukraine |url=http://archive.mid.ru//brp_4.nsf/newsline/1EA4011311E26FB344257D1C0054F782 |access-date=7 November 2014 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russian Federation) |language=ru |archive-date=14 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714085921/http://archive.mid.ru//brp_4.nsf/newsline/1EA4011311E26FB344257D1C0054F782 |url-status=live }}

Chechen opponents of the Russian government,{{Cite news |date=24 July 2015 |title=We like partisan warfare.' Chechens fighting in Ukraine – on both sides |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/chechens-fighting-in-ukraine-on-both-sides |access-date=29 September 2016 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227003650/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/chechens-fighting-in-ukraine-on-both-sides |url-status=live }} including Chechen military commander Isa Munayev, were fighting pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine for the Ukrainian government.{{Cite news |date=16 December 2014 |title=Chechens join Ukraine fight against Russian-backed separatists |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/chechens-join-ukraine-fight-against-russian-backed-separatists-1.2038767 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313041351/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/chechens-join-ukraine-fight-against-russian-backed-separatists-1.2038767 |url-status=live }}

At least three volunteer battalions composed mostly of people from the Caucasus and Central Asia are fighting against pro-Russian separatists."[http://www.ibtimes.com/foreign-islamic-battalions-fight-defend-ukraine-against-rebels-1998391 Foreign Islamic Battalions Fight To Defend Ukraine Against Rebels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421232847/https://www.ibtimes.com/foreign-islamic-battalions-fight-defend-ukraine-against-rebels-1998391 |date=21 April 2021 }}". International Business Times. 7 July 2015. They include Muslims from states that were part of the Soviet Union, including Uzbeks, Balkars and Crimean Tatars."[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/world/europe/islamic-battalions-stocked-with-chechens-aid-ukraine-in-war-with-rebels.html?_r=0 Islamic Battalions, Stocked With Chechens, Aid Ukraine in War With Rebels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419141651/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/world/europe/islamic-battalions-stocked-with-chechens-aid-ukraine-in-war-with-rebels.html?_r=0 |date=19 April 2021 }}". The New York Times. 7 July 2015."[http://www.ibtimes.com/defeat-russia-ukraine-creates-muslim-military-unit-made-crimean-tatars-2036618 To Defeat Russia, Ukraine Creates Muslim Military Unit Made Up Of Crimean Tatars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416204700/https://www.ibtimes.com/defeat-russia-ukraine-creates-muslim-military-unit-made-crimean-tatars-2036618 |date=16 April 2021 }}". International Business Times. 3 August 2015.

File:Пам’ятна дошка білорусам, які загинули за Україну.jpg]]

Belarusian volunteers fighting on the side of Ukraine created the Tactical group "Belarus", as well as the "Pahonia" detachment, named after the old Belarusian coat of arms.{{Cite web |url=http://www.polradio.pl/5/198/Artykul/294675 |title=Ян Мелнікау: Без вільної України не буде вільної Білорусі |access-date=2021-08-30 |archive-date=2018-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118014501/http://www.polradio.pl/5/198/Artykul/294675 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://espreso.tv/news/2014/07/08/uchast_v_ato_vizme_dobrovolchiy_zahin_bilorusiv_pahonya |title=Участь в АТО візьме добровольчий загін білорусів "Пагоня" |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101501/https://espreso.tv/news/2014/07/08/uchast_v_ato_vizme_dobrovolchiy_zahin_bilorusiv_pahonya |url-status=live }} On March 28, 2016, a Monument to the Belarusians who died for Ukraine was unveiled in Kyiv. It lists the names of Mykhailo Zhyznevsky, who died during the Euromaidan events, as well as Ales Cherkashin and Vitaly Tilizhenko, the dead volunteers of the Tactical group "Belarus".{{Cite web |url=http://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/u-kijevi-vidkrili-pam-jatnik-bilorusam-zagiblim-na-majdani-i-v-ato-106135.html |title=У Києві відкрили пам'ятник білорусам, загиблим на Майдані та в АТО |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331002935/http://nv.ua/ukr/ukraine/events/u-kijevi-vidkrili-pam-jatnik-bilorusam-zagiblim-na-majdani-i-v-ato-106135.html |url-status=live }} During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian volunteers founded the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/01/ukraine-belarus-fighters-russia/| title=A Belarusian battalion fights in Ukraine 'for both countries' freedom'| author=Max Bearak| date=1 April 2022| newspaper=Washington Post| access-date=2 April 2022| archive-date=1 April 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401061442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/01/ukraine-belarus-fighters-russia/| url-status=live}}

There are ongoing attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to integrate volunteer battalions into the regular army and indeed many of the volunteers fighting in those groups were drafted into the army. The status of the remaining volunteer units remain legally ambiguous.[https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-invisible-volunteer-fighters Ukraine's “Invisible” Volunteer Fighters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204171441/https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-invisible-volunteer-fighters |date=4 February 2021 }}, Hromadske.TV (18 November 2018)
[https://m.dw.com/en/german-military-criticized-over-ukrainian-medical-evacuation-flights/a-45024312 German military criticized over Ukrainian medical evacuation flights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230080956/https://m.dw.com/en/german-military-criticized-over-ukrainian-medical-evacuation-flights/a-45024312 |date=30 December 2018 }}, Deutsche Welle

(09.08.2018)

• Outline of the Russo-Ukrainian War
• Lists of active separatist movements
• List of active separatist movements recognized by intergovernmental organizations
• List of historical separatist movements
• Ukrainian volunteer battalions

{{Reflist}}

{{war in Donbas}}

Category:War in Donbas