On July 29, 2022, at a meeting with the leaders of the Chechen volunteers in Kyiv, Akhmed Zakayev announced the creation of a new Chechen armed formation on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4][5]
This formation was named OBON (Separate Special Purpose Battalion) and included in the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine.[5] According to Zakayev himself, as the battalion becomes bigger, it will be transformed into a "Separate Special Purpose Brigade" as part of the International Legion.[6][7]
The unit is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abroad, headed by Akhmed Zakayev. It includes fighters from among the representatives of the Chechen nationality who serve in the Ukrainian army, as well as volunteers from the Chechen diaspora in Europe and abroad.[5]
In the beginning of August 2022, the battalion took part in the battles in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.[9] In August–September 2022, the battalion has taken part in the Ukrainian counteroffensive of the southern regions.[10] On May 13, 2023 member of the battalion Hussein Dzhambetov defected to the Russian side.[11] In September 2023, the unit is fighting on the Verbove-Novopokrovka front.[citation needed]