Multiple Russia-backed private armies operated in the Ukrainian Donbas region back in 2014 and 2015. Some of them were small armed groups mostly consisting of local criminals, others were detachments consisting of the members on Russia-based “patriotic organizations” such as various Don Cossack societies and far-right organizations, trained in Russia and in occupied Crimea. Finally, with the Russian security service FSB controlling law enforcement in the area, the Russian Army’s mercenaries and regulars conducted military operations against Ukrainian forces, controlled the above-mentioned militias, and were arresting or assassinating the chieftains and militants who defied Moscow orders. In 2015-2016, most of the Russian paramilitary groups operating in the Donbas were either united by the Russian military in two Army Corps in the occupied regional capital cities of Luhansk and Donetsk, or unarmed and disbanded.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
RFE/RL: Russian active-duty army fought against Ukraine in Donbas
Russian-hybrid forces withdraw their tanks from position near town of Novoazovsk in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on Oct. 21, 2015.
