Tsar's Wolves
| Tsar’s Wolves | |
|---|---|
| Царские волки | |
 Sleeve patch of the Unit | |
| Active | 2014 – today |
| Country |  Russia |
| Role | Militia |
| Engagements | War in Donbas (2014–2022) 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
The Tsar's Wolves (Russian: Царские волки) (alternatively Czar's Wolves) is a Pro-Russian Militia and Mercenary Paramilitary notable for its ties to former Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin.[1][2]
History
The group claims to have named themselves after various Russian militias, with no affiliation to one other, that fought in the Yugoslav Wars and the Transnistria War. The group was formed during the War in the Donbas seeing service in the Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast. The unit has been described as "experienced military advisers and experts" and provide "military-technical support" for the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.[1] During the war they operated closely with the 1st Army Corps training them to use smart mortar sights.[3] The group's self stated goal is to restore the glory of the Russian Empire.[4]
Rogozin's takeover
On November 11, 2022, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin announced that he is the new leader of the group and will be providing “technical assistance” to the Russian Armed Forces.[1] During the war the group has operated a group of unmanned aerial vehicle and other new advanced technologies. Preforming field tests for new Russian military advancements and technologies, mostly through trial by fire, with Rogozin being quoted as "What better conditions to test weapons than in a real war." On December 21, Rogozin was shot and wounded during a three month stint on the Donetsk front-line.[4][5][6] Russian state news agency TASS stated Rogozin was wounded in a strike by a French manufactured CAESAR self-propelled howitzer.[7]
Rogozin and the Tsar's Wolves have been actively mocked by Yevgeny Prigozhin leader of the fellow mercenary company the Wagner Group. Prigozhin claims that Rogozin is simply putting on a tough-guy persona to regain clout in the Russian government, and to recover from his sacking as head of Roscosmos.[8]
During the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive the unit saw combat in the vicinity of Lobkove, where it was unable to stop a Ukrainian advance to take the village.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "Former Russian space boss leads 'Tsar Wolves' in Donbass". www.azerbaycan24.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Latham, Brian. "Wagner Isn't the Only Proxy Company Waging the Kremlin's Widening World War – It's Just the Biggest". Byline Times. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Created by Rogozin, the group "Tsars Wolves" is testing weapons on the front line". soldat.pro. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Russian 'Tsar's Wolves' group tests weapons in Ukraine". www.fikrikadim.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Farrell, Francis. "Ex-Roscosmos head Rogozin, Donetsk proxy leader injured in possible targeted strike". Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ Melkozerova, Veronika. "Russia's notorious former space chief Rogozin wounded in shelling". Politico. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ "Former Roscosmos chief Rogozin wounded in Donetsk, his life is out of danger — aide". TASS. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Berger, Eric. "Dmitry Rogozin may be in some trouble in Russia". Ars Technica. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ Mappes, Grace; Wolkov, Nicole; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Barros, George; Clark, Mason. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 11, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
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