Oplot Brigade

Oplot 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade
Oplot 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade
Оплот 5-я отдельная мотострелковая бригада
	Unit patch
Active	2014–present
Country	Russia (2022–present); Previously:; Donetsk People's Republic (2014–2022)
Branch	Russian Ground Forces (2022–present); DPR People's Militia (2014–2022)
Size	Brigade
Part of	51th Combined Arms Army
Engagements	Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbas Siege of Sloviansk; Battle of Ilovaisk; Battle of Debaltseve; Shyrokyne standoff; ; Invasion of Ukraine Battle of Izium; Battle of Krasnohorivka; ; ;

The Oplot Brigade (lit.Stronghold Brigade) also known as the Oplot 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (‹See Tfd›Russian: Оплот 5-я отдельная мотострелковая бригада, 5 омсбр; Military Unit Number 08805); is a military unit of Russian Ground Forces. Until January 1, 2023, it was part of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR). It is attached to the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.

History

War in Donbas

The Oplot Brigade was formed in 2014 as the Oplot Battalion. It was later expanded into a Brigade in September 2014.^[1] It was led by Alexander Zakharchenko until his death in 2018.^[2]

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The brigade took part in the battle of Izium where they allegedly abused civilians during the occupation of the city.^[3] In January 2023, it became part of the Russian army under the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.^[4]^[5] The brigade is currently involved in the battle of Krasnohorivka.

References

^ Shcherbachenko, Volodymyr V.; Yanova, Hanna (2017). War without Rules: Gender-Based Violence in the Context of the Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine (PDF). NGO Eastern-Ukrainian Centre for Civic Initiatives. ISBN 978-966-929-583-5.
^ "Separatists tighten grip on east Ukraine, EU agrees more sanctions on Moscow". Reuters. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
^ Hopkins, Nick; Wilson, Jamie; Harding, Luke (July 18, 2023). "Militia units commanded by Russia named in Izium abuse investigation" – via The Guardian.
^ "Батальон "Оплот" | Война и санкции". sanctions.nazk.gov.ua (in русский). Retrieved 2023-07-09.
^ "Consolidated TEXT: 32014R0269 — EN — 14.11.2022". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-07-09.

[Oplot-1] Shcherbachenko, Volodymyr V.; Yanova, Hanna (2017). War without Rules: Gender-Based Violence in the Context of the Armed Conflict in Eastern Ukraine (PDF). NGO Eastern-Ukrainian Centre for Civic Initiatives. ISBN 978-966-929-583-5.

[2] "Separatists tighten grip on east Ukraine, EU agrees more sanctions on Moscow". Reuters. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.

[3] Hopkins, Nick; Wilson, Jamie; Harding, Luke (July 18, 2023). "Militia units commanded by Russia named in Izium abuse investigation" – via The Guardian.

[4] "Батальон "Оплот" | Война и санкции". sanctions.nazk.gov.ua (in русский). Retrieved 2023-07-09.

[:0-5] "Consolidated TEXT: 32014R0269 — EN — 14.11.2022". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-07-09.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]