1st Tank Brigade (Ukraine)

The 1st Tank Brigade "Severia" (Ukrainian: 1-ша окрема танкова Сіверська бригада) is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 1997.[1]

1st Tank Brigade
1-ша окрема танкова Сіверська бригада
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
ActiveAugust 24, 1997 - Today
Country Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Ground Forces
RoleArmored Forces
Part ofOperational Command North
Garrison/HQHoncharivske, Chernihiv Oblast
EngagementsRusso-Ukrainian War
Decorations
For Courage and Bravery
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/1ogtb/
Commanders
Current
commander
Leonid Khoda

History edit

The Brigade is a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that was formed in 1997 from the 292nd Tank Regiment.[1] In 2014, the brigade was deployed to the border with Russia in the Sumy region to protect the route to Kyiv.[2] One battalion was also sent to support mechanized brigades in the Luhansk region, mainly around the Luhansk Airport.[3] In 2015, the brigade supported the 30th Mechanized Brigade in Debaltseve, where they destroyed at least three enemy tanks.[4]

At the onset of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the brigade dispersed in anticipation of the imminent bombardment.[5] Following the bombardment, the unit returned to Chernihiv to respond to Russian vanguard forces.[3] Russian forces attempted to take the city, but were repelled.[4] However, they eventually bypassed the city, resulting in the Siege of Chernihiv.[6] Despite encirclement, the brigade maintained one supply route for communications and resupply.[4] By 31 March 2022, the brigade had successfully defended the city against Russian attacks and the siege was lifted. Surviving elements of the Russian 41st CAA retreated north to Belarus.[2]

The brigade recaptured surrounding Ukrainian towns and the M01 Highway connecting to Kyiv.[7] Following rest and refit in May, elements of the brigade were deployed back to the battle of Donbas in the area of southern Donetsk and Kramatorsk.[8] For its service in Chernihiv, the southern counteroffensive, and the Donbas region, the unit was awarded the recently established honorary award of "For Courage and Bravery" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[9] The president also stated that in six months, more than a thousand warriors of this brigade were awarded state awards.[1]

Structure edit

As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:[4]

  • 1st Tank Brigade Severia, Honcharivske, Chernihiv Oblast
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
    • 1st Tank Battalion
    • 2nd Tank Battalion
    • 3rd Tank Battalion
    • 4th Tank Battalion
    • 1st Mechanized Battalion
    • 1st Rifle Battalion
    • 2nd Rifle Battalion
    • Artillery Group
    • Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Engineer Battalion
    • Logistic Battalion
    • Maintenance Battalion
    • Signal Company
    • Radar Company
    • Medical Company
    • CBRN Protection Company.
    • UAV Strike Company Pegas.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "President: Heroism and grit of our warriors leave no doubt that Ukraine will win". www.ukrinform.net. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  2. ^ a b "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №344/2016" [Ukaz of the President of Ukraine No. 344/2016] (in Ukrainian). President of Ukraine. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "How Ukraine's 1st Tank Brigade Fought A Russian Force Ten Times Its Size—And Won". MSN. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  4. ^ a b c d Axe, David. "A Single Ukrainian Tank Brigade Stands Between The Russian Army And Kyiv". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
  5. ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 569/2006" [Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 569/2006] (in Ukrainian). Press Center of the President of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian President decree №646/2015".
  7. ^ "General Staff: Battles ongoing along border, 20 Russian helicopters land near Kyiv". Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Russia has failed to take any of its major objectives, lost 450 personnel and made 'limited progress', Ministry of Defence says". Sky News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  9. ^ "Ukraine's Best Tank Brigade Has Won The Battle For Chernihiv". Forbes.