Prizrak Brigade

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Prizrak Brigade
Бригада «Призрак» meaning "Ghost Brigade"
Flag of the Ghost Brigade.svg
Service sleeve insignia of the Prizrak Battalion
ActiveSince April 2014
Allegiance Novorossiya
TypeSeparatist group
RoleMotorized brigade
SizeAbout 3,000 troops[1]
Part of Luhansk People's Militia
Garrison/HQLuhansk
Nickname(s)Ghost Brigade
Commanders
Current
commander		Yuri Shevchenko
Deputy commanderAleksey Markov
Notable
commanders		Aleksey Mozgovoy

The Prizrak Brigade (in Russian Бригада «Призрак») meaning "Ghost Brigade" commanded by Aleksey Mozgovoy, is an infantry unit of the Lugansk People's Republic. The full name of the Brigade is Mechanized Brigade Prizrak.

History[]

The unit was established in late 2014 after anti-Maidan protesters occupied the RSA buildings in Luhansk. It began as a platoon sized unit, but in August 2014 it became a battalion as the number of fighters grew to 1,000.[2] The commander of the Brigade Aleksey Mozgovoy claimed in late December 2014 to have up to 3,000 fighters.[1] Mozgovoy was killed in an IED and gun attack 23 May 2015 along with a number of his bodyguards[3] although survived a similar ambush 2 months prior to his death. A supposed covert Ukrainian military unit named "shadows" claimed both attacks however the two incidents appear to be their only active engagements throughout the conflict which fueled a number of theories including Russian involvement.

The stated goal of Prizrak is to be both a military combat unit as well as socialist political organization which would make them the only military unit operating within the structures of the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic that have a dual objective. Membership of Prizrak comprises primarily of east Ukrainians and Russian nationals however due to their political ethos the unit does draw in a number of western nationals from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the United States, Brazil, and the UK. Primary military activities include battlefield reconnaissance, sabotage, covert assault and other intelligence activities. Political activities include promotion of socialist policy, electoral promotion activities and social care projects primarily in Luhansk.

In 2015 it ceased its military independence and became integrated into IV Territorial Battalion of Defense of the United Armed Forces of Novorossiya.[4]

In 2015 so named LNR/DNR quasi-states and all their "military units" were designated as "terrorist organisations" by Supreme Court of Ukraine.[5][6] Security Service of Ukraine has been pursuing units members in order to bring them to justice since then.[7][8]

On 24 October 2020 , political and military leader of the group after the assassination of Aleksey Mozgovoy, died.[9]

Notable military operations[]

In the Battle of Debaltseve Prizrak units conducted reconnaissance missions which included landmine clearance for main assault forces, corrective artillery information, and anti-armour activities.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Luhn, Alec (22 December 2014). "The People's Court of Eastern Ukraine". Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018 – via www.thenation.com.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2015-02-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "The last days of Aleksey Mozgovoi, rebel hero of the 'Ghost' battalion - killed in an ambush". independent.co.uk. 24 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Бригада "Призрак" Алексея Мозгового вошла в состав "Народной милиции" "ЛНР"". Ostrovok News. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Про Заяву Верховної Ради України "Про визнання Україною юрисдикції Міжнародного кримінального суду щодо скоєння злочинів проти людяності та воєнних злочинів вищими посадовими особами Російської Федерації та керівниками терористичних організацій "ДНР" та "ЛНР", які призвели до особливо тяжких наслідків та масового вбивства українських громадян"]". Verkhovna Rada (in Ukrainian).
  6. ^ "Постанова Верховного Суду щодо визнання діяльності терористичною". Supreme Court of Ukraine (in Ukrainian).
  7. ^ "Leader of "Brianka USSR" terrorist group is convicted to 15-year imprisonment". Security Service of Ukraine. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Donetsk region: SBU uncovers militant who mined six bridges". Security Service of Ukraine. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Statement of the Central Committee of the CP of the DPR in connection with the tragic death of Alexey Markov". wpered.su. 25 October 2020.
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