Somalia Battalion
| Somalia Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Батальон «Сомали» | |
 Sleeve insignia File:Somalia Battalion flag.png Flag | |
| Allegiance |  Donetsk People's Republic |
| Type | Separatist group |
| Colors | Black, blue, red, and white |
| Engagements | War in Donbass |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Mikhail 'Givi' Tolstykh † |
Somalia Battalion (Russian: Батальон «Сомали») is one of the military units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine which participates in the ongoing War in Donbass against Ukrainian army. The battalion's full name is 1st Separate Tank Battalion Somalia (previously 1st Separate Tactical Battalion Group Somalia).[1] The battalion took the name "Somalia" because, according to its former commander Mikhail Tolstykh alias Givi, its members are as fearless as Somalis.[2] According to Givi, 70% of the battalions personnel previously fought in the 1st Slavyansk Brigade.[3]
The unit is permanently stationed in Donetsk and Makiivka.[1]
Equipment
The battalion has T-64 and T-72 tanks, BMP-1, BTR-70, MT-LB and BRDM-2 armoured fighting vehicles as well as supporting artillery, mortars and transport vehicles.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "1-й Отдельный танковый батальон «Сомали», в/ч 08809" (in Russian). Stopterror.in.ua. Retrieved 8 Feb 2017.
- ^ "The Battle of Ilovaisk: Details of a Massacre Inside Rebel-Held Eastern Ukraine". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 Feb 2017.
- ^ "Another day with Givi 14/10/14". YouTube. Retrieved 16 Oct 2014.
