Andriy Biletskyi

Founded the Azov Battalion, previously known as the little black men, in 2014, he commanded the liberation of Mariupol 2014 against pro-Russian separatists. He was also prevalent in initiating and commanding operations to liberate the settlement of Shryokyne and several settlements in the Donetsk region in 2015. Biletskyi was prominent in mobilising mass training for civilians before the full-scale invasion; he founded the Azov-SSO unit and began participating in battles to liberate the Kyiv region against Russian forces in early 2022. Biletskyi also helped heavily in the deblocking of Mariupol when it was under siege. In November 2022 and January 2023, he founded the 3rd Assault Brigade and became the commander of Tactical Group “A” in the defense of Bakhmut.