5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade
| 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade (2024 – present) 5th Tank Brigade (2016 – 2022, 2023 – 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: 5-та окрема танкова бригада | |
| File:5th Tank Brigade.png 5th Tank Brigade shoulder sleeve patch | |
| Active | 2016 – 2022 2023 – present |
| Country | File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine |
| Branch | File:Ensign of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.svg Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Type | File:БЗ МВ.svg Mechanized Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Operational Command South[1] File:9th Army Corps.png 9th Army Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Kamianka-Buzka, Lviv Oblast |
| Equipment | T-72[2][3] Leopard 1A5 |
| Engagements | |
The 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 5-та окрема танкова бригада) is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[4]
History
[edit | edit source]Formation
[edit | edit source]The brigade was formed in 2016, initially equipped with 30 T-72 tanks.[2][4] From late March to early April, the brigade took part in large scale exercises of Operational Command South, held in Kherson Oblast. The goal of the exercise was to improve elements of overall defense of the region. At the end of the exercise it was announced that the brigade would be stationed close to the border with Russian-controlled Crimea.[1]
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
[edit | edit source]When on 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, the unit was deployed to the southwestern part of the country near Odesa.[2] As of May, it was still in the Odesa area.[5]
In February 2022, the brigade was re-created in Kryvyi Rih to reinforce Ukrainian defense. However, due to heavy losses in other armored and mechanized brigades, tanks and manpower were used to replenish already existing units and the brigade ceased to exist again. David Axe writing for Forbes, suggested that the brigade was inactive in August 2022.[6][7]
However, the brigade was mentioned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his 200 day of war speech on 11 September 2022.[8]
2023
[edit | edit source]In March 2023, the brigade has been reactivated and is currently at the stage of formation. In July 2023, the unit received a new insignia and became a part of the 10th Army Corps. It then participated the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[9]
2024
[edit | edit source]In late 2024, the brigade was reformed into the 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade.[10]
Structure
[edit | edit source]As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:[4][2]
- Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- 1st Tank Battalion
- 2nd Tank Battalion
- 3rd Tank Battalion
- Mechanized Infantry Battalion
- Artillery Group
- Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery
- Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S3 Akatsiya)
- Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S1 Gvozdika)
- Rocket Artillery Battalion (BM-21 Grad)
- Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Artillery Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Combat Engineer Battalion
- Logistic Battalion
- Maintenance Battalion
- Signal Company
- Radar Company
- Medical Company
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Protection Company (CBRN defense)
- Brigade Band
Past commanders
[edit | edit source]- Coronel Melnyk
References
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- Heavy mechanized brigades of Ukraine
- Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Military units and formations of Ukraine in the war in Donbas
- Military units and formations established in 2016
- Military units and formations disestablished in 2022
- Military units and formations established in 2023