One of the advance units of the DPR People’s Militia is the separate tank battalion under the command of Colonel Pyotr Ruchev. According to the correspondent of the official website of the Donetsk People’s Republic, today, on November 12, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the founding of the DPR PM, this unit was given the honorary title of the Guards Battalion.
“In five years, much has changed for the better. From loosely assembled self-defense units, militias, we have been transformed into a full-fledged unit. Now we carry out various combat missions from Gorlovka to Novoazovsk, and our troops act decently. I believe that in five years we have made a major step forward and are capable of continuing to fulfill the tasks set in full,” Pyotr Ruchiov said.
The separate guards tank battalion was formed in 2014. Its tankmen distinguished themselves in the battles for Shakhtyorsk, in assault on the Donetsk airport, and in the Uglegorsk-Debaltsevo offensive. Two personnel of the battalion were awarded the title of Heroes of the Donetsk People’s Republic (posthumously).