Batal Bigvava, commander of the 9th assault company of the Russian-led “Pyatnashka” international brigade, had fought for a prolonged period in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, including around Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar.
Bigvava, whose call sign was “Balu,” was reported killed in Ukraine, according to pro-war Russian Telegram channels.
Bigvava was a native of Abkhazia, a Russia-occupied part of Georgia. Russian accounts claim he spent significant time fighting against Ukraine in the Donetsk region.
He reportedly took part in battles near Avdiivka, Chasiv Yar, in Russia’s Kursk region, and on the Kostiantynivka axis.
“He was wounded multiple times, but each time, as soon as he recovered, he returned to the ranks. He was always with his fighters at the very front. Six wounds speak eloquently to that,” pro-war correspondents wrote.
A Ukrainian officer and blogger, Anatolii Shtefan, also confirmed the killing. “The commander of the Pyatnashka assault company, Batal Bigvava, has been successfully demobilized,” he wrote on Telegram.
Since February 2025, Bigvava has been listed on the Myrotvorets website as a war criminal, a foreign mercenary, and an accomplice to Russia’s crimes against Ukraine and its citizens.
“As part of the Russian fascist occupation forces, he took part in hostilities against Ukraine and its citizens,” the entry states.
He reportedly served in the Russian army with the rank of private and led a platoon, although pro-war “Z” channels claim he commanded the 9th assault company of Pyatnashka.
He was linked to a military unit within the 3rd rifle battalion of the 87th separate rifle regiment of the 1st Army Corps of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
