Karelian National Battalion

The Karelian National Battalion (Карельський національний батальйон; Karjalan Kansallini Pataljona) is a formation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, functioning as a component of the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine. The battalion is a voluntary military unit that consists mainly of ethnic Karelians and other Baltic-Finnic peoples. Its primary objective is to achieve the independence of the Republic of Karelia from Russia.

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.

On 19 January 2023, most likely in reaction to the need for international volunteers, 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. 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. 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". The Karelian National Battalion also strives to promote the independence of other Finno-Ugric peoples from Russia.

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 achieve Karelian independence from the Russian Federation, as well as a desire to contribute to the victory over the so-called "terrorist regime" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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. Ukki Väinämöinen was a Karelian ideological leader known for his role in the East Karelian uprising against Bolshevik Russia in the years 1921–1922.

Official Insignia
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, 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.

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.

Unofficial Insignia
The emblem was displayed in the distinctive colors of Karelia. Following the announcement of the unit, 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 an unofficial variant of the insignia that was displayed in a roundel, with the name of the battalion in Finnish at the top, and the name in Russian on the bottom.

Activities and Operations
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.".

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.

Reportedly, by 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.

The Ukrainian magazine Focus claimed that 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 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.

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 activities perceived as hindering "Russia's actions" may escalate resulting in a sentence of up to 20 years.

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. The same sticker was also showcased on an Estonian website called "Koiduaeg," calling itself a "national news and opinions portal.". According to the source, the sticker read "A new day has dawned. Karelia is rising, her own battalions are marching in line". Moreover, the sticker also featured the insignia of the Russian Volunteer Corps, a paramilitary unit consisting of Russian citizens and has been deemed as a far-right organisation  - 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.

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 commonly been subjected to allegations of neo-Nazism. 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. The unit has also been photographed somewhere in Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast holding up an older variation of a flag belonging to the Azov Battalion.

Affiliation with the Russian Volunteer Corps
The battalion is most likely incorporated within the structure of the Russian Volunteer Corps, similar to the Polish and German Volunteer Corps which have emerged alongside it in its operations and also helped to actively train and promote their units. The unit has made publications, showing its affiliation with the Russian Volunteer Corps through media such as stickers and brochures.

On 9 November 2023, the Russian Volunteer Corps was involved in the assassination of a Federal Security Service Lieutenant Colonel in Bryansk Oblast. The Karelian National Battalion posted on Telegram in late January 2024 stating that they had also been involved in the assassination.

On 18 January 2024, the Russian Volunteer Corps conducted a raid within Bryansk Oblast, located in Russia. The unit destroyed a Russian Ural military truck carrying personnel, the news was confirmed by a non-verified source in the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence Service. It was alleged by the battalion itself on Telegram that volunteers of the unit also participated in the raid.

Russian invasion of Ukraine
Recruitment of the unit begun in early January 2023, with a criterion for volunteers being outlined by the unit on their Telegram channel. 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 Ingria has gained increased prominence - particularly directed towards freeing Karelia from what is perceived as Russian imperialism to them. 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. The Ingrian Finnish flag is also often seen in the hands of activists.

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.".

Combat Operations
The Karelian National Battalion has engaged in multiple combat operations, the Karelian National Battalion has performed incursions into Kursk Oblast and Belgorod Oblast alongside the Russian Volunteer Corps.