503rd Marine Battalion (Ukraine)
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 503rd Separate Marine Battalion
----
701st Separate Marine Battalion (2015-17)
| image = 503th Separate Marine Battalion.png
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Battalion Insignia
| native_name = 503-й окремий батальйон морської піхоти
| dates = 2015-present
| garrison = Mariupol
| country = {{flag|Ukraine}}
| branch = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ukrainian Naval Infantry.png}} Ukrainian Marine Corps
| type = Battalion
| role = Naval infantry
| command_structure = 22px 38th Marine Brigade
| battles = Russo-Ukrainian War
| identification_symbol = 200px
| identification_symbol_label = Former Insignia
| identification_symbol_2 = 200px
| identification_symbol_2_label = Flag
| current_commander = Denys Karnaushenko
| decorations = For Courage and Bravery
}}
The 503rd Separate Marine Battalion is a battalion of the 38th Marine Brigade. It was established in late 2015 as a part of the Ukrainian Navy's 36th Marine Brigade as the 701st Marine Battalion but was transferred to the Ukrainian Marine Corps in 2018. It became a part of the 38th Marine Brigade in February 2023 which was established on the basis of the battalion. It was garrisoned at Mariupol.
History
In 2015, it was established as a part of the 36th Marine Brigade as the 701st Marine Battalion.{{Cite web|url=https://ukurier.gov.ua/uk/articles/voronovi-z-mariupolskogo-bataljonu/|title=Воронови з маріупольського батальйону|date=2020-05-23|website=Урядовий Кур’єр|accessdate=2024-03-09}} The battalion's combat coordination and training took place near Urzuf.{{Cite web|url=https://www.5.ua/suspilstvo/na-zakhyst-morskykh-rubezhiv-lehendarnyi-komandyr-ocholyt-novyi-pidrozdil-morpikhiv-123062.html|title=На захист морських рубежів: легендарний командир очолить новий підрозділ морпіхів|date=2016-08-16|website=5.ua}}{{Cite web|url=https://24tv.ua/ru/na_zahisti_morskih_rubezhiv_ukrayini_legendarniy_komandir_ocholit_noviy_pidrozdil_morpihiv_n1323220|title=На захисті морських рубежів України: легендарний командир очолить новий підрозділ морпіхів|date=2016-08-18|website=24 Канал|language=ru|accessdate=2024-03-09}}
On September 28, 2016, the battalion received portable electricity production systems.{{Cite web |url=http://cimic.com.ua/news/2016/09/28/7088 |title=Морпіхам під Маріуполем передали портативні електрогенератори |accessdate=5 December 2016 |archive-date=17 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017193703/http://cimic.com.ua/news/2016/09/28/7088 }} On October 18, 2016, the battalion's posts near the villages of Lebedynske and Vodiane were shelled by separatists killing a soldier of the battalion (Dmytro Andriyovych Zakharov).[http://memorybook.org.ua/9/zaharovdm.htm Захаров Дмитро Андрійович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005080209/http://memorybook.org.ua/9/zaharovdm.htm |date=5 October 2019 }} In 2016, the battalion began the process of technological and organizational modernization and the development of the battalion's own ideology.{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HS-wDuQC9x8|title=СВОЯ ВІЙНА: комбат 503 батальйону Сухаревський: З 2016 по 2018 рік паперообіг в армії виріс у 7 раз|publisher=Бутусов Плюс|date=2019-12-26|access-date=2024-07-24|archive-date=2024-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818125634/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=HS-wDuQC9x8|url-status=live}} In late 2016, the battalion matched 250 km after special training and performed operations in the Mariupol's "gray zone".{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/legendarniy-barsuk-shcho-vidomo-komanduvacha-1718101685.html|title=Легендарний "Борсук". Що відомо про командувача Сил безпілотних систем Сухаревського|website=РБК-Украина|language=uk|access-date=2024-06-17}} forcing the separatists to retreat 4 km from Mariupol. The battalion made a significant contribution for the capture of Dierzkaya height. Quadcopters were inducted into the unit and it became one of the first Ukrainian battalions to induct UAVs for regular combat purposes.{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A2VQ1Y8E6a0|title=ПЕРШИМ в історії ЗНИЩ*В р0с1ян / звільнення ДОНЕЦЬКА/ЄВРОМАЙДАН врятував ЗСУ/ місія в ІРАКУ|publisher=Бомбардир|date=2024-04-18}}
A soldier (Pronchuk Taras Viktorovych) of the battalion was killed while operating on the post on February 16, 2017 as a result of shelling and firing by the separatists in Vodiane.[https://web.archive.org/web/20171024032014/http://memory.rv.ua/прончук-тарас/ Прончук Тарас Вікторович][https://memorybook.org.ua/19/pronchuk.htm Прончук Тарас Вікторович («Людоїд»)] On February 26, 2017 the battalion's post between Talakivka and Pikuzy was attacked by separatists killing a soldier of the battalion (Roman Dmytrovych Napryaglo).[http://memorybook.org.ua/17/napryaglo.htm Напрягло Роман Дмитрович («Ріо»)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628111607/http://memorybook.org.ua/17/napryaglo.htm |date=28 June 2017 }} A soldier (Oleksandr Yuriyovych Veremeyenko
) was killed on March 6, 2017 during a three-hour in Vodiane.[https://hromadskeradio.org/news/2017/03/06/v-rayoni-vodyanogo-zagynuv-19-richnyy-boyec-komandyr-pidrozdilu В районі Водяного загинув 19-річний боєць — командир підрозділу] On March 17, 2017, in another attack on the battalion's position in Vodiane led to the deaths of two soldiers of the battalion (Halaichuk Leonid Leonidovych[http://memorybook.org.ua/4/galaichuk.htm Галайчук Леонід Леонідович («Угрюмий»)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018015551/http://memorybook.org.ua/4/galaichuk.htm |date=18 October 2019 }} and Oleksiy Volodymyrovych Kondratyuk[http://memorybook.org.ua/14/kondratukmarines.htm Кондратюк Олексій Володимирович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205220357/http://memorybook.org.ua/14/kondratukmarines.htm |date=5 December 2019 }}) were killed.[http://umoloda.kiev.ua/number/0/2006/109803 Морпіхи Леонід Галайчук і Олексій Кондратюк загинули від міни під Волновахою] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192523/http://umoloda.kiev.ua/number/0/2006/109803 |date=15 September 2018 }}[https://apostrophe.ua/ua/news/society/accidents/2017-03-18/v-vsu-rasskazali-o-gibeli-dvuh-morpehov-opublikovanyi-foto/90344 У ЗСУ розповіли про загибель двох морпіхів: опубліковано фото] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192535/https://apostrophe.ua/ua/news/society/accidents/2017-03-18/v-vsu-rasskazali-o-gibeli-dvuh-morpehov-opublikovanyi-foto/90344 |date=15 September 2018 }} The battalion's positions in Vodiane were again attacked by separatists on March 20, 2017 but the battalion repelled the attack by two separatists units and counterattacked entering the occupied village of Pikuzy when separatists attacked with heavy artillery, mortars and BM-21 Grads forcing Ukrainians to retreat, two soldiers of the battalion (Dmytro Oleksandrovich Polevy[http://memorybook.org.ua/19/polevy.htm Полєвой Дмитро Олександрович] and Vyacheslav Yosypovych Chernetskyi[http://memorybook.org.ua/27/chernecky.htm Чернецький В'ячеслав Йосипович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710170648/http://memorybook.org.ua/27/chernecky.htm |date=10 July 2017 }}) were killed and five others were wounded.[http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2017/03/20/v-rajoni-naselenogo-punktu-vodyane-vidbuvsya-bij-vijskovosluzhbovcziv-zbrojnih-sil-ukraini-z-drg-protivnika/ В районі населеного пункту Водяне відбувся бій військовослужбовців Збройних Сил України з ДРГ противника][http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2017/03/20/videl-obstrilu-rosijsko-okupaczijnimi-vijskami-n-p-vodyane/ Відео обстрілу російсько-окупаційними військами н.п. Водяне][https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukrmorpeh/permalink/403699913327807/ Детальна інформація] [https://ua.censor.net.ua/video_news/432957/dvoye_nashyh_zagynulo_my_pomstymosya_i_vyyidemo_na_kordon_zi_rasha_federeyishn_u_boyiovykiv_5_dvohsotyh "Двоє наших загинуло. Ми помстимося і вийдемо на кордон зі раша федерейшн. У бойовиків 5 «двохсотих» і 10 — «трьохсотих», — морпіхи про бій біля Водяного] On April 13, 2017, the battalion engaged the separatists near village of Lebedynske during which a soldier of the battalion (Yury Oleksiyovych Derkach) was killed.{{Cite web |url=http://memorybook.org.ua/5/derkachyuri.htm |title=Книга пам'яті |accessdate=20 February 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001070350/http://memorybook.org.ua/5/derkachyuri.htm }} On June 14, 2017, the battalion was reformed into as the 500th Marine Battalion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1822646548053192&set=a.1403034720014379.1073741829.100009235926099&type=3&theater|title=Serg Marco|website=www.facebook.com|language=uk|accessdate=2017-06-15}} On November 16, 2017, the battalion was awarded a combat flag.{{cite web |url=http://www.ukrmilitary.com/2017/11/503obmp.html |title=Президент вручив Бойовий Прапор 503-у окремому батальйону морської піхоти ВМС ЗС Украни |author= |date=2017-11-16 |website=ukrmilitary.com/ |publisher=Ukrainian Military |accessdate=16 November 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117064822/http://www.ukrmilitary.com/2017/11/503obmp.html }}
On January 30, 2018, the battalion engaged separatist forces in Talakivka during which a soldier of the battalion (Artem Viktorovych Skupeyko) was killed in combat.[http://memorybook.org.ua/21/skupeiko.htm Скупейко Артем Вікторович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516175533/http://memorybook.org.ua/21/skupeiko.htm |date=16 May 2019 }} On February 15 2018, the battalion's positions near Vodiane were again shelled killing a soldier (Oleksandr Vasyliovych Grechuk) of the battalion.[http://memorybook.org.ua/4/grechuk.htm Гречук Олександр Васильович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005075825/http://memorybook.org.ua/4/grechuk.htm |date=5 October 2019 }} The battalion's post in Talakivka was attacked by separatists using RPGs on May 16 2018 killing a soldier (Rud Dmytro Serhiyovych) of the battalion.[http://memorybook.org.ua/20/ruddmytro.htm Рудь Дмитро Сергійович] On June 27 2018, in an attack on battalion's positions near Vodyane, a soldier of the battalion (Fedorov Eduard Yuriyovych) was severely wounded and died five days later.[http://memorybook.org.ua/24/fedoroveduard.htm Федоров Едуард Юрійович] In July 2018, the construction of a new military headquarter for the battalion was initiated.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xbUSgkqO4M У МАРІУПОЛІ БУДУЮТЬ ВІЙСЬКОВЕ МІСТЕЧКО ДЛЯ МОРПІХІВ] On August 14 2018, the battalion and separatist militants fought in the village of Hnutove during which a soldier of the battalion (Balakhchi Fyodor Fyodorovych) was killed and three more (including a female soldier) were wounded.[https://memorybook.org.ua/2/balahchi.htm Балахчі Федір Федорович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724043113/https://memorybook.org.ua/2/balahchi.htm |date=24 July 2019 }} In September 2018, heavy fighting once again started in Vodiane and on September 5, 2018 a soldier (Maksym Oleksandrovych Avdienko)[https://memorybook.org.ua/1/avdienko.htm Авдієнко Максим Олександрович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806045206/https://memorybook.org.ua/1/avdienko.htm |date=6 August 2019 }} was killed in a gun fight with militants near the post and another soldier (Serhiy Viktorovych Platonov) was killed on 10 September..[http://memorybook.org.ua/19/platonovserg.htm Платонов Сергій Вікторович] In October 2018, the construction of the Battalion headquarter in the former building of boarding school No. 2 in Mariupol was completed.{{cite web |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/2561731-bataljon-morskoi-pihoti-otrimav-misce-postijnoi-dislokacii-u-mariupoli.html |title=Батальйон морської піхоти отримав місце постійної дислокації у Маріуполі |author= |date=2018-10-18 |website=ukrinform.ua/ |publisher=Укрінформ |accessdate=19 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018220315/https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/2561731-bataljon-morskoi-pihoti-otrimav-misce-postijnoi-dislokacii-u-mariupoli.html }} In November 2018, the battalion switched to a new food rationing system.{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/503-й-батальйон-морської-піхоти-перейшов/|title=503-й батальйон морської піхоти перейшов на нову систему харчування|author=|date=2018-11-01|website=mil.in.ua/|publisher=Український мілітарний портал|accessdate=1 November 2018}}
On April 22, 2019, the commander of the battalion's logistics (Vladyslav Oleksandrovych Sednev) was killed while on duty in the ATO zone{{Cite web |url=http://memorybook.org.ua/21/sednev.htm |title=Архівована копія |accessdate=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005074522/http://memorybook.org.ua/21/sednev.htm }} and a soldier (Oleksandr Serhiyevich Kobtsov) was killed on June 22 2019 in the same area.{{Cite web |url=https://polvisti.com/2019/06/zahynuv-zhytel-polih-viys-kovosluzhbovets-oleksandr-koptsov/ |title=Загинув житель Поліг, військовослужбовець Олександр Кобцов |accessdate=18 October 2019 |archive-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624161938/https://polvisti.com/2019/06/zahynuv-zhytel-polih-viys-kovosluzhbovets-oleksandr-koptsov/ }} In 2019, the battalion, took part in the multinational military exercises Agile Spirit 2019 in Georgia{{Cite web|title=В Грузії завершились навчання Agile Spirit 2019|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/v-gruziyi-zavershylys-navchannya-agile-spirit-2019/|website=Мілітарний|accessdate=2022-03-12|language=ru}} for which Pereyaslav transported the battalion to the port of Poti.{{Cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/pereyaslav-prybuv-z-vizytom-do-gruziyi/|title="Переяслав" прибув з візитом до Грузії| publisher=Мілітарний|date=8 August 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402215544/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/pereyaslav-prybuv-z-vizytom-do-gruziyi/|accessdate=2022-04-02|archivedate=2 April 2022}} After leaving Ukrainian waters it was followed by a Russian warship Kasimov and while returning two Russian ships Zheleznyakov and Naberezhnye Chelny tailed it back to Ukrainian waters.{{cite web | url=http://texty.org.ua/pg/news/textynewseditor/read/97186/Jak_ukrajinski_morpihy_plyvly_do_Gruziji_ | title=Як українські морпіхи пливли до Грузії - попри агресію російського військового корабля (ВІДЕО) | date=2019 }}
The battalion fought in the battle for Shumy during which on June 17 2020 a soldier of the battalion (Ilya Mykolayovych Struk) was killed in action[https://memorybook.org.ua/21/struk.htm Книга пам'яті полеглих за Україну. Струк Ілля Миколайович] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127062006/https://memorybook.org.ua/21/struk.htm |date=27 November 2020 }} and another soldier (Vasyl Serhiyovych Kravchenko) on July 20 2020.{{cite web |title=Втрати липня. На Донбасі впродовж місяця загинули восьмеро захисників України |url=https://tyzhden.ua/News/246257 |website=tyzhden.ua/ |accessdate=8 August 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808234648/https://tyzhden.ua/News/246257 }} Similarly on July 20 2020, another soldier (Overko Kostyantyn Ihorovych) was severely wounded by separatists near the village of Pivdenne and died on September 24 2020 after having undergone more than 30 surgeries.[https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2020/06/21/zvedennya-stanom-na-0700-21-chervnya-2020-roku/ Зведення станом на 07:00 21 червня 2020 року] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814111528/https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2020/06/21/zvedennya-stanom-na-0700-21-chervnya-2020-roku/ |date=14 August 2020 }}[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/09/24/7267564/ У лікарні помер морпіх, якого в червні поранив російський снайпер // УП, 24.09.20] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926014725/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/09/24/7267564/ |date=26 September 2020 }}[https://www.0629.com.ua/news/2889352/tri-mesaca-v-palate-i-30-operacij-v-bolnice-skoncalsa-morpeh-konstantin-overko-foto Три місяці в палаті і 30 операцій. У лікарні помер морпех Костянтин Оверко, — ФОТО. (рос.) 24.09.2020, 17:14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926074006/https://www.0629.com.ua/news/2889352/tri-mesaca-v-palate-i-30-operacij-v-bolnice-skoncalsa-morpeh-konstantin-overko-foto |date=26 September 2020 }}[https://hromadske.ua/posts/u-likarni-pomer-ukrayinskij-morpih-yakogo-she-vlitku-na-donbasi-poraniv-snajper-vin-perenis-ponad-30-operacij У лікарні помер український морпіх, якого ще влітку на Донбасі поранив снайпер. Він переніс понад 30 операцій] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018231057/https://hromadske.ua/posts/u-likarni-pomer-ukrayinskij-morpih-yakogo-she-vlitku-na-donbasi-poraniv-snajper-vin-perenis-ponad-30-operacij |date=18 October 2020 }}[https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/crime/progranij-bij-kostyantina-overka-scho-vidomo-pro-zagiblogo-morpiha-scho-tri-misyatsi-borovsya-za-zhittya.htm Останній бій Костянтина Оверка: що відомо про морпіха, який три місяці боровся за життя // Обозрєватєль, 25.09.20] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926115352/https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/crime/progranij-bij-kostyantina-overka-scho-vidomo-pro-zagiblogo-morpiha-scho-tri-misyatsi-borovsya-za-zhittya.htm |date=26 September 2020 }}[https://censor.net/ua/photo_news/3221420/z_pomerlym_pislya_vajkogo_poranennya_na_donbasi_voyinom_iz_503go_obmp_kostyantynom_overkom_poproschalysya З померлим після важкого поранення на Донбасі воїном із 503-го ОБМП Костянтином Оверком попрощалися в Запоріжжі. ФОТОрепортаж. 26.09.2020, 20:28] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924085145/https://censor.net/ua/photo_news/3221420/z_pomerlym_pislya_vajkogo_poranennya_na_donbasi_voyinom_iz_503go_obmp_kostyantynom_overkom_poproschalysya |date=24 September 2021 }}
On 2 February 2021, in yet another engagement in Shumy, a soldier of the battalion (Dmytro Leonidovych Vlasenko) was killed in action.[https://censor.net/ua/news/3245713/voyin_503go_obmp_dmytro_vlasenko_zagynuv_u_zoni_oos_2_lyutogo_vid_kuli_snayipera_nayimantsiv_rf_foto Воїн 503-го ОБМП Дмитро Власенко загинув у зоні ООС 2 лютого від кулі снайпера найманців РФ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204170215/https://censor.net/ua/news/3245713/voyin_503go_obmp_dmytro_vlasenko_zagynuv_u_zoni_oos_2_lyutogo_vid_kuli_snayipera_nayimantsiv_rf_foto |date=4 February 2021 }} From 19 February 2021, fierce battles broke out again near Horlivka when pro-Russian separatist forces violated the Minsk agreements five times and lasted from the 19th to the 21st of February; multiple casualties were reported on both sides for control of the Western Suburb Region of Mayorsk, the battalion operated in the area of the Yuzhnaya mine and the settlement of Toretsk north of Horlivka and inflicted damage on the separatists with Anatoliy "Shtirlits" Shtefan reporting that the battalion had killed seven separatists near Horlivka while Donetsk People's Republic confirmed five casualties,.the former commandant of Horlivka, Igor Bezler, said that 20 DPR separatists were killed near Horlivka. The battalion also engaged separatists in the village of Verkhniotoretske and on September 12 2021 separatists attacked a truck of the battalion using ATGMs killing a soldier of the battalion (Golub Artur Volodymyrovych).[https://memorybook.org.ua/4/golubartur.htm Книга пам'яті. Голуб Артур Володимирович.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214173936/https://memorybook.org.ua/4/golubartur.htm |date=14 February 2022 }}
In March 2022, the battalion fought in the Battle of Volnovakha, the battalion caused significant losses to the Russian forces forcing them to deploy reserves. During the battle the battalion's deputy commander (Chornomorets Oleg Vasyliovych) was killed in action on 9th March and was awarded Hero of Ukraine.{{cite web |url= https://suspilne.media/402986-majoru-olegu-cornomorcu-z-zitomirsini-posmertno-prisvoili-zvanna-geroa-ukraini/|title= Майору Олегу Чорноморцю з Житомирщини посмертно присвоїли звання Героя України|author= Olena Slobodenyuk|date=3 March 2023 |publisher= Suspilne Novosti|access-date=May 9, 2023}} The battalion's commander (Pavlo Olegovich Sbytov) was also killed in the battle on 11 March.{{Cite web|title=Прийняли на себе удар трьох БТГ: відомо, де загинув львівський морпіх Павло Сбитов|url=https://www.nta.ua/pryjnyaly-na-sebe-udar-troh-btg-vidomo-de-zagynuv-lvivskyj-morpih-pavlo-sbytov/|website=НТА|date=2022-03-12|accessdate=2022-03-12|language=uk}}[https://www.president.gov.ua/news/opir-stijkist-ta-horobrist-nashih-zahisnikiv-dayut-zmogu-zbe-73589 Опір, стійкість та хоробрість наших захисників дають змогу зберегти наш народ і нашу землю — звернення Президента України] [https://www.president.gov.ua/news/prezident-vruchiv-nagorodi-vijskovim-ta-chlenam-rodin-zagibl-74661 Президент вручив нагороди військовим та членам родин загиблих захисників, яким присвоєно звання Героя України] On 5 April, Kadyrovites published a video claiming that 267 soldiers from the 503rd Battalion surrendered to Russia. Former US Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer believed the claim to be spotty, explaining that the captives appeared to be nearly unscathed and wore outfits which did not match the official Ukrainian marines uniform.{{Citation |title='All wrong' Navy Seal picks apart Russia's desperate video of 'Mariupol surrender' |date=5 April 2022 |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1591385/Ukraine-latest-mariupol-surrender-video-russia-propaganda |work=Daily Express |language=en-gb |accessdate=7 April 2022}} On June 3, 2022, the battalion was awarded the honorary award "For Courage and Bravery".{{cite web|date=3 June 2022|title=Про відзначення почесною відзнакою "За мужність та відвагу"|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3862022-42749}} On October 13, 2022, after an exchange of prisoners of war, 20 soldiers returned to Ukraine including some from the battalion in addition to 808th pontoon-bridge regiment, the 56th separate motorized infantry brigade, the 24th, 53rd, 65th and 92nd separate mechanized brigades, the 46th separate amphibious assault brigade, in the Forces of the TrO.{{Cite web |title=Україна повернула з російського полону ще 20 людей. Серед них – 19 воїнів ЗСУ |url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2022/10/13/ukrayina-povernula-z-rosijskogo-polonu-shhe-20-lyudej-sered-nyh-19-voyiniv-zsu/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=armyinform.com.ua |language=uk}} On October 23, 2022, near the village of Opytne, a unit of the battalion performed reconnaissance mission and the unit's commander (Maksym Pavlovich Tokarev) was killed in this operation while saving the lives of others of his unit.{{Cite web | url = https://hromadske.ua/posts/vin-zavzhdi-ishov-pershim-tomu-j-pidirvavsya-istoriya-zagiblogo-vijskovogo-maksima-tokareva | title = «Він завжди ішов першим, тому й підірвався». Історія загиблого військового Максима Токарева | publisher = | author = | date = 2023-01-21 | access-date = | language = }}
The 38th Marine Brigade was formed out of a basis of the battalion in February 2023 as part of an expansion to the Ukrainian Naval Infantry alongside the 37th Marine Brigade.{{cite web |title=Marine Corps to be created in the Ukrainian Armed Forces |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/marine-corps-to-be-created-in-the-ukrainian-armed-forces/ |website=mil.in.ua |access-date=19 June 2023}} On August 9 2023 the battalion's medic (Yarish Serhiy Andriyovych) was killed by Russian forces in Urozhaine.{{Cite web|url=https://rava-mr.gov.ua/news/1691677637/|title=Рава-Руська громада втратила ще одного Героя та мужнього Захисника Батьківщини!|date=2023|website=rava-mr.gov.ua|language=uk|access-date=2024-07-07}} On September 8, 2023 during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, when the Russian forced were concentrating their efforts to the north of the Avdiivka in the Kamianka front,{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sili-oboroni-zaynyali-chastinu-opitnogo-donetskiy-1694347452.html|title=Силы обороны заняли часть Опытного в Донецкой области|date= 10 September 2023|publisher=rbc.ua|language=uk}} the battalion along with 59th Motorized Brigade conducted a coordinated assault operation at Opytne. They entered the village from north, cleared Russian positions, but they were later pushed back to their original positions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.net/war/vsu-zashli-v-opytnoe-no-govorit-o-polnom-kontrole-eshche-rano-glava-avdeevskoy-mva-12389421.html|title=ВСУ зашли в Опытное, но говорить о полном контроле еще рано, - глава Авдеевской ГВА |date= 11 September 2023|publisher=unian.net|language=uk}} On 23 October 2023, another medic of the battalion (Dmytro Mykhailovych Potapenko) was killed by Russian forces in Kherson Oblast.{{Cite web|url=https://mena.cg.gov.ua/index.php?id=39607&tp=1|title=Менська ОТГ|website=mena.gov.ua|access-date=2024-05-02}}
Structure
- Management and Headquarters
- 1st Marine Company
- 2nd Marine Company
- Amphibious Assault Company
- Fire Support Company
- Mortar Battery
- Self propelled artillery Battery
- Anti-aircraft artillery Platoon
- Engineering Platoon
- Anti-aircraft missile Platoon
- Reconnaissance platoon
- Sniper platoon
- Material and Technical Platoon
- Medical center
Commanders
- Sukharevsky Vadym Olegovich (2015-2021){{cite web |url=http://www.peoplesproject.com/news/na-zaxist-morskix-rubezhiv-legendarnij-komandir-ocholit-novij-pidrozdil-morpixiv/ |title=На захист морських рубежів: легендарний командир очолить новий підрозділ морпіхів |website=peoplesproject.com/ |publisher=People’s Project |access-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121103626/http://www.peoplesproject.com/news/na-zaxist-morskix-rubezhiv-legendarnij-komandir-ocholit-novij-pidrozdil-morpixiv/ }}{{Cite web|title=Комбату 503-го ОБМП Сухаревскому присвоили звание подполковника|url=https://censor.net/ru/n3200622|website=Цензор.НЕТ|accessdate=2021-03-10|language=ru|last=Цензор.НЕТ}}
- Sbytov Pavlo Olegovich{{KIA}}(2021-2022)
- Denis Karnaushenko{{Cite web|title=Військово-Морські Сили ЗС України|url=https://t.me/ukrainian_navy/1093|website=Telegram|accessdate=2022-10-26}} (2022-)
In popular culture
Taras Zhytynsky dedicated the song "About Sahaidachny" to the personnel of the battalion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP_CZvoqIe4|title=Пісня про Сагайдачного|last=Zhytynskyi|first=Taras|date=30 July 2018|website=|publisher=|language=uk|accessdate=|archive-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525212522/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP_CZvoqIe4}}
Sources
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWqrYAxfmjQ Будні морпіха. Проект «Захисники Маріуполя»] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005132405/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWqrYAxfmjQ |date=5 October 2019 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170624030112/http://othervision.info/teper-mozhna-rozkrivayemo-strashni-vijskovi-tayemnici/ Тепер можна: розкриваємо страшні військові таємниці]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7ghRXNXf4 500-й бат «на виході»: як загартовують морпіхів] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418131635/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7ghRXNXf4&gl=US&hl=en |date=18 April 2022 }}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zwFDf9ZpRg У небі, на морі, на суші: народження 503-го окремого батальйону морської піхоти] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524135528/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zwFDf9ZpRg |date=24 May 2018 }}
- {{cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/2s1-hvozdyka-na-ozbroyenni-503-batalyonu-morskoyi-pihoty/ |title=2С1 “Гвоздика” на озброєнні 503 батальйону морської піхоти |author= |date=2017-11-18 |website=mil.in.ua/ |publisher=Український мілітарний портал |accessdate=7 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162122/https://mil.in.ua/2s1-hvozdyka-na-ozbroyenni-503-batalyonu-morskoyi-pihoty/ }}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_W4MEnGwO8 «БОРСУКИ» ВІДЗНАЧИЛИ ПЕРШУ РІЧНИЦЮ ВІД ДНЯ СТВОРЕННЯ ЧАСТИНИ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418131636/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_W4MEnGwO8&gl=US&hl=en |date=18 April 2022 }}