Convict Battalion Assault Unit Takes Russian Positions In Donetsk Sector

A unit of former Ukrainian prison convicts who volunteered to fight against the Russians has captured Russian positions in an assault near Novoseliivka Persha in Donetsk. 

The unit is attached to the experienced 47th Brigade. This attack is considered proof of the convict recruitment and training concept as well as another of Ukraine's recent successes. JL

Militarnyi reports:

Soldiers of the “Shkval” Special Battalion recruited in prisons conducted a sweep and captured the invaders positions in the Donetsk region. An assault unit from the battalion in M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles broke into the invaders’ positions on the outskirts of Novoselivka Persha village. The 47th ‘Magura’ Brigade has been fighting in the Cheremotyn area for a long time. In addition to the 47th Brigade, there are reports of convicts fighting with the 92nd Separate Special Forces Brigade, 1st Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci” and 3rd Assault Brigade. 

Soldiers of the “Shkval” Special Battalion recruited in prisons conducted a sweep and captured the invaders positions in the Donetsk region.

The news was published by the 47th Mechanized Brigade.

The brigade’s press service released a video of an assault unit from the Shkval special battalion, in which soldiers on M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles broke into the invaders’ positions on the outskirts of Novoselivka Persha village.

 

The soldiers successfully landed and, with the support of an infantry fighting vehicle, stormed the landing, clearing it of Russian occupants.

It is worth noting that it is unlikely that the “Shkval” Battalion received its own M2 Bradleys. Most likely, the armored vehicles were assigned to another unit of the 47th Brigade for this task.

The 47th ‘Magura’ Brigade has been fighting in the Cheremotyn area for a long time, holding back the Russian army’s offensive. In particular, since the beginning of June, it has been holding back enemy attempts to capture Novoselivka Persha.

According to DeepState, Russian troops from the east and north are conducting constant offensives and trying to gain a foothold in the village.

 

However, due to the constant pressure of the Magura fighters, the enemy has not yet been able to take full control of the settlement.

Last month, the Ukrainian military showed the training of the first specialized battalion formed from convicts as part of the 92nd Assault Brigade.

The special battalion includes former prisoners mobilized from prisons who voluntarily expressed their desire to serve in the Armed Forces and fight against Russia.

The published footage showed the training process, during which the fighters took tactical and medical training courses.

Training of a special battalion of former prisoners as part of the 92nd Brigade, June 2024. Photo credits: TSN

In addition to the 92nd Separate Special Forces Brigade, there are reports of convicts being used in other units: 1st Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci” and 3rd Assault Brigade. The latter will have its own approach to assimilating the new contingent and will not create separate units.