| Unit Name: | 153rd Separate Mechanized Brigade |
| Native Name: | Ukrainian: 153 окрема механізована бригада<br>153 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada |
| Dates: | October 2023[1] [2] - present |
| Type: | Mechanized Infantry |
| Size: | Brigade |
| Command Structure: | Operational Command North[3] |
| Battles: | |
| Motto: | "The Power of the Unconquered" |
| Website: | Official Facebook page |
| Current Commander: | Andriy Sotnichenko[5] |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Field Insignia |
The 153rd Separate Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 153 окрема механізована бригада|translit=153 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada), is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2023. Five additional mechanized brigades were created in preparation of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2024 in response to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. The insignia, motto, and creation of the brigade were officially publicized and revealed in December 2023.[6]
Due to a lack of vehicles the brigade got reclassified as an infantry brigade in April 2024[3] On 13 May 2024 the 153rd returned to the designation as a mechanized brigade and also revealed new unit insignia.[7]
The brigade was announced in mid-October 2023, alongside the creation of five new mechanized brigades as part of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[8] By 17 October 2023, it was reported that the brigade was in the process of formation.[9]
On 27 December 2023, information on the creation of the 153rd Mechanized Brigade was publicized. Focus.ua reported that the unit received its insignia, a sleeve emblem, and a slogan.[10] The core of the brigade was reportedly Nazariya Kishak's machine gun platoon from the 72nd Mechanized Brigade - named after the Black Zaporozhians.[11]
The brigade is reportedly drawing its cadre of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers from existing brigades that are already serving on the frontline in Ukraine. It is also expected to fill out the rest of its ranks, approximately 2,000 placements, with new recruits. The unit is expected to participate in combat actions in the following year, as well as the anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2024.[12] As well as their potential participation in the upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive in the following year, it was reported that the 153rd Mechanized Brigade could strengthen Ukrainian defenses across the frontline - predominantly in eastern Ukraine to ensure the relief and rotation for depleted units deployed there.[13]
In an article by Forbes, it is unclear where the brigade will acquire its equipment and vehicles that would consider itself as a mechanized brigade - rather than a light infantry brigade.[14] It was also mentioned that the brigade was expected to most probably not receive any modern fighting vehicles from foreign aid - such as KTO Rosomak "Wolverine's" from Poland. Instead, it was reported that the unit would most probably have to make do with old, vulnerable, and plentiful vehicles stockpiled in the Ukrainian Armed Force's arsenal - composed of BMPs or MT-LB armored tractors and trucks.[15]
The 153rd Separate Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 153 окрема механізована бригада|translit=153 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada) became an infantry brigade on 2 April 2024 due to a shortage of vehicles for the newly created brigades - leading to the Ukrainian command to rethink plans. After this, the unit became officially known, until 13 May 2024, as the 153rd Separate Infantry Brigade (Ukrainian: 153 окрема піхотна бригада|translit=153 okrema pіhotna bryhada).
The designation of the unit as an infantry brigade was lifted on 13 May 2024, when publications by the unit were made revealing that it had returned to the designation as a mechanized brigade.[16] Alongside this, the unit also received a new insignia on 16 May 2024, additionally confirming the designation of the unit as a mechanised brigade.[17]
The 153rd Mechanized Brigade was reported to be formed in anticipation of a potential Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2024, as well as to bolster Ukrainian defenses in eastern Ukraine to relieve depleted units deployed there.[18] [19] The command of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, presented the new 153rd Mechanized Brigade as a subordinate to the Northern Operational Command.[20]
The unit between October and April underwent training and integration into the Ukrainian Ground Forces, undergoing heavy infantry training.
On 27 May 2024 it was published by the brigade that it had engaged in combat actions in the Kharkiv direction of the frontline, with a platoon of soldiers from the brigade partaking in the 2024 Kharkiv offensive.[4] There was visual confirmation of a vehicle loss that was carried out by the brigade.[4]
As of December 2023, the structure of the brigade is as follows: