(+ noteworthy) |
My very best wishes (talk | contribs) (I guess a compromise version like that should work) |
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| awards = [[Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic]]<br>[[Hero of the Russian Federation]] |
| awards = [[Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic]]<br>[[Hero of the Russian Federation]] |
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'''Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga'''<ref name="wire">{{cite news|title=Separatist known as Vokha will become new commander of the Sparta Battalion|url=http://uawire.org/news/separatist-with-a-call-sign-vokha-will-become-a-new-commander-of-the-sparta-battalion|work=UA Wire|date=24 October 2016|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> ({{Lang-ru|Владимир Артёмович Жога}}, {{Lang-uk|Володимир Артемович Жога}}; 26 May 1993 – 5 March 2022), also known by his ''[[nom de guerre]]'' '''Vokha''' ({{lang-ru|Воха}}),<ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda">{{Cite web |date=5 March 2022 |title=Leader of so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" killed in action near Volnovakha |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/5/7328594/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |language=en}}</ref> was a [[Russians in Ukraine|Russian-Ukrainian]] separatist who was the commander of the [[Sparta Battalion]], a [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist force]] that is involved in the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]. He was |
'''Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga'''<ref name="wire">{{cite news|title=Separatist known as Vokha will become new commander of the Sparta Battalion|url=http://uawire.org/news/separatist-with-a-call-sign-vokha-will-become-a-new-commander-of-the-sparta-battalion|work=UA Wire|date=24 October 2016|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> ({{Lang-ru|Владимир Артёмович Жога}}, {{Lang-uk|Володимир Артемович Жога}}; 26 May 1993 – 5 March 2022), also known by his ''[[nom de guerre]]'' '''Vokha''' ({{lang-ru|Воха}}),<ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda">{{Cite web |date=5 March 2022 |title=Leader of so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" killed in action near Volnovakha |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/5/7328594/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |language=en}}</ref> was a [[Russians in Ukraine|Russian-Ukrainian]] separatist<ref>[https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2022/03/attack-on-kyiv-remains-stalled-but-other-cities-are-suffering-under-russian-occupation.html]</ref><ref>[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-commanders-killed-ukraine-invasion-23360033]</ref> who was the commander of the [[Sparta Battalion]], a [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist force]] that is involved in the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]. He was described as neo-Nazi and known for brutally torturing and murdering Ukrainian POWs. For his services to Russia he was awarded the title “Hero of the Russian Federation” by [[Vladimir Putin]] posthumously.<ref>[https://meaww.com/vladimir-zhoga-russian-neo-nazi-warlord-shot-dead-ukraine]</ref> |
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== Biography == |
== Biography == |
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Zhoga described himself as apolitical until the [[Revolution of Dignity]] in 2014; he came to see the events as a "coup" and threat to his home. Within his circle of acquaintances, no one supported the [[Euromaidan]], hardening his views.<ref name="svpressa" /> He still lived in Sloviansk by the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]'s outbreak.<ref name="svpressa" /><ref name="wire" /><ref name="Zhoga">{{Cite web |title="Спарту" возглавил Артем Жога — отец убитого нацистами Героя ДНР |url=https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2022/03/06/spartu-vozglavil-artem-zhoga-otec-ubitogo-nacistami-geroya-dnr |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=EADaily |language=ru}}</ref> In 2014, Zhoga and his father Artem<ref name="Zhoga" /> joined the [[Sparta Battalion]], one of several [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist militias]] which emerged during the [[war in Donbas]]. The Sparta Battalion is regarded as one of the most effective separatist militias, and has been described as being associated with [[neo-Nazism]] in regard to ideology.<ref name="Herold">{{cite news |title=Er wird als russischer Held gefeiert: Neonazi-Warlord stirbt offenbar in der Ukraine |trans-title=He is celebrated as a Russian hero: Neo-Nazi warlord apparently dies in Ukraine |url=https://www.tag24.de/thema/ukraine-konflikt/er-wird-als-russischer-held-gefeiert-neonazi-warlord-stirbt-offenbar-in-der-ukraine-2359945 |author=Michael Herold |work=[[Tag24]] |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022|language=de }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gogarty |first=Conor |date=2022-03-12 |title=Russian commanders killed in Ukraine including 'brutal warlord' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-commanders-killed-ukraine-invasion-23360033 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=WalesOnline |language=en |quote=Guards Colonel Vladimir Zhoga led the Sparta battalion, a neo-Nazi military unit backed by the Kremlin. He was killed last Saturday during battle in the eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakha.}}</ref> The militia is loyal to the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] (DPR), one of the self-proclaimed [[breakaway state]]s located in the [[Donbas]].{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|pp=21, 23}} Zhoga was a close confidant and the personal driver of the Sparta Battalion's commander [[Arsen Pavlov]]<ref name="novorosnews" /><ref name="Zhoga" /><ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda" /> as well as the eventual deputy head of the unit,<ref name="wire" /> while his father Artem rose to [[chief of staff]].<ref name="Zhoga" /> The Sparta Battalion fought in many important battles of the early part of the war in Donbas,{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|p=23}} and Zhoga served with the unit during the [[Siege of Sloviansk]], the [[Second Battle of Donetsk Airport]],<ref name="Chathli" /><ref name="novorosnews" /><ref name="kp" /> and the [[Battle of Ilovaisk]].<ref name="kp" /> He was wounded in combat at Sloviansk, [[Snizhne]],<ref name="novorosnews" /> and Donetsk Airport.<ref name="svpressa" /> |
Zhoga described himself as apolitical until the [[Revolution of Dignity]] in 2014; he came to see the events as a "coup" and threat to his home. Within his circle of acquaintances, no one supported the [[Euromaidan]], hardening his views.<ref name="svpressa" /> He still lived in Sloviansk by the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]'s outbreak.<ref name="svpressa" /><ref name="wire" /><ref name="Zhoga">{{Cite web |title="Спарту" возглавил Артем Жога — отец убитого нацистами Героя ДНР |url=https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2022/03/06/spartu-vozglavil-artem-zhoga-otec-ubitogo-nacistami-geroya-dnr |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=EADaily |language=ru}}</ref> In 2014, Zhoga and his father Artem<ref name="Zhoga" /> joined the [[Sparta Battalion]], one of several [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist militias]] which emerged during the [[war in Donbas]]. The Sparta Battalion is regarded as one of the most effective separatist militias, and has been described as being associated with [[neo-Nazism]] in regard to ideology.<ref name="Herold">{{cite news |title=Er wird als russischer Held gefeiert: Neonazi-Warlord stirbt offenbar in der Ukraine |trans-title=He is celebrated as a Russian hero: Neo-Nazi warlord apparently dies in Ukraine |url=https://www.tag24.de/thema/ukraine-konflikt/er-wird-als-russischer-held-gefeiert-neonazi-warlord-stirbt-offenbar-in-der-ukraine-2359945 |author=Michael Herold |work=[[Tag24]] |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022|language=de }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gogarty |first=Conor |date=2022-03-12 |title=Russian commanders killed in Ukraine including 'brutal warlord' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-commanders-killed-ukraine-invasion-23360033 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=WalesOnline |language=en |quote=Guards Colonel Vladimir Zhoga led the Sparta battalion, a neo-Nazi military unit backed by the Kremlin. He was killed last Saturday during battle in the eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakha.}}</ref> The militia is loyal to the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] (DPR), one of the self-proclaimed [[breakaway state]]s located in the [[Donbas]].{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|pp=21, 23}} Zhoga was a close confidant and the personal driver of the Sparta Battalion's commander [[Arsen Pavlov]]<ref name="novorosnews" /><ref name="Zhoga" /><ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda" /> as well as the eventual deputy head of the unit,<ref name="wire" /> while his father Artem rose to [[chief of staff]].<ref name="Zhoga" /> The Sparta Battalion fought in many important battles of the early part of the war in Donbas,{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|p=23}} and Zhoga served with the unit during the [[Siege of Sloviansk]], the [[Second Battle of Donetsk Airport]],<ref name="Chathli" /><ref name="novorosnews" /><ref name="kp" /> and the [[Battle of Ilovaisk]].<ref name="kp" /> He was wounded in combat at Sloviansk, [[Snizhne]],<ref name="novorosnews" /> and Donetsk Airport.<ref name="svpressa" /> |
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Following Pavlov's assassination in October 2016,{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|pp=23–24}} Zhoga assumed command of the Sparta Battalion<ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda" /> which had grown to 1,000 militants by this point.{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|p=23}} As the militia's leader, he became one of the best-known separatist leaders in Ukraine, and was described as a [[warlord]] by various newspapers.<ref name="Chathli" /><ref name="Herold" /> As part of the Sparta Battalion, Zhoga was accused of [[war crimes]] including |
Following Pavlov's assassination in October 2016,{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|pp=23–24}} Zhoga assumed command of the Sparta Battalion<ref name="Ukrayinska Pravda" /> which had grown to 1,000 militants by this point.{{sfn|Galeotti|2019|p=23}} As the militia's leader, he became one of the best-known separatist leaders in Ukraine, and was described as a [[warlord]] by various newspapers.<ref name="Chathli" /><ref name="Herold" /> As part of the Sparta Battalion, Zhoga was accused of [[war crimes]] including the murder of Ukrainian [[prisoners of war]].<ref name="Chathli" /><ref name="Herold" /> He was eventually promoted to [[colonel]].<ref name="Herold" /> In June 2018, Zhoga had a motorcycle accident; he was injured and his passenger was killed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Під Волновахою ліквідований Воха – наступник Мотороли в батальйоні "Спарта" |url=https://novynarnia.com/2022/03/05/pid-volnovahoyu-likvidovanyj-voha-nastupnyk-motoroly-v-bataljoni-sparta/ |website=novynarnia.com |date=5 March 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220307104218/https://novynarnia.com/2022/03/05/pid-volnovahoyu-likvidovanyj-voha-nastupnyk-motoroly-v-bataljoni-sparta/ | archive-date = 7 March 2022 |language=ru}}</ref> The Ukrainian news site ''Glavcom'' alleged that the accident had been an assassination attempt by a Russian soldier (codenamed "Ermine") who acted as advisor to the Sparta Battalion. The two had reportedly clashed on several occasions, as "Ermine" argued that Zhoga was too young to serve as militia leader.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Преемника "Моторолы" заказал российский куратор (аудиодоказательства) |url=https://glavcom.ua/ru/articles/preemnika-motoroly-zakazal-rossiyskiy-kurator-audiodokazatelstva-515300.html |website=glavcom.ua |date=25 July 2018 |access-date=2 April 2022 |language=ru}}</ref> In contrast, Fashik Donetsky, an anti-separatist blogger from Donetsk, claimed that Zhoga had been drunk during the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=В "Спарте" зреет крупный бунт: дни преемника Моторолы боевика Вохи сочтены - источник |url=https://www.dialog.ua/war/186368_1565439201 |website=dialog.ua |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=2 April 2022 |language=uk}}</ref> |
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Zhoga was killed on 5 March 2022<ref name="Zhoga" /> in combat with the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] during the [[Battle of Volnovakha]] in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |title=Controlling the narrative: Russia tightens grip on media amid war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/8/controlling-narrative-russia-tightens-grip-media-amid-war |work=al Jazeera |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> A pro-Russian source said he died while trying to evacuate civilians.<ref name="Chathli" /> |
Zhoga was killed on 5 March 2022<ref name="Zhoga" /> in combat with the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] during the [[Battle of Volnovakha]] in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |title=Controlling the narrative: Russia tightens grip on media amid war |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/8/controlling-narrative-russia-tightens-grip-media-amid-war |work=al Jazeera |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> A pro-Russian source said he died while trying to evacuate civilians.<ref name="Chathli" /> |
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[[Category:Ukrainian collaborators with Russia]] |
[[Category:Ukrainian collaborators with Russia]] |
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[[Category:Pro-Russian people of the war in Donbas]] |
[[Category:Pro-Russian people of the war in Donbas]] |
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[[Category:Russian neo-Nazis]] |
Revision as of 14:55, 11 May 2022
Vladimir Zhoga | |
---|---|
![]() Zhoga in 2016 | |
Native name | Владимир Артёмович Жога |
Birth name | Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga |
Nickname(s) | "Vokha" |
Born | Donetsk, Ukraine | 26 May 1993
Died | 5 March 2022 Volnovakha, Ukraine | (aged 28)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 2014–2022 |
Rank | Colonel |
Commands held | ![]() |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic Hero of the Russian Federation |
Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga[1] (Russian: Владимир Артёмович Жога, Ukrainian: Володимир Артемович Жога; 26 May 1993 – 5 March 2022), also known by his nom de guerre Vokha (Russian: Воха),[2] was a Russian-Ukrainian separatist[3][4] who was the commander of the Sparta Battalion, a pro-Russian separatist force that is involved in the Russo-Ukrainian War. He was described as neo-Nazi and known for brutally torturing and murdering Ukrainian POWs. For his services to Russia he was awarded the title “Hero of the Russian Federation” by Vladimir Putin posthumously.[5]
Biography
Born in Donetsk,[6] Ukraine, on 26 May 1993,[7][8] Zhoga's family moved to Sloviansk soon after his birth, where he grew up. His parents separated early in his life. When he was fourteen, he started helping out his father, Artem Zhoga, who owned a small business. Until 2014, Zhoga had no interest in enlisting in the military, and instead tried to study at a technical school.[6] He graduated from the Slavic Vocational Art Lyceum as a painter-plasterer.[9]
Zhoga described himself as apolitical until the Revolution of Dignity in 2014; he came to see the events as a "coup" and threat to his home. Within his circle of acquaintances, no one supported the Euromaidan, hardening his views.[6] He still lived in Sloviansk by the Russo-Ukrainian War's outbreak.[6][1][10] In 2014, Zhoga and his father Artem[10] joined the Sparta Battalion, one of several pro-Russian separatist militias which emerged during the war in Donbas. The Sparta Battalion is regarded as one of the most effective separatist militias, and has been described as being associated with neo-Nazism in regard to ideology.[11][12] The militia is loyal to the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), one of the self-proclaimed breakaway states located in the Donbas.[13] Zhoga was a close confidant and the personal driver of the Sparta Battalion's commander Arsen Pavlov[8][10][2] as well as the eventual deputy head of the unit,[1] while his father Artem rose to chief of staff.[10] The Sparta Battalion fought in many important battles of the early part of the war in Donbas,[14] and Zhoga served with the unit during the Siege of Sloviansk, the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport,[7][8][9] and the Battle of Ilovaisk.[9] He was wounded in combat at Sloviansk, Snizhne,[8] and Donetsk Airport.[6]
Following Pavlov's assassination in October 2016,[15] Zhoga assumed command of the Sparta Battalion[2] which had grown to 1,000 militants by this point.[14] As the militia's leader, he became one of the best-known separatist leaders in Ukraine, and was described as a warlord by various newspapers.[7][11] As part of the Sparta Battalion, Zhoga was accused of war crimes including the murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war.[7][11] He was eventually promoted to colonel.[11] In June 2018, Zhoga had a motorcycle accident; he was injured and his passenger was killed.[16] The Ukrainian news site Glavcom alleged that the accident had been an assassination attempt by a Russian soldier (codenamed "Ermine") who acted as advisor to the Sparta Battalion. The two had reportedly clashed on several occasions, as "Ermine" argued that Zhoga was too young to serve as militia leader.[17] In contrast, Fashik Donetsky, an anti-separatist blogger from Donetsk, claimed that Zhoga had been drunk during the incident.[18]
Zhoga was killed on 5 March 2022[10] in combat with the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Battle of Volnovakha in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[19] A pro-Russian source said he died while trying to evacuate civilians.[7]
DPR leader Denis Pushilin posthumously awarded him the title Hero of the Donetsk People's Republic,[7][20] while Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded him the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.[21] Komsomolskaya Pravda war correspondent Alexander Kots wrote a "glowing obituary" for Zhoga which was characterized by Al Jazeera as part of Russian propaganda efforts.[19] Vladimir's father Artem succeeded him as commander of the Sparta Battalion.[10][7]
References
- ^ a b c "Separatist known as Vokha will become new commander of the Sparta Battalion". UA Wire. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "Leader of so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" killed in action near Volnovakha". Ukrayinska Pravda. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ a b c d e "Воха из "Спарты": преемник Моторолы". svpressa.ru (in Russian). 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Meenal Chathli (7 March 2022). "Who was Vladimir Zhoga? Russian 'neo-Nazi' warlord known for his brutality killed in Ukraine". meaww.com. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d ""Воха" продолжит деятельность Моторолы". novynarnia.com (in Russian). 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Преемник Моторолы до АТО работал маляром и мечтал устроиться водителем". KP (in Russian). 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f ""Спарту" возглавил Артем Жога — отец убитого нацистами Героя ДНР". EADaily (in Russian). Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d Michael Herold (7 March 2022). "Er wird als russischer Held gefeiert: Neonazi-Warlord stirbt offenbar in der Ukraine" [He is celebrated as a Russian hero: Neo-Nazi warlord apparently dies in Ukraine]. Tag24 (in German). Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Gogarty, Conor (12 March 2022). "Russian commanders killed in Ukraine including 'brutal warlord'". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
Guards Colonel Vladimir Zhoga led the Sparta battalion, a neo-Nazi military unit backed by the Kremlin. He was killed last Saturday during battle in the eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakha.
- ^ Galeotti 2019, pp. 21, 23.
- ^ a b Galeotti 2019, p. 23.
- ^ Galeotti 2019, pp. 23–24.
- ^ "Під Волновахою ліквідований Воха – наступник Мотороли в батальйоні "Спарта"". novynarnia.com (in Russian). 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Преемника "Моторолы" заказал российский куратор (аудиодоказательства)". glavcom.ua (in Russian). 25 July 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ "В "Спарте" зреет крупный бунт: дни преемника Моторолы боевика Вохи сочтены - источник". dialog.ua (in Ukrainian). 10 August 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Controlling the narrative: Russia tightens grip on media amid war". al Jazeera. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "Ukrainian Forces have Killed the Commander of the Sparta Battalion - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Путин присвоил звание Героя России посмертно командиру батальону "Спарта" Владимиру Жоге". tass.ru (in Russian). 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
Works cited
- Galeotti, Mark (2019). Armies of Russia's War in Ukraine. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781472833440.