59th Assault Brigade

On 8 December 2016, the commander of Operational Command South named the 59th Brigade the best Ukrainian motorized brigade according to a 2015 summary.{{Cite web|url=http://gayrayrada.gov.ua/druhu-richnytsyu-vid-dnya-zasnuvannya-vidznachyla-59-okrema-motopihotna-bryhada/|script-title=uk:Другу річницю від дня заснування відзначила 59 окрема мотопіхотна бригада {{!}} Гайсинська районна рада|trans-title=The 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade celebrates its second anniversary {{!}} Haisyn district council|website=gayrayrada.gov.ua|language=uk|access-date=2018-01-31}}

On 20 January 2018, the brigade's units returned to garrison in Haisyn from the frontlines. They had been deployed in the combat zone in Donbas in the Pryazovia region since May 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://vn.depo.ua/ukr/vn/gaysinska-59-ta-brigada-povertayetsya-z-peredovoyi-dodomu-foto-20180130718103|script-title=uk:Гайсинська 59-та бригада повертається з передової додому (ФОТО)|trans-title=Haysyn 59th Brigade returns home from the front line (PHOTOS)|work=vn.depo.ua|access-date=2018-01-31}}

The main units of the 59th Brigade were deployed to a camp in the Oleshky Sands at the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Vastly outnumbered by Russian forces advancing from Crimea, most of the brigade withdrew over the Dnieper River to Mykolaiv, where it took part in the city's defense. The 9th "Vinnytsia Scythians" Battalion was sent to cover Melitopol in the early hours of the invasion, and its commander, Serhii Kotenko, was later killed in action near Zaporizhzhia on 9 March 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2023/09/18/7420200/|title=Major General Andrii Sokolov was in charge of the defence of Ukraine's south. An interview covering Chonhar, Kherson and Melitopol|date=2023-09-18|access-date=2024-05-04|first1=Sonia|last1=Lukashova|first2=Yevhen|last2=Buderatskyi|website=Ukrainska Pravda}}{{cite news|last1=Schwirtz|first1=Michael|title=Proud Band of Ukrainian Troops Holds Russian Assault at Bay – for Now|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-beats-russia-mykolaiv.html|access-date=8 March 2022|work=The New York Times|date=6 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://vezha.ua/zagyblomu-komandyru-vinnytskyh-skifiv-prysvoyily-zvannya-geroj-ukrayiny-ta-udostoyily-ordenom-zolota-zirka/|script-title=uk:Загиблому командиру "Вінницьких скіфів" присвоїли звання Герой України та удостоїли орденом "Золота Зірка"|language=uk|access-date=2024-05-09|date=2022-03-21}}

In the Mykolaiv Oblast, units of Ukraine's 59th Brigade were responsible for recapturing the villages of Shevchenkove, {{ill|Kotliareve|uk|Котляреве}}, {{ill|Zelenyi Hai, Mykolaiv Oblast|lt=Zelenyi Hai|uk|Зелений Гай (Шевченківська сільська громада)}}, {{ill|Olenivka, Mykolaiv Oblast|lt=Olenivka|uk|Оленівка (Миколаївський район)}}, and {{ill|Kostiantynivka, Mykolaiv Oblast|lt=Kostiantynivka|uk|Костянтинівка (Первомайська селищна громада)}} east of Mykolaiv.{{cite web|url=https://nikvesti.com/ru/news/public/250430|title=23-летний Герой Украины рассказал, как защищали Херсон в первые часы вторжения России|first=Юлія|last=Ткач|lang=ru|website=НикВести|date=2022-06-20|access-date=2024-05-10}}

From mid-March 2022, units of the 59th Brigade held front line positions in the village of Posad-Pokrovske in Kherson Oblast along with Ukraine's 28th Brigade.{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/11/29/ukraine-russia-kherson-liberate-posad-pokrovske/|title=The Ukrainian Village That Sacrificed Itself for Kherson|first=Stephanie|last=Glinski|date=2024-06-05|access-date=2022-11-29|website=Foreign Policy}}

On the night of 9 November 2022, units of the brigade advanced to the village of Zelenyi Hai.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-offensive-kharkiv-kherson-donetsk/|website=The Washington Post|access-date=3 April 2025|date=29 December 2022|title=Inside the Ukrainian counteroffensive that shocked Putin and reshaped the war|first1=Isabelle|last1=Khurshudyan|first2=Paul|last2=Sonne|first3=Serhiy|last3=Morgunov|first4=Kamila|last4=Hrabchuk}} On 11 November, footage was published of units of the 9th Battalion of the 59th Brigade raised the Ukrainian flag over the village of Blahodatne.{{cite web|url=https://suspilne.media/314518-rosia-navcilasa-vidstupati-na-cij-vijni-so-vidomo-pro-zvilnenna-mikolaivsini-ta-hersonsini/|title="Росія навчилася відступати на цій війні". Що відомо про звільнення Миколаївщини та Херсонщини|first1=Тетяна|last1=Войтюк|first2=Олександра|last2=Бойко|lang=uk|website=Suspilne|access-date=19 January 2025|date=11 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://novynarnia.com/2022/11/11/59-ta-brygada-pidnyala-syno-zhovtyj-prapor-v-blagodatnomu-na-hersonshhyni-video/|title=59-та бригада підняла синьо-жовтий прапор в Благодатному на Херсонщині. ВІДЕО|website=Новинарня|date=11 November 2022|access-date=20 January 2025|lang=uk|first=Людмила|last=Кліщук}}

After the Russian withdrawal from right-bank Kherson Oblast, the brigade was moved to the Donetsk Oblast front, near the village of Pisky.{{cite web|url=https://fakty.com.ua/ua/videos/istoriya-geroya-tankista-yakyj-brav-uchast-u-proryvi-na-hersonshhyni/|date=2023-09-06|script-title=uk:Історія героя-танкіста, який брав участь у прориві на Херсонщині|language=uk|first=Тетяна|last=Наконечна|access-date=2024-05-09}} A combat drone unit attached to the 59th Brigade took part in the battle of Bakhmut under the command of Robert Brovdi.{{Cite news|last=Gall|first=Carlotta|last2=Berehulak|first2=Daniel|date=2023-03-06|title=Ukrainian Soldiers, Nearly Encircled, Push Russians Back|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-bakhmut-battle.html|access-date=2023-03-07|issn=0362-4331}}

During summer 2023, the brigade continued to operate on the Donetsk front.{{Cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/news/zavdannya-maksimalne-nablizhennya-momentu-koli-f-16-dopomozh-85193|script-title=uk:Завдання – максимальне наближення моменту, коли F-16 допоможуть нам тримати якнайдалі російських терористів – звернення Президента України|date=25 August 2023|publisher=President of Ukraine|language=uk}} Units of the brigade, including the 11th Battalion, were positioned on the Pisky-Pervomaiske front outside of the city of Donetsk in June 2023.{{cite web|url=https://novynarnia.com/2023/06/28/59ombr-video/|script-title=uk:"Таке чувство, як "ні шагу назад" у них": як артилерія 59-ї бригади ЗСУ навалює по росіянах під Пісками й Донецьком. ВІДЕО|date=2023-06-28|access-date=2024-05-03|language=uk|website=Новинарня}} By 8 September 2023, the brigade's units had cleared Russian positions and entrenched themselves in Opytne, bringing part of the settlement back under Ukrainian control.{{Cite web|url=https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/591226-vsu-prodvinulis-vozle-opytnogo-i-priblizilis-k-doneckomu-aeroportu-deepstatemap-karty|script-title=uk:ВСУ продвинулись возле Опытного и приблизились к Донецкому аэропорту|date=8 September 2023|publisher=President of Ukraine|language=uk}}

"Chosen Company", a group of volunteers from the United States, Australia, and several other countries, is attached to the 59th Brigade as an assault detachment within the brigade's reconnaissance company. The unit, which was formerly a part of the International Legion, conducted reconnaissance and assault operations during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.{{Citation|title=Truth From The Frontline, Pure Violence – 'Chosen Company' Foreign Fighter Ukraine Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMVm8zbr6eo|access-date=2024-03-15|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2023-11-19|title=Australian man fighting with Ukraine killed in Russian artillery strike|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-20/australian-man-killed-in-ukraine-war/103123870|access-date=2024-03-15|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|language=en-AU}} In 2024, a The New York Times article reported three incidents where members of Chosen Company killed Russian POWs, based on statements made by former members of the company.{{Cite news|last=Gibbons-Neff|first=Thomas|date=2024-07-06|title=In Ukraine, Killings of Surrendering Russians Divide an American-Led Unit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/06/world/europe/ukraine-russia-killings-us.html|access-date=2024-07-08|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-status=deviated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708004055/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/06/world/europe/ukraine-russia-killings-us.html|archive-date=2024-07-08}}

As of July 2024, the 59th Brigade was positioned near Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. Syrskyi ordered an inspection of the 59th Brigade in July 2024 amid losses and accusations of misconduct against its commander, Bohdan Shevchuk,{{cite web|url=https://kyivindependent.com/inspection-of-ukraines-59th-motorized-brigade-finds-management-issues-but-no-criminal-charges/|website=The Kyiv Independent|access-date=24 August 2024|date=15 July 2024|first=Martin|last=Fornusek|title=Syrskyi orders inspection of 59th Motorized Brigade after recent losses}} who had been appointed in April 2024.{{cite web|url=https://kyivindependent.com/inspection-of-ukraines-59th-motorized-brigade-finds-management-issues-but-no-criminal-charges/|title=Inspection of Ukraine's 59th Brigade finds management issues, but no criminal charges laid|date=26 July 2024|access-date=24 August 2024|website=The Kyiv Independent}}

In November 2024, the brigade was positioned near the fortress city of Pokrovsk. It was ordered to stop a Russian penetration along the Zhovte-Novotroyitske-Shevchenko line, but failed to do it. Brigade members complained that they were stretched thin and that the orders were unrealistic.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-15 |title=Battle for Pokrovsk: What’s at stake as Russian forces move within 3 km of strategic Donbas city |url=https://hromadske.ua/en/war/236229-battle-for-pokrovsk-whats-at-stake-as-russian-forces-move-within-3-km-of-strategic-donbas-city |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=hromadske |language=en}}

On 3 January 2025, the brigade was reorganized into an assault brigade and transferred to the Unmanned Systems Forces.[https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/59-tu-brygadu-reorganizuvaly-u-shturmovu-brygadu-bezpilotnyh-system/ 59-ту бригаду реорганізували у штурмову бригаду безпілотних систем]

On 19 May 2025, the commander of the brigade, Lieutenant Colonel {{ill|Bohdan Shevchuk|uk|Шевчук Богдан Володимирович}} was dismissed and replaced by Colonel Oleksandr Sak.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-19 |title=Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reports |url=https://kyivindependent.com/commander-of-ukraines-59th-brigade-suddenly-replaced-media-reports/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}

As of 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:{{Cite web|title=59th Motorized Brigade|url=https://militaryland.net/ukraine/armed-forces/59th-motorized-brigade//|access-date=2023-08-25}}

{{tree list}}

• 59th Motorized Brigade, Haisyn
• Brigade Headquarters and HQ Company
• 20px 9th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Vinnytsia" (military unit A2896)
• Aerial Reconnaissance Unit "Airships"
• 20px 10th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Polissya" (military unit A2960)
• 20px 11th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Kyivan Rus'" (military unit A2980)
• 20px 1st Rifle Infantry Battalion
• 2nd Rifle Infantry Battalion
• 20px 70th Rifle Battalion (military unit A4628)
• 20px Separate Infantry Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves". Commander Serhii Filimonov.
• Tank Battalion (T-64BV and T-72)
• 20px Artillery Group
• Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Observer Battery{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• 1st Self-propelled Artillery Division (D-20){{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• 2nd Self-propelled Artillery Division (2S1 Gvozdika){{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Multiple Rocket Launcher Battery (BM-21 Grad){{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Anti-tank Artillery Division (MT-12 Rapira){{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
• Anti-Aircraft Missile Defense Artillery Battalion
• Reconnaissance Company
• Assault Platoon "Chosen Company" (formerly part of the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine). Commander "Ryan".
• 13px Consolidated UAV Battalion "Inquisition of the 59th Legion"{{Cite news|date=8 December 2023|script-title=uk:ЗСУ знаходять місця ночівлі окупантів і знищують їх гранатами (Відео)|url=https://mil.co.ua/zsu-znahodyat-misczya-nochivli-okupantiv-i-znyshhuyut-yih-granatamy-video/|access-date=15 March 2024|work=Military Courier|language=uk}}
• "Michigan" Group
• "Key" Group
• "Baltic" Group
• "Eyes of Retribution" Group
• Combat Engineer Battalion
• Maintenance Battalion
• Logistic Battalion
• Signal Company
• Radar Company
• Medical Company
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company
• MP Platoon
• Brigade Band
• Training Center
• "Night Samurai" Unit.{{Cite news|date=7 July 2024|script-title=uk:Як навчають і тренують «Нічні самураї» 59 ОМПБр.|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2024/06/08/yak-navchayut-i-trenuyut-nichni-samurayi-59-ompbr-fotoreportazh-armiyainform/|access-date=7 July 2024|work=armiyainform|language=uk}}

{{tree list/end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Ukrainian Ground Forces}}

Category:Motorized brigades of Ukraine

Category:Military units and formations established in 2014

Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the war in Donbas

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