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The Donbas self-defense forces asked the leadership of [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast]] and the [[military commissariat]] to create a territorial defense battalion. They succeeded only after a similar proposal to the administration of Donetsk Oblast was rejected. On 15 April, recruitment of volunteers and officers into the new Donbas Battalion began. A charitable foundation for the battalion was created, and Ukrainians nationwide donated aid and money for the unit's logistical needs. The battalion, based in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, is open to citizens with licensed weapons.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 April 2014 |title=Міноборони: В областях створюються батальйони територіальної оборони |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/ua/news/247260349 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822223810/https://www.kmu.gov.ua/ua/news/247260349 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |publisher=Урядовий портал |language=uk}}</ref>
=== <span class="anchor" id="Non-governmental armed formation (April 2014 – June 2014)"></span>Non-governmental armed formation (April – June 2014) ===
In March 2014, a self-defense unit of thein [[Donetsk Oblast]] was created. After the first battles with [[Donetsk People's Republic|DPR]] forces, the creation of the Donbas Volunteer Battalion was announced. The commander of the squad was [[Semen Semenchenko]], who announced the recruitment of volunteers tofor the unit on his [[Facebook]] page.
Within few days, about 600 volunteers signed up to the Donbas battalion, and by the end of April the unit began operation in the Donetsk Oblast. Battalion members provided assistance in moving activists who were in danger and collected information about the coordinators of pro-Russian rallies and checkpoints. The battalion leadership created groups for counteraction, intelligence, warning and escort.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} ▼
▲Within a few days, about 600 volunteers signed up tofor the Donbas battalion, andBattalion; by the end of April , the unit began operation in the Donetsk Oblast. Battalion members provided assistance in moving activists who were in danger and collected information about the coordinators of pro-Russian rallies and checkpoints. The battalion leadership created groups for counteraction, intelligence, warning and escort.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
On 1 May, the unit participated in its first operation to capture and destroy the civil checkpoints. The Donbas Battalion successfully destroyed a separatist checkpoint in [[Krasnoarmiysk]]. Three [[Kalashnikov rifle|Kalashnikovs]] were seized and 15 civilians captured.<ref>{{cite web |author=Leshchenko |first=Alexander |date=1 May 2014 |title=Силовики уничтожили блокпост сепаратистов под Красноармейском (дополнено) |url=http://fakty.ua/180989-siloviki-unichtozhili-blokpost-separatistov-pod-krasnoarmejskom |publisher=ФАКТЫ |language=ru}}</ref> ▼
▲On 1 May, theThe unitbattalion participated in its first operation to capture and destroy the civilcivilian checkpoints . Theon Donbas1 Battalion successfullyMay, destroyeddestroying a separatist checkpoint in [[Krasnoarmiysk]]. Three [[Kalashnikov rifle|Kalashnikovs]] were seized and 15 civilians were captured.<ref>{{cite web |author=Leshchenko |first=Alexander |date=1 May 2014 |title=Силовики уничтожили блокпост сепаратистов под Красноармейском (дополнено) |url=http://fakty.ua/180989-siloviki-unichtozhili-blokpost-separatistov-pod-krasnoarmejskom |publisher=ФАКТЫ |language=ru}}</ref>
The battalion commander was offered a location for a base in Novopidhorodne at the boundary of the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk Oblasts.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ringis |first=Anastasia |date=24 October 2014 |title=Новые лица: ради чего комбаты идут в большую политику |url=https://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/10/24/182635/?fb_action_ids=792557590782907&fb_action_types=og.recommends |publisher=Українська правда |language=ru}}</ref> After the destruction of the checkpoint in Krasnoarmiysk, the fighters returned to the base. A few hours later, Russian mercenaries arrived in three buses to assault the Donbas base.{{External media|float=right ▼|video1={{YouTube|r-A2NyQPDu4|1 мая донецкие провокаторы устроили конфликт на территории Днепропетровщины}} // 34 телеканал, 5 May 2014 ▼}} The Donbas fighters were armed with several small-caliber rifles and grenades. The Russian attempt to assault the checkpoint did not succeed because a Ukrainian military helicopter arrived, leading the attackers to retreat.<ref>{{cite web |author=Krushilin |first=Egor |date=24 May 2017 |title=Дмитрий Бабкин: "В первом бою у бойцов "Донбасса" было всего 12 автоматов, несколько ружей и гранат" |url=http://fakty.ua/236734-dmitrij-babkin-v-pervom-boyu-u-bojcov-donbassa-bylo-vsego-12-avtomatov-neskolko-ruzhej-i-granat |publisher=Факты и комментарии |language=ru}}</ref> ▼[[File:Battalion "Donbas" in Donetsk region 04.jpg|left|thumb|312x312px|Donbas volunteers in Donetsk desimbarking a [[BTR-60]] [[armoured personnel carrier]].]] ▼{{External media|float=right
|video1={{YouTube|KG5YX6-ec5U|Боевой Вертолет пугает людей}} // Украинский Медведь, 6 June 2014 ▼}} On 11 May, a subdivision of the Donbas Battalion, stationed in [[Mariupol]] assisted the [[National Guard of Ukraine|Ukrainian National Guard]] in the recapture of Mariupol's police station.<ref name="Gard SESE" />
On 15 May 2014, the unit carried out an operation to clear enemy sabotage groups from the Donbass territories. The operation was held in [[Velyka Novosilka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/05/15/7025491/|title=Батальон ''Донбасс'' взял под контроль район Донетчины – командир|date=15 May 2014|publisher=Українська правда|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KFGgKPrWfY&ab_channel=VICENews | title=Meeting the Donbas Battalion: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 39) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=20 May 2014 }}</ref> Control over the district was returned to Ukrainian administration and the [[flag of Ukraine]] was raised over the district administration building. Educational work was carried out with the militiamen who had previously handed over control of the region to DPR forces. The district was placed under military occupation and the Donbas battalion supervised elections in Velikonovosilkivsky district. With the region under government control, the branches of the largely defunct [[Party of Regions]] and the banned [[Communist Party of Ukraine|Communist Party]] were forced to dissolve.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gordonua.com/news/separatism/batalon-donbass-zahvatil-ofis-partii-regionov-v-velikoy-novoselkovke-doneckoy-oblasti-23007.html|title=Батальон "Донбасс" захватил офис Партии регионов в Великой Новоселовке Донецкой области|date=17 May 2014|publisher=GORDONUA.COM|language=ru}}</ref> ▼
▲The battalion commander was offered a location for a base in Novopidhorodne , at the boundaryborder of the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk Oblasts.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ringis |first=Anastasia |date=24 October 2014 |title=Новые лица: ради чего комбаты идут в большую политику |url=https://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/10/24/182635/?fb_action_ids=792557590782907&fb_action_types=og.recommends |publisher=Українська правда |language=ru}}</ref> After destroying the destruction of theKrasnoarmiysk checkpoint in Krasnoarmiysk, the fighters returned to thetheir base. A few hours later, Russian mercenaries arrived in three buses to assault the Donbas base. {{External media|float=right
On 21 May 2014, Semen Semenchenko, the battalion commander, referred to those employees of the [[Vehicle inspection|State Automobile Inspection of Ukraine]] in the Donetsk region who defected to the DPR side as "traitors". He said the same of those who were carrying joint service with DPR soldiers at the checkpoints, accompanying vehicle columns, and guarding the administrative buildings. He demanded that they hand over their arms and leave the Donetsk Oblast territory by noon on 22 May, threatening to eliminate them if they continued cooperate with the DPR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/05/21/7026000/|title=Батальон Донбасс выдвинул ультиматум "ГАИшникам-предателям"|date=21 May 2014|publisher=Українська правда|language=ru}}</ref>
▲{{External media|float=right|video1={{YouTube|r-A2NyQPDu4|1 мая донецкие провокаторы устроили конфликт на территории Днепропетровщины}} // 34 телеканал, 5 May 2014 }}
By 21 May, the battalion had taken control over the administration buildings of four districts: Velikonovosilkivsky, [[Nikolske Raion|Volodarsky]], [[Dobropillia Raion|Dobropolsky]] and Aleksandrivsky. This operation was to ensure the security of polling stations to allow the 2014 [[Ukrainian presidential election, 2014|presidential elections]] in Ukraine to be held securely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://novostey.com/politic/news600689.html|title=Батальон Донбасс берет под охрану избирательные участки в 4-х районах Донетчины|date=21 May 2014|publisher=Новостей.COM|language=ru}}</ref> ▼▲}} The Donbas fighters were armed with several small-caliber rifles and grenades. The Russian attempt to assault the checkpoint did notbase succeedfailed because a Ukrainian military helicopter arrived, leadingforcing the attackers to retreat.<ref>{{cite web |author=Krushilin |first=Egor |date=24 May 2017 |title=Дмитрий Бабкин: "В первом бою у бойцов "Донбасса" было всего 12 автоматов, несколько ружей и гранат" |url=http://fakty.ua/236734-dmitrij-babkin-v-pervom-boyu-u-bojcov-donbassa-bylo-vsego-12-avtomatov-neskolko-ruzhej-i-granat |publisher=Факты и комментарии |language=ru}}</ref>
▲[[File:Battalion "Donbas" in Donetsk region 04.jpg|left|thumb| 312x312pxupright=1.4|alt=Soldiers climbing off an eight-wheeled vehicle|Donbas volunteers in Donetsk desimbarkingexiting a [[BTR-60]] [[armoured personnel carrier]] .]]
On 22 May 2014, Semenchenko announced that Ukrainian control over the [[Volodarske Raion|Volodarske district]] had been re-established.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/05/22/7026157/|title=Батальон "Донбасс" взял под контроль еще один район Донецкой области|date=22 May 2014|publisher=Українська правда|language=ru}}</ref>
▲{{External media|float=right|video1={{YouTube|KG5YX6-ec5U|Боевой Вертолет пугает людей}} // Украинский Медведь, 6 June 2014 }}
▲On 1511 May 2014, a subdivision of the unitbattalion carriedstationed outin an[[Mariupol]] operationassisted tothe clear[[National enemyGuard sabotageof groupsUkraine|Ukrainian fromNational Guard]] in the Donbassrecapture territoriesof Mariupol's police station. <ref Thename="Gard operationSESE" was/> heldFour indays later, the unit cleared Russian sabotage groups from [[Velyka Novosilka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/05/15/7025491/|title=Батальон ''Донбасс'' взял под контроль район Донетчины – командир|date=15 May 2014|publisher=Українська правда|language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KFGgKPrWfY&ab_channel=VICENews | title=Meeting the Donbas Battalion: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 39) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=20 May 2014 }}</ref> Control overof the district was returned to Ukrainian administrationUkraine, and theits [[flag of Ukraine |flag]] was raised over the district administration building. Educational work was carried out with the militiamen who had previously handed overgiven control of the region to DPR forces. The[[Volnovakha districtRaion]] was placed under military occupation , and the Donbas battalion supervised elections in Velikonovosilkivsky district. With the region under government control, the branches of the largely -defunct [[Party of Regions]] and the banned [[Communist Party of Ukraine|Communist Party]] were forced to dissolve.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gordonua.com/news/separatism/batalon-donbass-zahvatil-ofis-partii-regionov-v-velikoy-novoselkovke-doneckoy-oblasti-23007.html|title=Батальон "Донбасс" захватил офис Партии регионов в Великой Новоселовке Донецкой области|date=17 May 2014|publisher=GORDONUA.COM|language=ru}}</ref>
On 2321 May, Semenchenko'sbattalion unitcommander wentSemen Semenchenko referred to attack[[Donetsk]] fortifiedState areasAutomobile butInspection wasof ambushedUkraine inemployees [[Karlivka,who Donetskdefected Oblast|Karlivka]]to the DPR side as "traitors". TwentyHe fivesaid fightersthe same about those who were inserving thewith opposingDPR soldiers at the forcescheckpoints, aaccompanying companyvehicle ofcolumns, theand Vostokguarding battalionadministrative buildings. Semenchenko reporteddemanded that fourthey membershand ofover thetheir Donbasarms battalionand wereleave killed,Donetsk oneOblast diedby fromnoon wounds,the aboutfollowing 20 woundedday, andthreatening anto undisclosed"eliminate" numberthem wereif captured.they Thecontinued Vostokto battalioncooperate lostwith eleventhe soldiersDPR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazetapravda.rucom.ua/politicsrus/news/2014/05/2321/7026000/n_6176461.shtml|title=ВБатальон столкновенииДонбасс увыдвинул селаультиматум Карловка под Донецком погибли пять человек"ГАИшникам-предателям"|date=2321 May 2014|publisher=Газета.РуУкраїнська правда|language=ru}}</ref>
▲By 21 May, the battalion had taken control overof the administration buildings of four districts: Velikonovosilkivsky, [[Nikolske Raion|Volodarsky]], [[Dobropillia Raion|Dobropolsky]] and Aleksandrivsky. This operation was to ensure the security ofsecured polling stations to allowfor the [[2014 [[Ukrainian presidential election , 2014|presidential elections]] in Ukraine to be held securely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://novostey.com/politic/news600689.html|title=Батальон Донбасс берет под охрану избирательные участки в 4-х районах Донетчины|date=21 May 2014|publisher=Новостей.COM |language=ru}}</ref> On 22 May 2014, Semenchenko announced that Ukrainian control of [[Nikolske Raion|Volodarske district]] had been re-established.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2014/05/22/7026157/|title=Батальон "Донбасс" взял под контроль еще один район Донецкой области|date=22 May 2014|publisher=Українська правда|language=ru}}</ref>
On 23 May, Semenchenko's unit was ambushed in [[Karlivka, Donetsk Oblast|Karlivka]] by a 25-soldier company of the Vostok Battalion. Semenchenko reported that four members of the Donbas Battalion were killed; one died from injuries, about 20 were wounded, and an undisclosed number were captured. The Vostok Battalion lost eleven soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2014/05/23/n_6176461.shtml|title=В столкновении у села Карловка под Донецком погибли пять человек|date=23 May 2014|publisher=Газета.Ру|language=ru}}</ref>
=== Special purpose battalion in the National Guard of Ukraine (June 2014 – October 2016) ===
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