5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade

The 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 5-та окрема танкова бригада) is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.^[4]

5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade (2024 – present) 5th Tank Brigade (2016 – 2022, 2023 – 2024)
Ukrainian: 5-та окрема танкова бригада
5th Tank Brigade shoulder sleeve patch
Active	2016 – 2022 2023 – present
Country	Ukraine
Branch	Ukrainian Ground Forces
Type	Mechanized Infantry
Size	Brigade
Part of	Operational Command South[1]
Garrison/HQ	Kamianka-Buzka, Lviv Oblast
Equipment	T-72[2][3] Leopard 1A5
Engagements	War in Donbas Joint Forces Operation Russian invasion of Ukraine Battle of Davydiv Brid 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive

History

Formation

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

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]

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][failed verification]}

In late 2024, the brigade was reformed into the 5th Heavy Mechanized Brigade.^[10]

Structure

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

• Coronel Melnyk