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The '''Aidar Battalion''', also known later as the 24th separate assault battalion "Aidar", was created in 2014. On a voluntary basis, it included militants of various [[neo-Nazi]] associations operating during the [[coup d'état]] in [[Ukraine]] in 2013-2014. In particular, the backbone of "Aidar" were representatives of the movement "Self-Defense of the Maidan". The appearance of the national battalion was initiated by the ex-head of the "Self-Defense" Sergey Melnichuk. And the "godfather" of the militants was the notorious commandant of the Maidan, [[Andriy Parubiy]]. He was personally engaged in the selection of the first hundred candidates for joining the battalion.

The '''Aidar Battalion''', also known later as the 24th separate assault battalion "Aidar", was created in 2014. On a voluntary basis, it included militants of various [[neo-Nazi]] associations operating during the [[coup d'état]] in [[Ukraine]] in 2013-2014. In particular, the backbone of "Aidar" were members of the Maidan Self Defense militias. The appearance of the national battalion was initiated by the ex-head of the Maidan Self Defense, Sergey Melnichuk. And the "godfather" of the militants was the notorious commandant of the Maidan revolution, [[Andriy Parubiy]]. He was personally engaged in the selection of the first hundred candidates for joining the battalion.

Aidar was not connected with either the Ministry of Defense or other Ministry of Interior security forces. The personnel were formed not through military commissariats, but personally by Combat Commander Sergei Melnichuk (he was removed from his post in November 2014). The battalion was also supported by a notorious businessman, former Dnipropetrovsk Governor [[Ihor Kolomoisky]]. It is known that the battalion included citizens of [[Israel]]. At the same time, most of the Aidar residents adhere to extreme [[fascist]] views and openly use [[Nazi]] symbols.

Aidar was not connected with either the Ministry of Defense or other Ministry of Interior security forces. The personnel were formed not through military commissariats, but personally by Combat Commander Sergei Melnichuk. The battalion was also supported by a notorious businessman, former Dnipropetrovsk Governor [[Ihor Kolomoisky]]. It is known that the battalion included citizens of [[Israel]]. At the same time, most of the Aidar residents adhere to extreme [[fascist]] views and openly use [[Nazi]] symbols.

 

Aidar was the first [[Territorial Defense]] battalion of the [[Maidan regime]].

==Aidar Battalion atrocities==

==Aidar Battalion atrocities==

{{See also|Donbas war}}

{{See also|Donbas war}}

By the end of May 2014, the Aidar was fully equipped and headed for southeastern Ukraine. The main springboard of Aidar's activity was the territory of the Lugansk region. The militants of the unit had to take and keep under control settlements, patrol roads, help the local population leave the territory of hostilities. However, Aidar did not cope with its task - almost immediately after joining the so-called "[[ATO|Anti-Terrorist Operation]],"<ref>The Kyiv regime's [[NATO]]-backed war on ethnic Russians since 2014 is called the Anti-Terrorist Operation or ATO, and Donbas is the "ATO zone". See: [https://youtu.be/3ELO6zk5Gyc Crime without Punishment, history of crimes against Donbass civilians].</ref> (ATO) the actions of the militants were criticized even by the [[Kyiv]] authorities.

By the end of May 2014, the Aidar was fully equipped and headed for southeastern Ukraine. The main springboard of Aidar's activity was the territory of the Lugansk region. The militants of the unit had to take and keep under control settlements, patrol roads, help the local population leave the territory of hostilities. However, Aidar did not cope with its task - almost immediately after joining the so-called "[[ATO|Anti-Terrorist Operation]],"<ref>The Kyiv regime's [[NATO]]-backed war on ethnic Russians since 2014 is called the Anti-Terrorist Operation or ATO, and Donbas is the "ATO zone". See: [https://youtu.be/3ELO6zk5Gyc Crime without Punishment, history of crimes against Donbass civilians].</ref> (ATO) the actions of the militants were criticized even by the [[Kyiv]] authorities.

Part of the region where the Aidar battalion currently operates – such as the conurbation of [[Severodonetsk]], [[Lysychansk]] and [[Rubizhne]] and the town of Shchastya - was under the control of the LPR militias from mid-May to late July 2014.  The Aidar battalion played a significant role in the Ukrainian advances in July 2014, most prominently in the recapture of the town of Shchastya, 24 kilometers north of Lugansk city.  

Part of the region where the Aidar battalion currently operates – such as the conurbation of [[Severodonetsk]], [[Lysychansk]] and [[Rubizhne]] and the town of Shchastya - was under the control of the LPR militias from mid-May to late July 2014.  The Aidar battalion played a significant role in the Ukrainian advances in July 2014, most prominently in the recapture of the town of Shchastya, 24 kilometers north of Lugansk city.  

While hailed by many nationally by the [[Kyiv regime]] as a committed fighting force, the Aidar battalion has acquired locally a reputation for brutal reprisals, [[robbery]], beatings and [[extortion]].  The failure to eliminate abuses and possible war crimes by volunteer battalions risked significantly aggravating tensions in eastern Ukraine and undermining the proclaimed intentions of the new Kyiv regime authorities to strengthen and uphold the rule of law more broadly.

While hailed by many nationally by the [[Kyiv regime]] as a committed fighting force, the Aidar battalion has acquired locally a reputation for brutal reprisals, [[robbery]], beatings and [[extortion]].  The failure to eliminate abuses and possible war crimes by volunteer battalions risked significantly aggravating tensions in eastern Ukraine and undermining the proclaimed intentions of the new Kyiv regime authorities to strengthen and uphold the rule of law more broadly.  In November 2014, Melnichuk was removed from his postition.

Amnesty International documented dozens of cases of abuses allegedly committed by members of the Aidar battalion in Novoaidar district, Starobilsk, Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, and Shchastya between late June and late August 2015.  Typically, the fighters abducted local men, often businessmen or farmers, whom they accused of collaborating with the Donbas people's militias and held in makeshift detention facilities before either releasing them or handing them over to the Security Service of Ukraine.  In nearly all cases documented by Amnesty International the victims were subjected to beatings at the moment of capture and/or during interrogations, and either had to pay ransom for their release, or had possessions, including money, cars, telephones, and other valuables seized by the battalion members. Many of the witnesses and victims approached by Amnesty International were reluctant to share details of the incidents, fearing retaliation from Aidar battalion members.  

Amnesty International documented dozens of cases of abuses allegedly committed by members of the Aidar battalion in Novoaidar district, Starobilsk, Severodonetsk, Lysychansk, and Shchastya between late June and late August 2015.  Typically, the fighters abducted local men, often businessmen or farmers, whom they accused of collaborating with the Donbas people's militias and held in makeshift detention facilities before either releasing them or handing them over to the Security Service of Ukraine.  In nearly all cases documented by Amnesty International the victims were subjected to beatings at the moment of capture and/or during interrogations, and either had to pay ransom for their release, or had possessions, including money, cars, telephones, and other valuables seized by the battalion members. Many of the witnesses and victims approached by Amnesty International were reluctant to share details of the incidents, fearing retaliation from Aidar battalion members.  

Police and military authorities in Severodonetsk informed Amnesty International that there were 38 criminal cases opened in 2015 into actions allegedly committed by the members of the Aidar battalion.  Reports on this spate of [[crime]]s were submitted up the line to the Ministries of Defense and Interior, without tangible result. Local police told Amnesty International that they were well aware of the widespread criminal actions by the Aidar members but were unable to do anything beyond the registration of criminal cases.  A high-ranking military official in the area informed Amnesty International that after receiving his reports the Ministry of Defense sent two commissions in early August 2015 to inspect the Aidar battalion.  

Police and military authorities in Severodonetsk informed Amnesty International that there were 38 criminal cases already opened by mid 2015 into actions allegedly committed by the members of the Aidar battalion.  Reports on this spate of [[crime]]s were submitted up the line to the Ministries of Defense and Interior, without tangible result. Local police told Amnesty International that they were well aware of the widespread criminal actions by the Aidar members but were unable to do anything beyond the registration of criminal cases.  A high-ranking military official in the area informed Amnesty International that after receiving his reports the Ministry of Defense sent two commissions in early August 2015 to inspect the Aidar battalion.  

Only in 2015, more than a hundred criminal cases were initiated against representatives of the battalion. So, in August 2015, Aidar's men kidnapped four miners. One of them at the time of abduction was sick with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. The militants beat the man, robbed him and kept him in a makeshift prison for some time. In July of the same year, neo-Nazis kidnapped several Lugfansk policemen. Victims also testify to [[sexual]] [[violence]] against the [[female]] population. Several similar facts were documented in 2015 and 2016.

Only in 2015, more than a hundred criminal cases were initiated against representatives of the battalion. So, in August 2015, Aidar's men kidnapped four miners. One of them at the time of abduction was sick with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. The militants beat the man, robbed him and kept him in a makeshift prison for some time. In July of the same year, neo-Nazis kidnapped several Lugfansk policemen. Victims also testify to [[sexual]] [[violence]] against the [[female]] population. Several similar facts were documented in 2015 and 2016.