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Military unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Separate Guards Motor Rifle Assault Battalion "Somalia" named after M. S. Tolstykh (OShB Somalia, MUN 08828; Russian: Отдельный гвардейский мотострелковый штурмовой батальон «Сомали» имени М. С. Толстых, ОШБ Сомали, в/ч 08828), often known as Somalia Battalion, is a military unit of Russian Ground Forces. Until January 1, 2023 it was part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). It is attached to the 51st Guards Combined Arms Army.[1] Its current commander is Timur Kurilkin.[2]
| Separate Guards Motor Rifle Assault Battalion "Somalia" named after M. S. Tolstykh | |
|---|---|
| Отдельный гвардейский мотострелковый штурмовой батальон «Сомали» имени М. С. Толстых | |
 Sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 2014–present |
| Country |  Donetsk People's Republic (2014–2022) Russia (2022–present) |
| Branch | DPR People's Militia (2015–2022) Russian Ground Forces (2022–present) |
| Type | Assault Battalion |
| Part of |  51st Combined Arms Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Donetsk |
| Patron | Mikhail Tolstykh |
| Colors | Black, blue, red, and white |
| Engagements | |
| Battle honours |  Guards |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Timur Kurilkin (Bajkot) |
| Notable commanders | Mikhail 'Givi' Tolstykh † |
The Somalia Battalion was formed in the summer of 2014 in Ilovaisk as the Separate Company "Somalia", and was commanded in its first few years by Mikhail Tolstykh, a native of Ilovaisk who went by the nom de guerre ‘Givi’. The name of the unit supposedly derived from the "irregular" look of its first fighters, and got its name because when fighters lined up for the first time "…they were dressed in all manner of civilian clothes, such as shorts and trainers, did not look like a combat force, and, in their view, resembled Somali pirates".[3]
In the fall of 2014, the company was raised to battalion strength and deployed into the 1st Separate Battalion Tactical Group “Somalia”. In the fall of 2014 – winter 2015, the group took part in the second battle of Donetsk airport.
In early 2015, it was reformed into the Separate Mechanized Battalion “Somalia”, which in spring 2015 was renamed the 1st Separate Tank Ilovaisk Battalion. In September 2015, during another reorganization, the unit was reformed into the Separate Motor Rifle (Assault) Battalion "Somalia".
On 12 February, 2016, the unit was awarded the honorary designation "Guards".[4]
In February 2017, the unit's commander, Mikhail Tolstykh, was assassinated in his office with a RPO-A Shmel rocket launcher. It is alleged he was killed by his own side because he knew who shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, or that he was killed by Ukrainian forces.[5] After the death of the commander the battalion was named after him.[4]
The battalion took part in the Siege of Mariupol alongside Russian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[2] In 2022, while being decorated by the head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, Senior Lieutenant of the Somalia Battalion Roman Vorobyov was shown wearing a Totenkopf and a valknut symbol on his arm patch; both symbols are associated with Nazi Germany.[6] The battalion participated in the Battle of Avdiivka.[7]
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.[citation needed]
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