Sparta Battalion


The Sparta Battalion is a rebel militant group of the Donetsk People's Republic formerly led by the Russian born Arsen Pavlov militant until his assassination in October, 2016. The new leader of the company became Vladimir Zhoga, a DPR fighter from Sloviansk. The battalion took part in the Battle of Ilovaisk and Second Battle of Donetsk Airport and several others.
Though never officially confirmed, the name and symbol of the battalion seem to have been taken as reference to fictional "Spartan Order" of the Metro universe science fiction series by Dmitry Glukhovsky.

History

According to Ukrainian sources the unit was formed in August, 2014 in Donetsk based on the previously existing anti-tank/MG troop led by Pavlov which earlier allegedly participated in Battle of Ilovaisk along with Strelkov's "volunteer" forces.

Battles timeline

In 2014 the battalion took part in the Battle of Illovaisk.
In 2015 they fought in the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport.
In January 2015 they participated in the Battle of Debaltseve.
In March 2016 they were in the armed skirmish in Dokuchaievsk.
In September 2016 the group was deployed into Slavyansk People's Republic in order to prevent anticipated coup d'état.

War crimes

The unit was often blamed for committing war crimes during Ukrainian crisis.

Branovitsky case

In April 2015 Russian deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia Amnesty International Denis Krivosheev blamed group's leader Arsen Pavlov in killing and torturing Ukrainian's POWs. According to him Pavlov personally admitted in the interview to the Kyiv Post that he killed Ukrainian who was prisoner of war at the time of his detention and who suffered several facial wounds and wasn't able to walk. In an controversial tape which was published on YouTube in April 2015 which features voices of both of Kyiv Post's journalist and voice allegedly belonging to Motorolla it may be heard that the latter claiming to have killed 15 prisoners when the journalist asked him about Branovitsky. Amnesty called for thorough investigation of the crime. Earlier, in February 2015 Ukrainian SSU started investigation into allegations. In June it was reported by Ukraine official that Interpol refused to put suspected Motorolla on the wanted list on the grounds of "political nature of the Motorola case".

Membership

Members' names were posted on Facebook at 5 April, 2015 by Vyacheslav Abroskin, head of Donetsk Oblast's police. At least 40 names were listed.

Gallery

Insignia

Insignia is a combination of old Russian Empire flag and letter M which was borrowed from the Metro 2033 book.