Karelian National Battalion
Карельський національний батальйон
Kareľśkyj Nacionaľnyj Bataľjon
Карельский национальный батальон
Karjalan Kansallini Pataljona
Battalion insignia
ActiveJanuary 2023 - present
Country Ukraine
TypeForeign volunteer battalion
RoleLight infantry
Information Warfare[1]
Activism
SizeUnknown
Part ofInternational Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine
Nickname(s)Ukki Väinämöinen
Engagements
WebsiteOfficial Telegram channel
Commanders
Current
commander		Unknown
Notable
commanders		Dmitry Kuznetsov (January 2023[3] - August 2023)

The Karelian National Battalion (Ukrainian: Карельський національний батальйон, romanized: Kareľśkyj Nacionaľnyj Bataľjon) (Karelian: Karjalan Kansallini Pataljona) is a formation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, functioning as a component of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine.[4] The battalion is a voluntary military unit that consists of ethnic Karelians.[4] It seeks to achieve the liberation of Karelia from "Russian occupation" and gain independence.[5]

History

Formation

On 27 February, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an announcement declaring the establishment of an international fighting force to assist in defending the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion.[6]

In January 2023, most likely in reaction to the need for international volunteers,[6] the Karelian National Battalion was established by representatives associated with the Karelian National Movement - a nationalist movement advocating for Karelian independence since 2012, prior to the Revolution of Dignity, and Euromaidan.[7] The announcement of the unit specified that it would be incorporated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces and operate within the framework of the International Legion.[4] The stated purpose of the battalion, according to the several Karelian political activists involved in the establishment of the unit, was to engage in combat against the Russians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, they expressed the long-term goal of achieving the complete liberation and independence for the region of Karelia which they refer to as "occupied Karelia" - commonly known as the "Republic of Karelia".[4] The Karelian National Battalion also strives to promote the independence of other Finno-Ugric peoples from Russia.[8]

Recruitment of Volunteers

According to Ukrainian Moloda, the unit began recruiting in late January 2023. It was mentioned that there were several requirements for volunteers to join the unit, these consisted of good health, no problems with substances or alcohol, a devotion to traditional Nordic values, and a desire to free Karelia from "occupation", as well as a desire to controbute to the victory over the so-called "terrorist regime" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.[5]

Affiliation with the Karelian National Movement

The Karelian National Movement reportedly played a crucial role in raising funds for the battalion. There were also several claims of an attempt to secure support from Denys Prokopenko, the current commander of the Azov Assault Brigade, an infamous Ukrainian paramilitary unit that has comonly been subjeted to allegations of neo-Nazism.[7][9] Prokopenko, having returned to Ukraine after being captured by Russian troops during the Siege of Mariupol, is noted that his grandfather had Karelian roots and defected to the Finns.[7] The unit has also been photographed somewhere in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast holding up an older variation of a flag belonging to the Azov Battalion - this variant includes the black sun and wolfsangel symbols, both of which have had a correlation to neo-Nazism.[10][11]

Insignia and Nickname

The battalion bears the name "Ukki Väinämöinen", also known as Vaseli Levonen, which is shown on one of the unofficial battalion's insignia. Vaseli Levonen was a Karelian ideological leader known for his role in the East Karelian uprising against the Soviet Union in the years 1921-1922.[12]

The initial emblem adopted by the unit was on January 19 2023, and was uploaded to their Telegram channel - it featured a circular chevron with a Viking ship in the middle. On the boat's banner was a wolfsangel that was very much similar in appearance to the wolfsangel utilised in the variation of the Azov Brigade's insignia,[13] and the rest of the patch featured other Nordic patterns and insignias. This was accompanied by the inscription "Karjala," meaning Karelia, at the top of the patch. The emblem was displayed in the distinctive colors of Karelia.[14] After the unit was announced, several variations of the insignia started appearing on Ukrainian media outlets. This included Promote Ukraine. This rendition featured a simplified design, retaining the Karelian colours but omitting the Viking ship and other Nordic patterns and insignia. The inscription "Karjala" was retained, and a Cyrillic abbreviation of the battalion was added at the bottom, along with the unit's nickname: "Vaseli Levonen.". There was also another version of the insignia that was displayed in a roundel.[12]

In October 2023, as part of a rebranding effort, the unit changed its insignia again. The current insignia drew inspiration from the Academic Karelia Society, displaying an arm with armour plating and a shield. The wolfsangel, inscription, and the colours of the insignia were retained. The insignia preserves the "Karjala" inscription, the Karelian color scheme, and the Wolfsangel, resembling a rotated version of the symbol used by the 34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland.[14]

Activities and Operations

A sticker reading "A new day has dawned. Karelia is rising, her own battalions are marching in line.".

According to Russian media The Moscow Times, the Karelian National Battalion predominantly operates in exile within neighbouring Finland, this was triggered as a result of members from of the Karelian National Movement fleeing Russia after the full-scale Russian invasion - it can be presumed that the members in exile formed the unit in Finland. Some members occasionally head back home to Karelia, which often causes clashes with the local Russian Federal Security Service agents, who regularly arrest and charge these members for alleged "ethnic nationalism" and "inciting treason.".[15]

After the severing of ties with the Karelian National Movement, the battalion begun involving itself in political affairs in Karelia itself - expanding beyond the horizon of just a military unit; but rather a political force too. The battalion has obtained support from several ethnic groups such as the Komi people, many of whom hold high ranking positions within the group.[15]

According to Ukraina Moloda the battalion noted that during the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland, Ukrainian units defended the territory of Karelia on the side of the Armed Forces of Finland while being commanded by the former Holnodyarsk chieftain, lieutenant colonel of the Ukrainian People's Army, Yuriy Gorlis-Gorsky.[16]

According to Ukrainian magazine Focus, an unidentified Russian source suggested the idea that Finland could potentially resemble a "second Ukraine". This association is drawn in connection with the presence of various Finnish neo-Nazi groups and the increasing influence of independence and nationalist movements, such as the Karelian National Movement and the Karelian National Battalion, operating within and outside of Finland.[17][18]

It had been observed by Iltalehti, a Finnish tabloid, that engaging in Karelian activism and nationalism may carry severe legal consequences for those involved. These include a ten-year prison sentence for merely deingrating the Russian Armed Forces, and allegedly extended periods of imprisonment. In addition to this, expressions of support for Ukraine and the involvement in activites perceived as hindering "Russia's actions" may escalate resulting in a sentence of up to 20 years.[8]

In a report featured by Iltalehti, a sticker associated with the Karelian National Battalion was presented as a means of disseminating information about the unit itself.[8] The same sticker was also showcased on an Estonian website called "Koiduaeg," calling itself a "national news and opinions portal.".[19] According to the source, the sticker read "A new day has dawned. Karelia is rising, her own battalions are marching in line".[2] Moreover, the sticker also featured the insignia of the Russian Volunteer Corps,[8][2] a paramilitary unit consisting of Russian citizens and has been deemed as a far-right organisation[20][21] - suggesting a shift in alignment to the Russian Volunteer Corps after the severing of ties with the Karelian National Movement. The sticker also has a link to the official Telegram page of the Karelian National Battalion page.

Russo-Ukrainian war

Karelian fighters holding a flag of the Azov Battalion.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Recruitment of the unit begun in early January 2023, with a criteria for volunteers being outlined by the unit on their Telegram channel.[5] A photo of the unit published on their Telegram channel indicates that the unit were present in Ukraine by 24 February 2023. The official number of volunteers in Ukraine or elsewhere in neighbouring Finland, next to Karelia, is unknown.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, activism in Karelia and Inkerinmaa has gained increased prominence - particularly directed towards freeing Karelia from what is perceived as Russian "imperialism".[8] The nature of these actions has exposed activists to potential risks and challenges, such as imprisonment and prosecution. In a notable photograph, activists affiliated with the Karelian National Movement are depicted wearing combat gear and holding Kalashnikov rifles while proudly displaying the flag of Karelia.[8] The Inkerinmaa flag is also often seen in the hands of activists.[8]

A photograph belonging to the unit was present in an article by Koiduaeg, featuring the Karelian flag alongside military equipment - including a plate carrier, a traditional Ukrainian cap, and military boots. The caption acknowledge the tactical discretion exercised by the volunteers of the unit, stating "Due to tactical reasons, the volunteers of Karelia cannot express the full extent of their contribution in Ukraine.".[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lundelin, Katriina (2023-12-02). "Osa Active Club -kamppailukerhojen jäsenistä valmistautuu itsenäisyyspäivänä väkivaltaisuuksiin". Seura.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Karjala iseseisvuslased: Me ei soovi asendada Moskva diktaati Brüsseliga. II osa". Koiduaeg (in Estonian). 2024-01-09. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  3. ↑ "Dmitry Kuznetsov. Karelian separatist from Spain". newins.ru. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "У складі Збройних сил України створено окремий Карельський національний батальйон". Promote Ukraine - голос України в ЄС (in Ukrainian). 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  5. 1 2 3 ЧЕРКАСЕЦЬ, Олена (2023-01-21). "Карельський національний батальйон у складі ЗСУ створили активісти". Останні та актуальні новини України та світу, новини дня онлайн (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  6. 1 2 McKernan, Bethan (2022-02-27). "Ukraine appeals for foreign volunteers to join fight against Russia". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  7. 1 2 3 "Dmitry Kuznetsov. Karelian separatist from Spain". The news informer. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kastehelmi, Emil (2023-12-26). "Suur-Suomen sotilaat voivat joutua suuriin ongelmiin Venäjällä". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  9. ↑ "Profile: Who are Ukraine's far-right Azov regiment?". Al Jazeera. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  10. ↑ Ball, Tom (2022-05-30). "Azov Battalion drops neo-Nazi symbol exploited by Russian propagandists". The Times & The Sunday Times. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  11. ↑ "'Don't confuse patriotism and Nazism': Ukraine's Azov forces face scrutiny". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  12. 1 2 Correspondence, ABN (2023-12-29). "Karelian nationalists created a battalion as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". Anti-imperial Block of Nations. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  13. ↑ "Ukrainian supporters rally behind embattled Azov regiment". France 24. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  14. 1 2 Kastehelmi, Emil (2023-12-26). "Venäjällä haluja itsenäistää Karjala – Tästä on kyse". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  15. 1 2 Latypova, Leyla (2024-01-15). "Northern Flight: The Teenage Komi-Karelian Activist Who Escaped the FSB". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  16. ↑ ЧЕРКАСЕЦЬ, Олена (2023-01-21). "Карельський національний батальйон у складі ЗСУ створили активісти". Останні та актуальні новини України та світу, новини дня онлайн (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  17. ↑ Флоранський, Олександр (2023-12-27). "друга Україна": у РФ окреслили цілі розширення війни,". ФОКУС (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  18. ↑ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 26, 2023". Critical Threats. 2023-12-26. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  19. ↑ "Rahvusliku tuleviku teejuht". Koiduaeg (in Estonian). Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  20. ↑ Dixon, Robyn; Ebel, Francesca; Ilyushina, Mary (2023-03-02). "Kremlin accuses Ukraine of violent attack in western Russia". Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  21. ↑ "«Русский добровольческий корпус», «Легион» и ССО «Азов». Как россияне воюют против Кремля на стороне Украины". vot-tak.tv. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-01-15.

Further Reading

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