In the early part of the war, Germans crossed the front line (or were dropped as paratroopers) and disguised themselves as Red Army, attempting to create confusion and panic.
Writers have referred to them as "extermination battalions" or "destroyer battalions," and AI likes to translate the Russian term as "fighter battalions." Different from the punishment battalions and blocking detachments.
The extermination battalions were created in 1941, originally to combat the Germans operating in the Soviet rear.
NKVD Order 00804 on June 25, 1941 established them and defined their purpose, at least early in the war.
Order of the NKVD of the USSR No. 00804
Chris Bellamy has a couple mentions of them in
Absolute War under "destroyer battalions." Some highlights from his book:
- If the front moved and eventually encompassed the EBs, the EBs could become partisans. They were armed by the Soviets with German weapons.
- In the Battle of Moscow, they helped control panic or looting in the city.
- They weren't quite partisans, but had contact with them and could become or join partisan groups. They weren't quite military, but had military functions. They weren't quite SMERSH, but were also looking for German spies.
Seems like they performed both combat and internal security functions.
Lots of primary sources here from throughout the war. They were operating everywhere.
Истребительные батальоны