21st Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)
| 21st Mechanized Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 21-ша окрема механізована бригада | |
| Active | 28 February 2023 |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Branch | Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Type | Brigade |
| Role | Mechanized Infantry |
| Part of | |
| Garrison/HQ | Podilsk, Odesa Oblast |
| Motto | Always Free |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | For Courage and Bravery |
| Website | Official Facebook page |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Yaroslav Tarasenko |
| Insignia | |
| Old insignia | |
The 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade (MUN A4689) is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
History
On 11 June 2023, during the 2023 Ukrainian offensive, it was reported that elements of the Brigade had taken part in an assault near Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region involving German-made Leopard 2 tanks.[1]
On 6 December 2024, armed forces day, the battle flag was presented to the unit by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[2]
The unit took part in combat in the eastern Bakhmut and north-eastern Kupyansk sectors. Later it thought at the Kharkiv front. The brigade was also one of the elements that operated in Russian territory during the Kursk campaign.[3][4][5]
On 23 August 2025 the unit was awarded the honorary award For Courage and Bravery by the President.[6]
Structure
21st Mechanized Brigade
- Headquarters
- 34th Rifle Battalion
- 38th Rifle Battalion
- 408th Rifle Battalion
- 411th Rifle Battalion
- 1st Mechanized Battalion
- 2nd Mechanized Battalion
- 3rd Mechanized Battalion
- Tank Battalion
- Falcon Battalion (UAV)
- Artillery Group
- Artillery Group Headquaters
- 1st Artillery Battalion
- 2nd Artillery Battalion
- Rocket Artillery Battalion
- Anti-Tank Battalion
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Engineer Battalion
- Logistic Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Maintenance Company
- Signal Company
- Radar Company
- Medical Company
- CBRN Company
- Shkval Company[7]
Equipment
The Brigade is equipped with western donated tanks and IFVs.[8][3]
| Type | Image | Origin | Number | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armored Fighting Vehicles | |||||
| CV-90 | Sweden | ? | Donated by Sweden | ||
| Rosomak | Poland | ? | Donated by Poland | ||
| Tanks | |||||
| Stridsvagn 122 | Sweden | ? | Donated by Sweden | ||
| Leopard 2A6 | Germany | ? | Donated by Germany and Portugal | ||
Commanders
- Colonel Pavel Iltsiv (As of 08.2024)[9]
- Colonel Andriy Kapkovsky (—26 June 2025)[10]
- Colonel Octavian Botnar (June 2025—)[11]
References
- ^ Lovett, Ian; Walker, Marcus; Luxmoore, Matthew (11 June 2023). "Ukraine's Offensive Begins With Ground Gained, Tanks Lost". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
"There were more of them than we expected," said a 35-year-old platoon commander with Ukraine's 21st Mechanized Brigade, who took part in an assault near Orikhiv in the southern Zaporizhzhia region... A tank mechanic with the Ukrainian 21st brigade said further tanks had sustained significant damage but had been safely removed from the battlefield, including at least one that was towed out... The platoon commander with the 21st brigade said the Leopards were performing well, even though a few had been lost.
- ^ "Volodymyr Zelenskyy Congratulated Defenders on Ukraine's Armed Forces Day". President of Ukraine. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Powerful CV-90 Fighting Vehicles to Be Beefed Up on Front Line". Kyiv Post. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Kushnikov, Vadim (28 October 2024). "47th Brigade Overrun New Russian Positions in Kursk Oblast". Мілітарний. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Ukraine's Kursk Offensive 2025". Futura Doctrina. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №632/2025". President of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 23 August 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "21st Mechanized Brigade". Military Land. 21 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Why Ukraine's 21st Brigade Calls the Swedish CV90 a "Beast": Survivability, Speed and Suppressive Fire". United24. 27 October 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Сьогодні ми відзначаємо головне державне свято нашої країни — День незалежності". Facebook (in Ukrainian). 24 August 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Дорогі побратими та посестри!". Facebook (in Ukrainian). 26 June 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Мороз — «айтішникам», Октавіан — «шведам»: у двох одеських бригадах Збройних сил поміняли командирів". Dumskaya (in Ukrainian). 10 July 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.