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The 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade (Ukrainian: 152 окрема єгерська бригада, romanized: 152 okrema jehersʹka bryhada), is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2023. It was part of the creation of four other brigades to expand the Ukrainian Ground Forces in response to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine and is expected to participate in a potential Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2024.
| 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 152 окрема єгерська бригада 152 okrema jehersʹka bryhada | |
.png) Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | October 2023 – present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Type | Jaeger |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Operational Command North[1] |
| Motto(s) | "There shall be no fear in us" |
| Engagements | |
| Website | Official Facebook page |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Unknown |
On 16 August 2024, the brigade was repurposed as a Jaeger brigade, becoming the fourth brigade of its kind to exist in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.[2]
History
editFormation
edit
The brigade was announced in mid-October 2023, alongside the creation of five new mechanized brigades as part of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, accounting for a five percent expansion of the Ground Forces.[3]
The brigade reportedly drew its cadre of experienced officers and non-commissioned officers from existing brigades that have already served on the frontline in Ukraine. It was also mentioned that the brigade's strength will be filled with 2,000 new recruits.[3] The brigade's purpose was expected to help participate in a Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2024, or possibly against a Russian offensive.[3]
According to Forbes, it is unclear where the brigade will receive its equipment that makes them a mechanized brigade; rather than a glorified infantry or motorized brigade. It was noted that the new brigades may not receive new, modern vehicles but would have to make do with old, vulnerable, Soviet-era equipment.[3] This is evident by the brigade's large amount of BMP-1s in its inventory, lacking heavy vehicles such as tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles; and also using smaller light tactical vehicles such as the MRAP in order to provide mobility for its infantry, commonly seen amongst Ukrainian Jaeger brigades.
Reforms
editThe 152nd Separate Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 152 окрема механізована бригада, romanized: 152 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada) became a jaeger brigade on 16 August 2024.[2] After this, the unit became officially known as the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade (Ukrainian: 152 окрема єгерська бригада, romanized: 152 okrema jehersʹka bryhada), making the brigade the fourth unit of its kind to exist within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, alongside the 13th, 68th, and 71st brigades.[4]
In an article by Forbes, it was reported that Jaeger brigades in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are middleweight infantry. It was mentioned that the brigade is not light enough to be considered an infantry brigade, as they lack tracked vehicles; however, it also is not heavy enough to be regarded as a mechanized brigade due to the fact that they have hundreds of tanks and other fighting vehicles in their arsenal.[4]
Equipment
edit
Small arms
editSimilarly to other brigades formed in the same expansion, the brigade is armed with a variety of small arms. The unit primarily uses older models of the Kalashnikov rifle series, including the AKM, and in limited numbers, the AK-74.[5][6] These rifles have seen various improvements amongst some users, such as better handguards, fitted with foregrips, alongside Western styled butt-stocks to improve accuracy for the user.[7] The unit also use other small arms, including the PKM general-purpose machine gun. Additionally, other publications of the brigade using grenade launchers such as the RPG-7 have been seen alongside mechanized troops.[6]
As of August 2024, the brigade utilizes the following small arms:
- AKM – Soviet/Russian assault rifle
- AK-74 – Soviet/Russian assault rifle
- PKM – Soviet/Russian general-purpose machine gun
- RPG-7 – Soviet/Russian anti-tank, rocket launcher
Vehicles
editThe brigade lacks many heavy vehicles such as tanks, unlike other brigades such as the 150th Mechanized Brigade, and the 154th Mechanized Brigade, two other brigades created alongside the unit in the late 2023 expansion. The unit only have been seen to use a small quantity of infantry fighting vehicles such as the BMP-1, with the brigade having approximately 5+ at their disposal.[8][6]
After being redesignated as a Jaeger brigade on 16 August 2024, the brigade was seen with several MRAP vehicles belonging to the 1st Jaeger Battalion.[9]
As of 16 August 2024, the brigade operates the following vehicles:
Russo-Ukrainian War
editRussian invasion of Ukraine
editThe 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.[3]
Structure
editAs of August 2024, the structure of the brigade is as follows:
- 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade
- Brigade’s Headquarters
- 1st Jaeger Battalion[10]
- 2nd Jaeger Battalion
- 3rd Jaeger Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Artillery Group
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Engineer Battalion
- Logistic Battalion
- Signal Company
- Maintenance Battalion
- Radar Company
- Medical Company
- Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence Protection Company
References
edit- ^ ""Ксена-воїн кличе": в ЗСУ з'явилася нова бригада, що відомо (фото, відео)". focus.ua. December 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "152 окрема єгерська бригада". Facebook. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ a b c d e Axe, David (2023-12-07). "Ukraine Is Forming Five New Mechanized Brigades. Now They Need Vehicles". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ a b Axe, David (2022-12-26). "The Ukrainian Army's Jaeger Brigades Are Its Middleweight Forest Troops". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ a b c "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "152 окрема єгерська бригада". Facebook. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Перший єгерський батальйон 152 окремої єгерської бригади вітає з Днем Державного Прапора України!🇺🇦 Нехай цей символ свободи та Незалежності завжди..." By 152 окрема єгерська бригадаFacebook. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "Перший єгерський батальйон 152 окремої єгерської бригади вітає з Днем Державного Прапора України!🇺🇦 Нехай цей символ свободи та Незалежності завжди..." By 152 окрема єгерська бригадаFacebook. Retrieved 2024-08-24.