1st Azov Corps (Ukraine)
{{Short description|Ukrainian Ground Forces formation}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard
| native_name = 1-й Корпус Національної Гвардії України
| image = 1st Azov Corps Insignia - First Version.png
| image_size = 200
| caption = Shoulder sleeve insignia
| dates = April 15, 2025 – present
| country = {{flag|Ukraine}}
| branch = {{flagicon image|Ensign of the National Guard of Ukraine.svg}} Ukrainian National Guard
| size = Corps
| battles = Russo-Ukrainian War
| website = [https://www.facebook.com/azov.media4308 Official Facebook page]
| commander1 = Denys Prokopenko
| identification_symbol = 200px
| identification_symbol_label = Flag
}}
The 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard “Azov” (Ukrainian: 1-й Корпус Національної Гвардії України «Азов») is a Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=1st Azov Corps |url=https://militaryland.net/ukraine/national-guard/1st-azov-corps/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=MilitaryLand.net |language=en-US}}
History
The 1st Azov Corps, a formation within the Ukrainian National Guard, has its roots tied to the earlier establishment of the Azov Brigade. The Azov unit was initially founded as a special forces battalion under the Ministry of Internal Affairs on May 5, 2014.{{Cite web |title=Unit’s History, Structure, Combat Record, and Traditions |url=https://azov.org.ua/en/about-azov/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Бригада Азов |language=en-US}} The battalion quickly grew in prominence and capability, eventually scaling up to become the Azov Brigade, which played a crucial role in defending Ukraine since its inception.{{Cite web |title=Azov Battalion - History of Battalion Azov {{!}} AZOV.ONE |url=https://azov.one/en/battalion-azov |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=azov.one |language=en}}
In a more recent development, the 1st Azov Corps was officially formed, with Colonel Denys Prokopenko, the commander of the Azov Brigade, appointed to lead this new corps.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard corps |url=https://kyivindependent.com/azov-khartiia-commanders-to-lead-2-new-national-guard-corps/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}} This move is part of a broader military reform within Ukraine, aiming to enhance the structure and operational effectiveness of its armed forces. The creation of the 1st Azov Corps signifies an evolution from the earlier volunteer militia roots into a more formalized and state-overseen military entity.{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian Military Reform: Azov, 3rd Assault Brigades to Form Core of New Corps |url=https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-military-reform-azov-3rd-assault-brigades-to-form-core-of-new-corps/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Militarnyi |language=en-US}}
Structure
As of 2025 the corps' structure is as follows:
{{center|1=Structure}}
{{tree list}}
- 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard “Azov”:
- Corps Headquarters
- 20px 1st Presidential Operational Brigade "Bureviy"{{cite web |title=Підрозділи {{!}} Офіційний сайт бригади «Буревій» {{!}} Гвардія Наступу |url=https://www.bureviy.army/divisions |website=www.bureviy.army |access-date=20 April 2025 |language=uk}}
- Brigade Command and Headquarters
- 1st Operational Battalion "Forpost"
- 3rd Operational Battalion "Hroza"
- 4th Operational Battalion "Horyv"
- Kulchytskyi Battalion{{cite news |title=Батальйон імені Кульчицького увійшов до бригади «Буревій» |url=https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/bataljon-imeni-kulchytskogo-uvijshov-do-brygady-burevij/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=militarnyi.com |date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603160912/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/bataljon-imeni-kulchytskogo-uvijshov-do-brygady-burevij/ |archive-date=3 June 2023}}
- Unmanned Systems Battalion "Kondor"
- Artillery Division
- Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Division "Borey"
- Sniper Company "Bekas"
- Technical Intelligence Unit "Zaychyky Chrkesa"
- 20px 12th Special Purpose Brigade "Azov"{{cite web |title=Unit’s History, Structure, Combat Record, and Traditions |url=https://azov.org.ua/en/about-azov/ |website=Бригада Азов |access-date=20 April 2025}}
- Brigade Command and Headquarters
- 1st Special Purpose Battalion
- 2nd Special Purpose Battalion
- 3rd International Battalion
- 6th Special Purpose Battalion
- Brigade Artillery Group
- Tank Battalion
- Unmanned Systems Battalion
- Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Battalion
- Support Forces Battalion
- Communications Node
- Technical Intelligence Company
- Medical Company
- Sniper Company
- Commandment's Company
- Electronic Warfare Company
- Service Support Battalion
- Automobile Battalion
- Special Purpose Reconnaissance Detachment
- Psychological Service
- 20px 14th Operational Brigade "Chervona Kalyna"{{cite web |title=Chervona Kalyna Brigade |url=https://militaryland.net/ukraine/national-guard/chervona-kalyna-brigade/ |website=MilitaryLand.net |access-date=20 April 2025 |date=4 February 2023}}
- Brigade Command and Headquarters
- 1st Operational Battalion
- 2nd Operational Battalion
- 3rd Operational Battalion
- 4th Guardsmen Battalion
- 5th Guardsmen Battalion
- 6th Guardsmen Battalion
- Tank Company
- Reconnaissance Company
- Signal Company
- Artillery Group
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Engineering Battalion
- Logistics Battalion
- 20px 15th Operational Brigade "Kara-Dah"{{cite web |title=Kara-Dag Brigade |url=https://militaryland.net/ukraine/national-guard/kara-dag-brigade/ |website=MilitaryLand.net |access-date=20 April 2025 |date=4 February 2023}}
- Brigade Command and Headquarters
- 1st Operational Battalion
- 3rd Operational Battalion
- 4th Guardsmen Battalion
- 5th Guardsmen Battalion
- 6th Guardsmen Battalion
- Artillery Group
- Tank Company
- Special Purpose Reconnaissance Company
- Unmanned Systems Battalion "Ghost of Khortytsia"
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Support Battalion
- 20px {{ill|20th Operational Brigade "Lyubart"|uk|20-та бригада оперативного призначення НГУ «Любарт»}}{{cite web |title=Lyubart Brigade |url=https://militaryland.net/ukraine/national-guard/lyubart-brigade/ |website=MilitaryLand.net |access-date=20 April 2025 |date=20 July 2024}}
- Brigade Command and Headquarters
- 1st Special Purpose Battalion
- 2nd Special Purpose Battalion
- 3rd Special Purpose Battalion
- Mortar Battery
- Reconnaissance Company
- Unmanned Systems Company
- Medical Service
{{tree list/end}}