Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion | |
---|---|
Russian: Батальон имени Павла Судоплатова | |
Founded | September 2022 (September 2022) |
Country | Russia |
Allegiance | Russia |
Type | Militia |
Size | 600+ (claimed, January 2023)[1] |
Engagements | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Yevgeny Balitsky |
The Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion (Russian: Батальон имени Павла Судоплатова) is a Russian volunteer battalion in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast of Ukraine named after the Soviet intelligence officer and Melitopol native Pavel Sudoplatov. [3]
The battalion was established in September 2022[4][5] and consists of pro-Russian Ukrainians[6] and foreign volunteers.[7] It is allied with the Russian-installed authorities in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast and led by Yevgeny Balitsky,[5] whose son is also a member of the battalion.[1]
The PSB was formally registered as the State Unitary Enterprise "Volunteer Battalion named after P.A. Sudoplatov" by the Federal Taxation Service.[8] Volunteers are paid 400,000 rubles or 5,000 US dollars.[8]
On 4 July, 2023, the Battalion would be subordinated into the BARS-32 ceasing its existence as an independent unit.[9]
Foreigners who have been recruited to the PSB include nationals from Serbia,[10] Sweden and Turkey.[11]