The 34th Assault Battalion “Crazy Pack” (34-й штурмовий батальйон «Шалена зграя» in Ukrainian, Безумная стая in Russian) is a volunteer unit within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, composed primarily of ethnic Chechens. Its formation symbolizes the continuity of the Chechen struggle against Russian imperialism—this time, under the Ukrainian flag.
Origins and Structure
The battalion was established during the early phase of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and has since been formally integrated into the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is not a militia or an informal group—“Crazy Pack” operates as an official unit under Ukrainian military command, with clearly defined operational roles and internal structure.
The commander of the battalion is Kazbek Lechaevich Abdurzakov (call sign “Dzurdzuk”) a seasoned veteran with a background in resistance operatios and diaspora coordination. Kurazov emphasizes discipline, coordination with Ukrainian forces, and the ideological dimension of the Chechen contribution to Ukraine’s defense.
Abdurzakov was born in Chechnya, and graduated from the Petroleum Institute in Grozny. He fought in his homeland during the Second Russo-Chechen War. After the end of active hostilities, he moved to Ukraine, to Khmelnitsky, where he started a business as a coal trader. When unrest broke out in Eastern Ukraine, he joined the Dzhokhar Dudaev Battalion, later forming the 34th Battalion. In 2016, he was appointed representative of the CRI government in exile in Ukraine, a position he held until 2022, when he was replaced by another Chechen fighter in Ukraine, Akhmad Alviyev.
In that capacity Abdurzhakov was one of the organizers of a large demonstration in Kiev called “Ichkeria is alive!” during which a giant ChRI flag was unfurled on Maidan Square.
Insight – Action “Ichkeria is Alive!” (Video – RUS)
Hero of Ukraine
For his merits, on January 15, 2016 he was awarded the non-governmental award “Hero of Ukraine”. At the award ceremony, he said:
Thank you, Ukraine! This is a reward for our entire group, we did everything together. Our enemies called us “crazy”, now the entire Ukrainian army is a “pack of crazy”. Victory is a team game. Today the most brutal army on the planet has been stopped, but the Earth is still not free from these orcs. There is no doubt about our victory, but we must achieve it! This country and these people deserve a better life!
Insight – Kazbek Adurkhazov awarded “Hero of Ukraine” (RUS)
Name and Identity
The name “Crazy Pack” (Шалена зграя) was reportedly chosen by the fighters themselves. It evokes the imagery of a fearless and cohesive combat group, willing to take on high-risk missions with audacity and unity. According to both Ukrainian and Russian sources, the name reflects their aggressive combat posture and reputation for unconventional warfare.
The unit combines Chechen symbolism—such as Ichkerian emblems or colors—with Ukrainian flags and insignia, reinforcing the fusion of national identities in a common struggle against a shared enemy.
Composition and Recruitment
Most fighters come from the Chechen diaspora in Europe and Turkey, though some have arrived directly from Ukraine or the North Caucasus. Many members are veterans of the First and Second Chechen Wars, and some have also fought in Syria, gaining experience in urban combat and guerrilla tactics.
In addition to ethnic Chechens, the battalion reportedly includes Azeri volunteers and Ukrainians of Tatar or Caucasian origin, making it a diverse and ideologically unified unit.
Operational History
Although detailed operational records remain classified, several elements of the battalion’s combat history are now known or partially confirmed through open-source intelligence and Ukrainian-language reporting:
- 2022 (Spring–Autumn): Formation and initial deployment
The battalion was formed as part of the broader effort to integrate foreign volunteers and diaspora-based fighters into formal Ukrainian military structures. Early training reportedly took place in central Ukraine. - Late 2022 – Early 2023: Southern Front Activity
According to military channels and social media footage, elements of the Crazy Pack were active in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, especially in assault and sabotage missions ahead of Ukrainian counteroffensives. - 2023–2024: Expansion and Integration
The battalion was fully incorporated into the 57th Motorized Brigade. Internal restructuring created platoons dedicated to reconnaissance, demolition, and medical evacuation, increasing the unit’s tactical versatility. - 2024: Donetsk Engagements and Night Raids
Reports suggest the unit participated in operations near Avdiivka and Bakhmut, conducting night infiltration missions and acting as forward observers for artillery units. The battalion’s effectiveness in urban terrain was repeatedly praised by Ukrainian officers.
Despite limited official reports, the battalion has gained a reputation for discipline, fearlessness, and interoperability with other Ukrainian units. It maintains close ties with other Chechen formations, including the Dzhokhar Dudayev and Sheikh Mansur battalions.
Political and Symbolic Significance
For its members, the war in Ukraine is a continuation of the Chechen people’s unfinished fight for sovereignty. Many view their participation as a way to delegitimize Ramzan Kadyrov’s pro-Russian regime and restore the spirit of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
Their fight is not only military but political: by supporting Ukraine, they affirm their vision of a free Caucasus, linked to a free Ukraine and a Europe resistant to imperial expansion.
Recognition and International Standing
The battalion is one of the few foreign-led units to be officially recognized within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, granting its members formal status and rights. It also benefits from support networks in Europe, especially among Chechen diaspora organizations.
In Ukraine, the unit is widely seen as a symbol of international solidarity, and its fighters are regarded with respect both for their bravery and their principled stand against tyranny.
Conclusion
The 34th Assault Battalion “Crazy Pack” is a living embodiment of resistance—Chechen, Ukrainian, and universal. Its journey from the mountains of Ichkeria to the fields of Ukraine is a story of defiance, dignity, and unbreakable will. As long as it fights, the dream of a free Chechnya, and a free Ukraine, remains alive.
Analytical Profile – 34th Assault Battalion “Crazy Pack”
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | 34th Assault Battalion “Crazy Pack” (34-й штурмовий батальйон «Шалена зграя») |
| Native Name (RU) | 34-й штурмовой батальон «Безумная стая» |
| Affiliation | Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) |
| Brigade | 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade |
| Commander | Kazbek Kurazov |
| Established | 2022, after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine |
| Ethnic Composition | Primarily Chechen (diaspora), with Azerbaijani and Ukrainian members |
| Type | Assault, sabotage, and reconnaissance unit |
| Structure | Assault Platoon, Recon Unit, Sabotage Team, Medical Unit, Logistics |
| Main Areas of Operation | Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk (Avdiivka, Bakhmut) |
| Combat Style | Night raids, urban warfare, guerrilla-style assault |
| Legal Status | Officially integrated into the AFU with formal military status |
| Symbolism | Combines Ukrainian and Chechen (Ichkerian) symbols |
| Ideological Mission | Anti-imperialism, continuation of the Ichkerian resistance |
| Relations with Other Units | Close ties with Dzhokhar Dudayev and Sheikh Mansur Battalions |
| Languages Spoken | Chechen, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish |
| Support Networks | Chechen diaspora in Europe and Turkey, Ukrainian civil society |
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