3rd Assault Brigade

With the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, most units of the Azov Regiment were based in Mariupol where they soon would be besieged. Outside of Mariupol, many former veterans of Azov outside the city began forming new units, in particular in Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv. These units were soon integrated into the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and became collectively known as "Azov SSO".{{Cite web |title=Special operations forces of SSO Azov regiment become separate assault brigade of Ground Forces and fight in Bakhmut |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/01/26/7386607/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Ball |first=Tom |date=30 May 2022 |title=Azov Battalion drops neo-Nazi symbol exploited by Russian propagandists |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/azov-battalion-drops-neo-nazi-symbol-exploited-by-russian-propagandists-lpjnsp7qg |access-date= |issn=0140-0460}}

In January 2023, all the former Azov SSO were merged into a single fully operational combat unit within the Ukrainian Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.{{Cite web |title=SSO Azov becomes Separate Assault Brigade with Army's Ground Forces |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3659853-azov-becomes-separate-assault-brigade-with-armys-ground-forces.html |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=26 January 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=SSO Azov Reformed and is Now the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade |url=https://theatlasnews.co/brief/2023/01/26/azov-regiment-reformed-and-is-now-the-3rd-separate-assault-brigade/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Atlas News |language=en-US}} The formation of this brigade was strategically designed to create a highly mobile, well-equipped, and extensively trained force capable of engaging in both defensive and offensive operations.

An important milestone for the brigade occurred on 24 February 2023, when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally presented the Regimental Colour during a ceremonial event.{{Cite web |last=Суспільне Новини |date=Feb 24, 2023 |title=Зеленський до річниці великої війни нагородив військових на Софіївській площі |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTa9lMDA3nM |website=YouTube (23:50)}} The colors of the brigade were said to symbolize "the tenacity of the traditions of Ukrainian statehood: from princely times [of Kievan Rus'], the Cossack period, the first liberation struggles [in the early 20th century] to modern times".{{Cite news |title=Special operations forces of Azov regiment become separate assault brigade of Ground Forces and fight in Bakhmut |url=https://pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/01/26/7386607/ |work=Ukrainska Pravda}}

The brigade's soldiers took part in the liberation of Kherson and parts of the Kherson Oblast, as well as in the battle of Bakhmut.{{cite web|title=Унікальні кадри війни з передової Бахмута Хроніка боїв азовців - документальний фільм| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji637wXgPrg&ab_channel=АпострофTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209114039/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji637wXgPrg&ab_channel=%D0%90%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%84TV|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2023}} On 12 April 2023, the brigade's official media resources announced the start of recruitment efforts.{{Cite web|title=3-тя окрема штурмова бригада оголосила набір добровольців|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3411661/3tya_okrema_shturmova_brygada_ogolosyla_nabir_dobrovoltsiv|website=Цензор.НЕТ|access-date=2023-04-13|language=uk|last=Цензор.НЕТ}} In May 2023, it was one of the first to report successful offensives in the Bakhmut district against the Russian Ground Forces.{{Cite web|title=Украинские военные заявили, что 72-я бригада войск РФ оставила позиции под Бахмутом|url=https://www.golosameriki.com/a/ukraine-bakhmut-developments/7086822.html|website=ГОЛОС АМЕРИКИ|date=2023-05-10|access-date=2023-05-19|language=ru}}

On 15 September 2023, after months of fighting, the brigade liberated Andriivka,{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/genstab-vsu-podtverdil-osvobozdenie-andreevki-k-ugu-ot-bahmuta/live-66817536 |title=Генштаб: ВСУ освободили Андреевку к югу от Бахмута |trans-title=General Staff: AFU liberated Andreevka south of Bakhmut |publisher=DW |date=2023-09-15 |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=dw.com |language=ru |author=Жан Рофе |quote= }} and held onto it despite a Russian counterattack on 17 September.{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}} Ukrainian ground forces commander General Syrskyi called Klishchiivka and Andriivka "important elements of the Russian Bakhmut-Horlivka defensive line", and ISW assessed that the capture of these settlements defending a key Russian ground line of communication will make it difficult for the already weary defending forces to replenish and continue defending.

In February 2024, shortly after the dismissal of Zaluzhnyi, the brigade was transferred into Avdiivka to relieve the potential encirclement of the city.{{Cite news|title=Ukraine May Have Deployed One Its Best Brigades To Try To Save Avdiivka|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/02/11/ukraine-may-have-deployed-one-its-best-brigades-to-try-to-save-avdiivka/?sh=6364ef3f5e95|access-date=2024-02-11|website=Forbes}} After the fall of Avdiivka on February 17, the brigade took new defensive lines west of Avdiivka around Lastochkyne.{{Cite web |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/968484.html |title=3 ОШБр: У ворога на авдіївському напрямку достатньо сил і засобів для просування далі, Ласточкине - основний напрямок для росіян |website=interfax.com.ua}}

On 17 February, the brigade's press officer, Oleksandr Borodin, claimed that during its relocation to Avdiivka, his unit had killed 1,500 Russians, wounded over 3,500, and destroyed 20 armoured vehicles. He also said that the brigade has "no reports" of large numbers of their soldiers being taken prisoner.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/02/17/7442369/ Most troops have left Avdiivka, no large-scale capture of Ukrainian soldiers – 3rd Separate Assault Brigade – video]

On 27 May 2024, the brigade claimed to have killed, wounded or taken prisoner "close to" 600 Russian troops in Kharkiv Oblast. One Russian soldier captured by the brigade claimed in an interview that he was the only survivor of his 15-man section following an attack.[https://www.kyivpost.com/post/33460 Kremlin Commanders Undeterred by Losses, Repeat Armor and Infantry Attacks Across Front]

On 19 June, the brigade claimed that their 1st Mechanised Battalion had killed 250 Russians in Kharkiv Oblast, publishing a video that purportedly proved their claims.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/06/19/7461527/ 3rd Assault Brigade posts video of killing 250 Russians in Kharkiv Oblast]

On 22 August 2024, the brigade claimed to have taken two square kilometers in a counterattack against Russia's 20th Army in Kharkiv Oblast. Despite being outnumbered 2.5 to 1, they claimed to have defeated a battalion, including "platoon and company strong points", killing 300 personnel in three days and diverting Russian forces away from Makiivka.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/08/22/7471470/ Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade pushes almost 2 sq km into Russian-occupied territory in Kharkiv Oblast]

In November 2024, it was reported that certain units of the brigade's 2nd Assault Battalion were operating in the Kharkiv Oblast.{{cite web|url=https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/na-harkivshhyni-3-oshbr-u-zasidtsi-likviduvala-39-rosiyan/|title=На Харківщині 3 ОШБр у засідці ліквідувала 39 росіян|first=Тарас|last=Сафронов|date=16 November 2024|access-date=5 May 2025|website=Militarnyi|language=uk}}

Plans to transform this elite formation to become the III Army Corps (Assault) began in March 2025, with Andriy Biletskyi expected to retain his billet of commanding officer upon the conclucion of the reorganization process.https://militaryland.net/news/3rd-assault-brigade-becomes-3rd-army-corps/

In late March 2025, it was reported that units of the brigade, had recaptured the village of Nadiia in the Luhansk Oblast. Biletskyi claimed that this resulted in the destruction of two regiments of Russia's 20th Combined Arms Army: the 752nd and 254th Motor Rifle Regiments.{{cite web|title=З ОШБр звільнила н.п. Надія на Луганщині|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3542739/naselenyyi-punkt-nadiya-na-luganschyni-zvilneno-scho-vidomo-pro-blyskuchu-operatsiyu|date=23 March 2025|access-date=29 May 2025|first=Ірина|last=Дашківська|website=Цензор.нет|language=uk}} The operation to recapture Nadiia was mainly conducted by the brigade's 1st Assault Battalion,{{cite web|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3545364/okupanty-aktyvno-shturmuyut-v-napryamku-nadiyi|website=Цензор.нет|language=uk|title=Окупанти намагаються на Луганщині захопити Надію, яку в березні звільнили ЗСУ|first=Ольга|last=Гергелюк|date=6 April 2025|access-date=29 May 2025}}, though other units were involved, including the brigade's 2nd Mechanized Battalion{{cite web|title=Бійці 3-ї ОШБр зачищають перелісок під час звільнення села Надія на Луганщині: "Зараз би колонку і музички навалити, щоб п#дари і вмерли зразу нах#й"|url=https://censor.net/ua/videonews/3548007/boyi-na-luganschyni-zvilnennya-sela-nadiya-u-luganskiyi-oblasti|date=21 April 2025|access-date=29 May 2025|language=uk|website=Цензор.нет|first=Сергій|last=Яковенко}} and its tank battalion.{{cite web|title=Бойова робота екіпажу українського танка із 3-ї ОШБр|url=https://censor.net/ua/videonews/3548786/boyiova-robota-ukrayinskyh-tankistiv-likvidatsiya-okupantiv|website=Цензор.нет|language=uk|access-date=29 May 2025|date=25 April 2025|first=Сергій|last=Яковенко}} The next month, combat continued near the village of Nadiia; the brigade's 1st Assault Battalion, 1st Mechanized Battalion, and 2nd Mechanized Battalion were reportedly involved.{{cite web|title=Воїни 3 ОШБр знищили пів батальйону російських загарбників на Луганщині|url=https://censor.net/ua/videonews/3545674/3-oshbr-znyschyla-piv-batalyionu-rf-na-luganschyni|website=Цензор.нет|language=uk|date=8 April 2025|access-date=29 May 2025|first=Богдан|last=Русінко}}

In a late March 2025 interview, Biletskyi said that the brigade was defending the town of Borova in the Kharkiv Oblast, which he said was a Russian target. The 3rd Assault Brigade was opposed by units of the 1st Guards Tank Army and the 20th Combined Arms Army.{{cite web|title=3 ОШБр не дала росіянам захопити жодної позиції за останні півтора місяця, - Білецький|url=https://censor.net/ua/videonews/3544046/vorog-ne-maye-uspihiv-proty-3-oshbr-na-harkivschyni-scho-tam-vidbuvayetsya|date=30 March 2025|access-date=29 May 2025|first=Ірина|last=Дашківська|language=uk|website=Цензор.нет}}

According to the independent French investigative online newspaper Mediapart, the French army trained soldiers from the 3rd Assault Brigade at the La Courtine camp, in the Creuse in 2023. Several of them displayed neo-Nazi symbols and on their social network profiles, including "Hitlerian salutes, Celtic crosses, emblems of several SS divisions, skulls, pictures of Adolf Hitler". Mediapart asked the French Ministry of the Armed Forces to comment on the matter. The response was "It is the Ukrainian armed forces that organise the flow and selection of Ukrainian soldiers sent to France and Europe. We therefore have no comment to make on this organisation."{{Cite web |language=fr |author=Sébastien Bourdon |title=L'armée française entraîne des néonazis ukrainiens au combat |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/220524/l-armee-francaise-entraine-des-neonazis-ukrainiens-au-combat |website=Mediapart|date=22 May 2024 }}{{Cite web |language=fr |author=Matthieu Terrats |title=Guerre en Ukraine : "Le symbole de la SS tatoué sur le visage", des soldats néonazis ukrainiens entraînés en France |url=https://www.lindependant.fr/2024/05/23/guerre-en-ukraine-le-symbole-de-la-ss-tatoue-sur-le-visage-des-soldats-neonazis-ukrainiens-entraines-en-france-11968774.php |website=lindependant.fr}}{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Guerre en Ukraine : croix gammées, tatouage SS… des soldats ukrainiens néonazis entraînés en France ? |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2024/05/24/guerre-en-ukraine-croix-gammees-tatouage-ss-des-soldats-ukrainiens-neonazis-entraines-en-france-11971823.php |website=ladepeche.fr}} The Politician Catherine Couturier protested against the Ministry of the Armed Forces.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lejdd.fr/international/larmee-francaise-accusee-davoir-entraine-des-neonazis-ukrainiens-dans-la-creuse-145694 |title=L'armée française accusée d'avoir entraîné des néonazis ukrainiens dans la Creuse|date=27 May 2024 }}

In 2022, the Canadian Army was also criticised for training soldiers of the 3rd Assault Brigade.

In July 2024, the brigade organised a tour through Europe to recruit volunteers and promote their image. After protests from left-wing groups, especially in Germany, events in Berlin, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Cologne and Brussels were cancelled.{{Cite web |url=https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/geopolitik/asow-brigade-in-berlin-treptow-ukraine-militaers-sagen-werbetermin-ab-li.2238507 |title=Asow-Brigade in Berlin-Treptow: Ukraine-Militärs sagen Werbetermin ab |website=Berliner Zeitung|date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726082501/https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/geopolitik/asow-brigade-in-berlin-treptow-ukraine-militaers-sagen-werbetermin-ab-li.2238507|archive-date=26 July 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bz-berlin.de/berlin/treptow-koepenick/linke-protestieren-asow-battaillon |title=Linke protestieren gegen umstrittenes Asow-Bataillon |website=B.Z.|date=25 July 2024 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.telepolis.de/features/Ukraine-Krieg-und-NS-Nostalgie-Auftritte-von-Asow-Sturmbrigade-in-Hamburg-und-Berlin-gecancelt-9814171.html |title=Ukraine-Krieg und NS-Nostalgie: Auftritte von Asow-Sturmbrigade in Hamburg und Berlin gecancelt |website=Telepolis|date=26 July 2024 }}{{Cite web |url=https://english.radio.cz/protest-prague-against-visit-members-azov-brigade-8824416 |title=Protest in Prague against visit by members of Azov brigade |website=Radio Prague|date=August 2024 }}

As of 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:{{Cite web |title=3rd Separate Assault Infantry Brigade – Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Units to Watch #1 |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/16955 |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - KyivPost |date=12 May 2023 |language=en}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2025}}

{{tree list}}

• 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast. Brigade executive officer Major Maksym Zhorin since 2023.
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 20px 1st Assault Infantry Battalion. Commander Petro "Rollo" Horbatenko.
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 15px 1st Assault Company
• 20px 2nd Assault Company
• 15px 3rd Assault Company
• 15px 4th Assault Company
• Mortar Battery
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• 15px FPV Drone Unit "Primus"
• 15px Special Reconnaissance and Sabotage Unit "Hatred"
• 15px Engineer Platoon
• 15px Communication Center "S6"
• 15px Medical Platoon
• 20px 2nd Assault Infantry Battalion. Commander Dmytro "Slip" Kukharchuk.{{Cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/824060.html|title=Military in Mariupol has enough fighters, but they need equipment, aviation – National Corps|website=Interfax-Ukraine}}
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 15px 1st Assault Company
• 15px 1st Assault Platoon "Galician"
• 15px 2nd Assault Platoon "Algiz"
• 3rd Assault Platoon
• 15px 2nd Assault Company
• 15px "Decepticons" Platoon
• 15px "Wolf Pack" Platoon
• 15px "Myron" Platoon
• 15px 3rd Assault Company
• 20px 1st Platoon "NC13"
• 2nd Platoon "Frost"
• 15px 3rd Platoon "Pesto"
• 4th Assault Company
• 15px Shershen Drone Company
• 15px Communications Platoon
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• Engineering and Sapper Platoon
• 15px Medical Platoon
• 20px Reconnaissance and Strike UAV Unit "Hornet"
• 20px 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion. Formed in February 2022 as 98th Territorial Defence Battalion 'Azov-Dnipro'. Commander Bohdan Korzhenko "Adik".
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 1st Mechanized Company
• 2nd Mechanized Company
• 15px 3rd Mechanized Company
• FRST Crew
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• 15px Attack Drone Platoon "Revenge Group"
• Armored Group. Commander "Malyuk"
• Separate Anti-Tank Platoon
• 1st Mortar Battery. 120mm mortars, Commander "Bald"
• 2nd Mortar Battery. 82mm mortars. Commander "Shamil"
• 15px Separate Engineering and Sapper Platoon
• Technical Support Platoon
• 15px Anti-Tank Platoon
• 15px Mortar Battery
• Air-Defense Platoon
• Grenade Platoon
• Signals Platoon
• 15px Medical Platoon
• 20px 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion. Commander Denys "Var" Sokur.
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 15px 1st Mechanized Company
• 15px "Spear" Platoon
• 15px 2nd Mechanized Company. Chief Sergeant "Tarzan"
• 15px "Hydra" Unit
• 15px 3rd Mechanized Company. Commander Oleksandr "Salidol" Vinnikov.
• 4th Mechanized Company. Commander "Gerysh"
• 15px UAV Group "Punk". Artillery Spotting, FPV drops.
• 15px UAV Group "Lumiere". FPV drops and kamikaze drones.
• 15px 1st Mortar Battery. 120mm mortars
• 15px 2nd Mortar Battery "Gang of Gunners". 82mm mortars
• Technical Support Platoon
• 15px Fire Support Platoon (SPG-9, Mk 19)
• Air-Defense Platoon
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• Grenade Platoon
• Signals Platoon
• 15px Engineering and Sapper Platoon
• 20px Medical Platoon
• 20px 1st Rifle Battalion
• 1st Rifle Company
• 2nd Rifle Company
• 3rd Rifle Company
• Fire Support Platoon
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• Engineering and Sapper Platoon
• Signals Platoon
• Medical Center
• 20px 2nd Rifle Battalion
• 1st Rifle Company
• 2nd Rifle Company
• 3rd Rifle Company
• Fire Support Platoon
• Reconnaissance Platoon
• Engineering and Sapper Platoon
• Signals Platoon
• Medical Center
• International Battalion
• HHC
• 20px Spanish Storm Company
• 1st Storm Company
• 2nd Storm Company
• 3rd Storm Company
• 20px Tank Battalion
• Headquarters & Headquarters Company
• 1st Tank Company
• 15px 2nd Tank Company "Steel Wolves"
• Field Artillery Regiment
• Headquarters and Target Acquisition Battery
• Observer Battery
• 15px 1st Self-propelled Artillery Battalion "Commando Postril"
• 15px 2nd Self-propelled Artillery Battalion
• 15px 2nd Artillery Battery "Martial Family"
• 15px Rocket Artillery Battalion (Bastion-01 and Bastion-02)
• 15px Anti-Tank Battalion
• 15px 1st Company
• 15px 3rd Company "Centuria"
• 15px FPV Drone Unit "Paskuda Group"
• Anti-aircraft Defense Missile Artillery Regiment
• 20px Unmanned Systems Battalion (formed in February 2024 as an expansion of UAV group "Kryla"){{Cite web |title=БЕЗПІЛОТНІ СИСТЕМИ #3ОШБр |url=https://t.me/BBS3AB/29 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Telegram}}
• 15px Aerial Reconnaissance Company "Kryla"
• 15px Reconnaissance and Strike UAV Unit "Fatum"
• UAV Crew "Over Head"
• UAV Crew "Vitrolom"
• 15px Aerial Reconnaissance Unit "Terra"
• 15px UAV Unit "Mosquitos"
• 20px Sniper Platoon "GAR"
• 20px NOVA Technology Center
• Intelligence Company
• 20px Engineer Battalion
• 15px Engineer Reconnaissance Platoon
• 15px Engineer Sapper Platoon
• 20px Logistics Battalion
• 20px Signals Company
• 15px Khorunzha Service
• 20px Maintenance Battalion
• Radar Company
• 20px Medical Company
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company
• FPV Drone Training School "Kill House"
• MP Platoon
• Brigade Band {{tree list/end}}

{{Authority control}}{{Ukrainian Ground Forces}}

Category:Military units and formations established in 2023

Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Mechanized brigades of Ukraine