Sparta Battalion
| Sparta Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Батальон «Спарта» | |
 Service sleeve insignia of the Sparta Battalion  Flag of the Sparta Battalion |
|
| Active | Summer 2014 – present |
| Allegiance |
 Donetsk People's Republic
|
| Branch | Army |
| Role | Special Forces |
| Size | about 1,000 troops |
| Part of |
 United Armed Forces of Novorossiya
|
| Garrison/HQ | Donetsk |
| Nickname(s) | Motorola's Division |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Vladimir Zhoga Arseny Pavlov † |
The Sparta Battalion (Russian: батальон «Спарта») is a special forces military unit of the Donetsk People's Republic which was led by the Russian born Arsen Pavlov ("Motorola"). The battalion took part in the Battle of Ilovaisk and Second Battle of Donetsk Airport.
After Pavlov's assassination, the commander became Vladimir Zhoga (callsign "Voha"), a DPR fighter from Sloviansk.
Sparta Battalion in Ilovaisk talking to civilians near a cellar (August 2014)
Sparta Battalion troops near the Donetsk Airport (October 2014)
Company commander of the Sparta Battalion, "Matros", in Donetsk Airport. He led the final DPR assault on the New Terminal.
Sparta Battalion fighter near the Donetsk Airport's Old Terminal (November 2014)
Arsen Pavlov with his troops on BTR-70s during the rehearsal of the 2015 Donetsk Victory Day parade
Arsen Pavlov and Sparta Battalion troops on a BTR-80 during the 2016 Donetsk Victory Day parade
...
Wikipedia