| Unit Name: | 131st Rocket Brigade |
| Dates: | 1960–1993 |
| Country: | (1960–1991) (1992–1993) |
| Branch: | Soviet Army (1960–1991) Russian Ground Forces (1992–1993) |
| Type: | Tactical ballistic missile brigade |
| Command Structure: | Leningrad Military District |
| Garrison: | Luga |
| Decorations: | Order of Suvorov 3rd class |
| Battle Honours: | Rezekne |
The 131st Rocket Brigade was a tactical ballistic missile brigade of the Soviet Army and Russian Ground Forces from 1960 to 1993. Based at Luga, Leningrad Oblast, it was part of the Leningrad Military District.[1] [2] It was formed from an anti-aircraft artillery regiment.[3]
The 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment was part of the 10th Guards Army at the beginning of August 1943, the first time it appears in the Combat composition of the Soviet Army.[4] The regiment remained with the 10th Guards Army for the rest of the war. [5]
The regiment helped capture Rezekne in July 1944 under command of Lieutenant Colonel Viktor Petrovich Kazantsev. For its actions the regiment was awarded the honorific "Rezekne".[6] During World War II, the regiment also received the Order of Suvorov 3rd class. Between 1945 and 1960 it was known as the 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment.The brigade was formed in 1960 in Luga with the Leningrad Military District, apparently from parts of the 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment. Other elements of the regiment became the 59th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade.[7] It included three separate rocket battalions and a technical battery. It was equipped with R-11 Zemlya and R-17 Elbrus tactical ballistic missiles. The brigade was disbanded in 1993.