100th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)

The 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade ( uk, 100 окрема механізована бригада, translit=100 okrema mekhanizovana bryhada), is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed on 27 June 2018. The brigade was also a former territorial defense brigade until being reformed in late March 2024 as a Mechanized Brigade.

History

Formation

In 2018, the brigade, known as the 100th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces ( uk, 100-та окрема бригада територіальної оборони, translit=100-ta okrema bryhada teritorіalʹnoї oboroni), was formed in Volyn Oblast in order to serve as a defense unit for the area. According to the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, it was an important part of the Defense Forces, and helped to defend the country's independence.

Reforms

It was announced on 30 March 2024, by the brigade's press service, that the brigade was being reorganised under the designation of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade, being transferred to the Ground Forces component rather than the Territorial Defense Forces. The brigade was only reformed on the basis of the existing units of the 100th Territorial Defense Brigade. Alongside this, the brigade received a new insignia, shifting away from the Territorial Defense Forces styled insignia, opting for the middle of the insignia to have a shield embedded with a fortified tower in the centre.

Insignia

According to the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine, the insignia of the brigade reflected the pride and courage of the defenders of Volyn. The sleeve insignia had the appearance of a red heraldic shield with a blue serrated head and decored with blue edging. The centre of the insignia was embdedded with a silver Latin cross on a red shield. It was mentioned that the red symbolises the bravery, courage and willingness to give one's life for "God and the Motherland", and white represents "purity and integrity".

After the brigade was reformed into a mechanized brigade on 30 March 2024, the insignia of the brigade changed to have a fortified castle tower displayed in the centre of the insignia with a subdued green in the background - the tower being a direct reference to a tower of Lubart's Castle in Lutsk, Volyn Oblast. The rest of the shield retained the silver Latin cross on a red shield and was accompanied by a black border. Later the same day, the insignia was changed for the a second time to have a similar appearance, but instead the centre of the insignia had a light blue colour behind the fortified castle tower, followed by a strikingly different and more purple colour on the borders of the insignia - this variant would remain in use until 25 April 2024 where it would be changed to its current state.

On 25 April 2024, the insignia of the brigade changed for a final time where the design of the Lubart Castle tower was made to be grey rather than a toned and subdued golden/yellow colour, alongside with the background colour of the tower being returned to the first design on 30 March 2024 - being a subdued green. In addition to this, the interior shield in the middle of the insignia had its border colours returned to black, alongside the rest of the shield having a more subdued green border. The insignia still retains the core areas of the insignia, such as the Latin silver cross.

Visual Insignia

100th Territorial Defence Brigade Insignia.png, Former shoulder sleeve insignia of the 100th Territorial Defense Brigade.
100th Territorial Defence Brigade Insignia - Subdued Variant.png, Former shoulder sleeve insignia, subdued variant, of the 100th Territorial Defense Brigade.
100th Mechanised Brigade Insignia - New Variant One.png, Former, and first new version of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 100th Mechanized Brigade.
100th Mechanised Brigade Insignia - New Variant Two.png, Former, and second new version of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 100th Mechanized Brigade.
100th Mechanised Brigade Insignia.png, Current shoulder sleeve insignia of the 100th Mechanized Brigade.
100th Mechanized Brigade Insignia - Subdued Variant.png, Current shoulder sleeve insignia, subdued variant, of the 100th Mechanized Brigade.

Issues and criticisms

In a report by Forbes in late April 2024, it was stated that the brigade is one of the newest and most lightly equipped in the entire Ukrainian Ground Forces. The report also mentioned that the brigade was unsuitable for the frontline conditions that commanders required. This came after the 115th Mechanized Brigade were pulled away from Ocheretyne for its reported poor performance, with many including DeepStateMap.Live holding the 115th Mechanized Brigade accountable for the loss of the settlement.

Equipment

Small arms

The brigade is armed with a variety of small arms, this predominantly includes weapons from the Kalashnikov rifle series such as the AK-74, usually highly modified with additional attachments such as foregrips, stocks, suppressors, and telescopic sights. Other attachments for the Kalashnikov rifle variants include the GP-25 grenade launcher. There has also been extensive usage of other small arms, including general-purpose-machine-guns such as the PKM, and light machine guns including the RPK and RPK-74. A small amount of M-14 rifles have been seen in use by the brigade with additional attachment such as telescopic sights and bipods mounted. A number of other designated marksman rifles including the SVD has also been seen present amongst the brigade. RPG-7's have also been seen in use by the brigade.

As of March 2024, the brigade utilizes the following small arms:
* AK-74 - Soviet/Russian assault rifle
* RPK-74 - Soviet/Russian light machine gun
* PKM - Soviet/Russian general-purpose machine gun
* SVD - Soviet/Russian designated marksman rifle (DMR)
* M14 - American select fire battle rifle, in use as a DMR
* GP-25 - Soviet/Russian under barrel grenade launcher for the Kalashnikov rifle series
* RPG-7 - Soviet/Russian anti-tank, rocket launcher

Vehicles

On 8 July 2024, it was reported in an article by David Axe that the 100th Mechanized Brigade had been equipped with German 1A3 Marder infantry fighting vehicles - reportedly giving the brigade its first major protected mobility and firepower. This became the first unit within the Ukrainian Ground Forces to receive 1A3 Marder vehicles.

As of August 2024, the brigade operates the following vehicles:
* 1A3 Marder - German infantry fighting vehicle

Russo-Ukrainian War

Russian invasion of Ukraine

The brigade, throughout its existence, has fought extensively throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine which begun on 24 February 2022.

In July 2022, the brigade was reportedly building fortifications on the northern border with Belarus in order to prevent a future Russian offensive that may have occurred towards Ukraine's northern border around Kyiv, an area previously attacked by Russia between February to April 2022.

On 28 July 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awarded "For Courage and Bravery" title to the brigade, and became the first Territorial Defense Brigade to receive the award.

It was reported by various Ukrainian media outlets that the brigade has fought extensively in the Bakhmut, Kupiansk, and Lyman directions in eastern Ukraine for over a year. The brigade's command moved four other battalions, these being the Kovel, Kamen-Kashur, and the Volodymyr battalion's in early April 2023 to perform combat missions in the Lyman area of eastern Ukraine.

Battle of Bakhmut

At the beginning of March 2023, it was reported that the Lutsk battalion, also being designated as the 53rd Territorial Defense Battalion within the brigade, moved to the Bakhmut direction, a point in time where according to Reuters - the battle for the city was grinding down Russia's best units.

Battle of Ocheretyne

Ensuing Russia's offensive actions in Avdiivka throughout the winter of 2023 to 2024, capturing Avdiivka on 17 February 2024 after Ukraine's military withdrew from the area, many troops moved west in order to hold a defense against the Russian offensive in the vicinity. The brigade was involved in the battle for Ocheretyne, a village west of Avdiivka which saw Russian offensive actions spearhead in late April to early May 2024 - capturing the village on 5 May 2024.

In a report by Forbes, it was mentioned that the 100th Mechanized Brigade was not experienced, and that the 2,000 soldiers of the brigade had seen combat actions throughout the duration of the Russian invasion. However, it was mentioned that the brigade lacked heavy equipment alongside Western equipment such as tanks, fighting vehicles, and artillery.

The brigade reportedly fought hard in the direction, allegedly intercepting the Russian 30th Motor Rifle Brigade as well as other units composing the Russian 41st Combined Arms Army when advancing towards the Prohres, a village seven miles to the west along the same railroad linking Avdiivka and Ocheretyne. In a report by DeepStateMap.Live, an online interactive Ukrainian mapping site, the 100th Mechanized Brigade successfully counterattacked a Russian advances towards Prohres, stopping the assault.

Despite the efforts of the brigade, the village fell on 5 May 2024, with it being stated by The Guardian that it was left "left in ruins" after being battered in fighting.

Battle of Toretsk

The brigade was deployed to Toretsk prior to August 2024, helping in the defence against the Russian offensive in the Toretsk direction. The brigade's VORON drone unit has been involved heavily in the defense of Toretsk, using attack drones to target Russian soldiers.

On 18 August 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recognised the efforts of the 100th Mechanized Brigade in the defense of Toretsk.

It was reported on 20 August 2024 that the official Kremlin statement named that the 100th Mechanized Brigade, alongside other units such as the 25th Airborne Brigade and the 120th Territorial Defense Brigade had been "defeated" around settlements in Toretsk and Niu York. According to a report by TASS, a state-owned pro-Russian news agency, Russia's Battlegroup 'Center' claimed to have inflicted 585 casualties on Ukrainian forces in a single day over the aforementioned Ukrainian units.

Structure

As of 30 March 2024 the brigade's structure is as follows:
*100th Separate Mechanized Brigade
** Headquarters
** 50th Territorial Defense Battalion (Ratne) А7059
** 51st Territorial Defense Battalion (Kamin-Kashyrskyi) А7060
** 52nd Territorial Defense Battalion (Manevychi) А7061
** 53rd Territorial Defense Battalion ( Lutsk) А7062
*** 3rd Rifle Company
** 54th Territorial Defense Battalion (Kovel) А7063
** 55th Territorial Defense Battalion ( Volodymyr) А7064
** Aerial Reconnaissance and Strike UAV Unit "Voron 100"
** Counter-Sabotage Company
** Engineering Company
** Communication Company
** Logistics Company
** Mortar Battery

See also

* 3rd Assault Brigade
* 115th Mechanized Brigade
* Russian Volunteer Corps

References

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Mechanized brigades of Ukraine
Military units and formations established in 2018
2018 establishments in Ukraine