The 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 155 окрема механізована бригада, romanized: 155 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada) is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces established in 2024.[2] It was part of the creation and expansion of nine other brigades in the Ukrainian Ground Forces, announced by its commander Oleksandr Pavliuk, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3] The unit has the nickname "Anne of Kyiv" and the motto "On ne passe pas" ("They shall not pass").[2]
| 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 155 окрема механізована бригада 155 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada | |
 Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 2024–present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Operational Command North[1] |
| Garrison/HQ | Rivne Oblast |
| Nickname(s) | Anne of Kyiv |
| Motto(s) | On ne passe pas (They shall not pass) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col. Dmytro Ryumshin |
The brigade was formed in 2024, and undergoing training in France to make it a fully-fledged unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
The brigade was formed sometime around April to May 2024 and was announced by ITV Rivne. It is undergoing the process of formation to become a fully-fledged unit . It was expected that these units will help to defend against a potential Russian offensive in 2024.[3] The brigade is expected to be deployed by December of the same year.
History
editFormation
editThe brigade was formed after a Ukrainian mobilization law came into force, seeing the draft age being lowered from 27 to 25 and placing penalties for those avoiding conscription.[4][3] This law also saw prisoners being able to join the armed forces.[4]
It was reported by Forbes that these 10 new brigades would consist of 2,000 people and that some of these new brigades would be infantry, not mechanized brigades.[3] It was stated by Pavluvik, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, that these new brigades could be stationed around Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, for a potential Russian offensive.
The brigade was first acknowledged to have existed on 8 May 2024, when a Ukrainian news outlet in Rivne known as ITV Rivne reported about the forming of a new infantry brigade designated as the 155th Infantry Brigade—the first brigade to come into fruition following the announcement of expanding and creating ten new brigades by Pavluvik. It was reported that Rivne City Council donated various equipment to the newly created brigade in order to meet the certain needs of the soldiers in the unit.
The first wave of 2,000 soldiers soldiers have received training in the East of France by September 2024, and eventually the division will grow to an expected 4,500 soldiers.[2] France also fully equipped the brigade, including with armored vehicles and multitask mobile artillery. These include 18 CAESAR self-propelled howitzer.[5] Additionally, they will have 18 AMX 10 armoured fighting vehicles, and 128 armored personnel carriers.[2]
As the brigade was largely trained and equipped by France, it bears the nickname "Anne of Kyiv" after the Kyiv princess who would later marry and become Queen of France from 1051-1060.[2][6] The unit chose the motto "On ne passe pas" ("They shall not pass").
Insignia
editOn 27 June 2024, the brigade made an appearance on social media for the first time, the brigade also uploaded its insignia, illustrated as a scorpion with a half black and red background with the brigade's number designation being displayed in the center of the scorpion's head. The insignia was first revealed on 28 June 2024.
Russo-Ukrainian War
editRussian invasion of Ukraine
editThe 155th Infantry Brigade, much like other brigades including the 159th Infantry Brigade, is expected to play a significant role since its formation, most probably expected to repel a potential Russian offensive in 2025. The brigade has currently not seen any combat, and they are expected to deploy near the end of 2024.[2]
Structure
editAs of 27 June 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:
- 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade
- Brigade’s Headquarters
- 1st Mechanized Battalion
- 2nd Mechanized Battalion
- 3rd Mechanized Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Anti-Tank Company
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Company
- Engineer Company
- Maintenance Company
- Medical Company
See also
edit- 159th Infantry Brigade – a newly created infantry unit in the Ukrainian Ground Forces in May 2024, part of the new expansion
- 156th Mechanized Brigade
References
edit- ^ "Про затвердження військово-адміністративного поділу території України". Офіційний вебпортал парламенту України (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ a b c d e f "A France-trained force aims to strengthen Ukraine's defenses at a critical point in war". AP News. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ a b c d "Ukraine to create 10 new brigades to prepare for new Russian offensive". Ukrainska Pravda. 2024-05-10. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ a b Kullab, Samya; Kozlowska, Joanna (2024-05-18). "Ukraine's divisive mobilization law comes into force as a new Russian push strains front-line troops". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ "Emmanuel Macron visite des soldats ukrainiens formés en France, Volodymyr Zelensky reçu jeudi à Paris" (in French). France 24. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ "Lignes de défense – La brigade n°155 «Anne de Kiev» de l'armée ukrainienne est née en France" (in French). RFI. 2024-10-13. Retrieved 2024-10-14.