[8][9] The unit's identity was heavily inspired by the Soviet and Russian VDV, and its soldiers regularly wore blue berets and telnyashkas for symbolic association with elite forces.

[7] One of its units, the Pyatnashka battalion (the fifteeners), is named after the first 15 volunteers in Donetsk, which included its leader Akhra Avidzba, a veteran of the Abkhazian conflict.

The Pyatnashka battalion defended a checkpoint in Staronavtiv street just south of the Donetsk International Airport, where heavy fighting was ongoing.

[13] The unit was heavily involved in the battle of Kurakhove along with the 5th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade and received an official commendation from the Russian Minister of Defence for the capture of the city.

The 100th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade defended the area of the front line going from Olenivka to Donetsk International Airport.