Sparta Battalion
| Sparta Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Батальон «Спарта» | |
 Service sleeve insignia of the Sparta Battalion  Flag of the Sparta Battalion | |
| Active | Summer 2014 – present |
| Allegiance |  Donetsk People's Republic |
| Branch | Army |
| Role | Special Forces |
| Size | about 1,000 troops |
| Part of |  United Armed Forces of Novorossiya |
| Garrison/HQ | Donetsk |
| Nickname(s) | Motorola's Division |
| Engagements | War in Donbass |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Vladimir Zhoga Arseny Pavlov † |
The Sparta Battalion (Russian: батальон «Спарта») is a militia of the Donetsk People's Republic which was led by the Russian born Arsen Pavlov ("Motorola"). The battalion took part in the Battle of Ilovaisk and Second Battle of Donetsk Airport.[1][2]
After Pavlov's assassination, the commander became Vladimir Zhoga (callsign "Voha"), a DPR fighter from Sloviansk.[3]
Though never officially confirmed, the name and symbol of the battalion, seem to have been taken as reference of the fictional "Spartan Order" of the Metro universe sci-fiction series by Dmitry Glukhovsky.
Gallery
-
Sparta Battalion in Ilovaisk talking to civilians near a cellar (August 2014) -
Sparta Battalion troops near the Donetsk Airport (October 2014) -
Company commander of the Sparta Battalion, "Matros", in Donetsk Airport. He led the final DPR assault on the New Terminal. -
Sparta Battalion fighter near the Donetsk Airport's Old Terminal (November 2014) -
Arsen Pavlov with his troops on BTR-70s during the rehearsal of the 2015 Donetsk Victory Day parade -
Arsen Pavlov and Sparta Battalion troops on a BTR-80 during the 2016 Donetsk Victory Day parade
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References
- ^ "The Battle of Ilovaisk: Details of a Massacre Inside Rebel-Held Eastern Ukraine". Newsweek. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Ukraine Live Day 335: The Battle for Donetsk". The Interpreter. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Separatist known as Vokha will become new commander of the Sparta Battalion". UA Wire. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
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