33rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine) explained

Unit Name:	33rd Mechanized Brigade
Native Name:	Ukrainian: 33-тя окрема механізована бригада
Dates:	April 1, 2016 - present
Country:
Role:	Mechanized Infantry
Motto:	Forward to Victory
Battles:	Russo-Ukrainian WarRussian Invasion of Ukraine^[1] 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive^[2] Battle of Mala Tokmachka
Website:	https://www.facebook.com/33OMBr
Commander1:	Col. Ivan Voitenko
Identification Symbol Label:	Old sleeve patch of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade (Pre September 2023)

The 33rd Mechanized Brigade is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2016.^[3]

History

The 33rd Mechanized Brigade, which was originally formed in April 2016 as a part of the Ukrainian Reserve Corps, had been demobilized and essentially existed only on paper for a period of time.^[4] However, the brigade has been reactivated and is making a comeback.^[5] As a symbol of this reactivation, the unit has been given new insignia that features a wolf, which is said to represent the Brigade. Later they received a new insignia that features a sword with a skull on it.^[6]

Structure

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

• 33rd Mechanized Brigade,
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
  • 1st Mechanized Battalion
  • 2nd Mechanized Battalion
  • 3rd Mechanized Battalion
  • Tank Battalion
  • Artillery Group
  • Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
  • Reconnaissance Company
  • "Sky Monsters" UAV Company. FPV drops and kamikaze drones.
  • Engineer Battalion
  • Logistic Battalion
  • Signal Company
  • Maintenance Battalion
  • Radar Company
  • Medical Company
  • Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) Protection Company

References

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/06/15/one-of-ukraines-meanest-mechanized-brigades-just-joined-the-southern-counteroffensive/?sh=5eb9fd714b36
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/06/15/one-of-ukraines-meanest-mechanized-brigades-just-joined-the-southern-counteroffensive/?sh=5eb9fd714b36
3. Web site: 2016-10-31 . Новостворена бригада ЗСУ завершує вишкіл на Рівненщині — 5 канал . 2023-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161031030803/http://www.5.ua/video/novostvorena-bryhada-zsu-zavershuie-vyshkil-na-rivnenshchyni-110468.html . 2016-10-31 .
4. Web site: прапори шеврони 33-тя окрема механізована бригада 33 ОМБр . 2023-03-28 . kapterka.com.ua . uk.
5. Web site: 4 April 2016 . Новостворена бригада ЗСУ завершує вишкіл на Рівненщині . 5.ua.
6. Web site: Axe . David . Ukraine’s 33rd Mechanized Brigade Has Some Of The Country’s Best Tanks—But No Fighting Vehicles To Support Them . 2024-06-13 . Forbes . en.