157th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)
{{Short description|Ukrainian Ground Forces unit}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade
| native_name = 157-ма окрема механізована бригада
| image = File:157th Infantry Brigade Insignia - First Variant.png
| image_size = 220
| caption = Shoulder sleeve insignia
| country = {{Flag|Ukraine}}
| branch = {{army|Ukraine}}
| type = Mechanized infantry
| size = Brigade
| battles = {{tree list}}
- Russo-Ukrainian war
- Pokrovsk offensive{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Another Ukrainian Brigade Is Disintegrating As It Deploys To Pokrovsk |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/27/another-ukrainian-brigade-is-disintegrating-as-it-deploys-to-pokrovsk/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
{{tree list/end}}
| current_commander = Col. Petro Chub
| identification_symbol_2 = 100px
| identification_symbol_2_label = Subdued insignia
}}
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade{{efn|{{langx|uk|157-ма окрема механізована бригада|translit=}}}} is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2024.
History
=Formation=
The 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.{{cite web |last=Kullab |first=Samya |last2=Kozlowska |first2=Joanna |title=Ukraine's divisive mobilization law comes into force as a new Russian push strains front-line troops |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-05-18 |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-mobilization-kharkiv-599753d08518b46e22bf38d1360cce86 |access-date=2024-05-25}}{{cite web |title=Ukraine to create 10 new brigades to prepare for new Russian offensive |website=Ukrainska Pravda |date=2024-05-10 |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/10/7455192/ |access-date=2024-05-25}} This law also saw prisoners being able to join the armed forces.
The brigade was deployed to defend Pokrovsk during the Russian offensive in the area, but suffered from poor training and low morale and was reportedly deteriorating while being transferred to Pokrovsk due to high desertion rates, which had led to the collapse of another 150-series brigade a few weeks prior.{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Another Ukrainian Brigade Is Disintegrating As It Deploys To Pokrovsk |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/27/another-ukrainian-brigade-is-disintegrating-as-it-deploys-to-pokrovsk/ |work=Forbes |date=27 January 2025}}
Structure
{{Unsourced section|date=December 2024}}
As of July 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:
- 157th Separate Infantry Brigade
- Brigade's Headquarters
- 1st Infantry Battalion
- 2nd Infantry Battalion
- 3rd Infantry Battalion
- 4th Infantry Battalion
- 5th Infantry Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Anti-Tank Company
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Company
- Engineer Company
- Maintenance Company
- Medical Company
See also
- 155th Infantry Brigade – a newly created infantry unit in the Ukrainian Ground Forces in May 2024, part of the new expansion
References
{{Reflist}}