80th Air Assault Brigade (Ukraine)

The 80th Airborne Regiment was formed on 3 May 1955 in the Lithuanian SSR, the only non-Guards Soviet airborne regiment.Feskov et al 2013, p. 249 The regiment celebrates its anniversary on 19 December. It originally formed part of the 7th Guards Airborne Division of the Soviet Airborne Forces at Gaižiūnai. The regiment fought in Operation Whirlwind, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, and landed in Budapest on 4 November 1956. In 1959, it transferred to the 104th Guards Airborne Division and was based in Baku. On 22 February 1968, for its achievements in training, the Regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Star.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=10933|title=52-річницю від дня заснування відзначив 80-й окремий ордена Червоної Зірки аеромобільний полк 13-го армійського корпусу Сухопутних військ ЗС України, що дислокується у Львові|date=19 December 2007|access-date=19 December 2007|website=mil.gov.ua|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=52nd Anniversary 80th Airmobile Regiment|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607181522/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=10933}}{{Cite web|title=ІСТОРІЯ 80 ОКРЕМОГО АЕРОМОБІЛЬНОГО ПОЛКУ|url=http://www.usva.org.ua/mambo3/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2515|website=www.usva.org.ua|access-date=31 January 2016|publisher=Ukrainian Union of Veterans of Afghanistan|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=History of the 80th Separate Airmobile Regiment|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131185748/http://www.usva.org.ua/mambo3/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2515}} Division headquarters was at Kirovabad (now Gyandzha) in the Azerbaijan SSR. Carey Schofield writes that the 104th Guards Airborne Division "had only two regiments from 1975 to 1980 after the disbandment of the 80th Guards{{Sic|}} Airborne Regiment in Baku".{{Cite book|title=The Russian Elite: Inside Spetsnaz and the Airborne Forces|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVIsAAAAYAAJ|publisher=Greenhill Books|date=1993|isbn=9781853671555|language=en|first=Carey|last=Schofield|page=135}} In August 1968, the regiment participated in Operation Danube, the crushing of the Prague Spring.{{Cite web|title=80th Guards Parachute Regiment|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/80gvpdp.htm|website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2016-01-29|last=Holm|first=Michael|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325190807/http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/80gvpdp.htm|archivedate=25 March 2016}}

On 3 August 1979, the regiment was disbanded. The 39th Separate Air Assault Brigade was formed from elements of the regiment at Khyriv in Lviv Oblast on 19 December.{{Cite web|url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/vdv.htm|title=Состав и дислокация Воздушно-десантных войск|access-date=10 December 2013|publisher=vad777|archive-date=10 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210231617/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sssr-89-91/vdv.htm|language=Russian|trans-title=Composition and deployment of the Airborne troops}} The 40th Separate Air Assault Brigade was formed in Mykolaiv from other parts of the regiment.{{Cite web|title=40th independent Landing-Assault Brigade|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/40odshbr.htm |website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2016-01-29|last=Holm|first=Michael|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109002747/http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/40odshbr.htm|archivedate=9 January 2016}} In January 1980, the 1st Battalion of the 39th Separate Air Assault Brigade was deployed to Termez for fighting in the Soviet–Afghan War and became the 48th Separate Air Assault Battalion. The battalion was absorbed by the 66th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade in May.{{Cite web|title=48th independent Landing-Assault Battalion|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/48odshb.htm|website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2016-01-29|last=Holm|first=Michael|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109163715/http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/48odshb.htm|archivedate=9 January 2016}} In 1986, the 39th Brigade participated in the Chernobyl cleanup. Between January and April 1990, the 39th Separate Air Assault Brigade was deployed to restore order in during the first Nagorno-Karabakh War.{{Cite web|title=39th independent Landing-Assault Brigade|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/39odshbr.htm|website=www.ww2.dk|access-date=2016-01-29|last=Holm|first=Michael|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108234659/http://www.ww2.dk/new/vdv/39odshbr.htm|archivedate=8 January 2016}}{{Cite web|title=ІСТОРІЯ 80 ОКРЕМОГО АЕРОМОБІЛЬНОГО ПОЛКУ|url=http://www.khust-vlada.gov.ua/index.php?aid=1100&lch=ukr|website=www.khust-vlada.gov.ua|access-date=31 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=History of the 80th Separate Airmobile Regiment|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131185839/http://www.khust-vlada.gov.ua/index.php?aid=1100&lch=ukr}}

In June 1990 the 39th Separate Air Assault Brigade became the 224th Training Center of the Soviet Airborne Forces. The brigade included the 1st and 2nd Airborne Training Battalions, as well as an artillery training battalion. In May 1992 the training center became part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In September 1993, the 224th Training Center was renamed the 39th Separate Airborne Brigade.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vdvua.net/%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B1%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%8E-%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B4/|title=Десантники вкрили себе славою легендарних воїнів|date=19 August 2016|work=Unofficial website of the Ukrainian Airmobile Forces|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Paratroopers won the honor of legendary warriors|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913043443/http://www.vdvua.net/%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8-%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B1%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%8E-%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B4/|archive-date=13 September 2016|url-status=dead}} It became the 6th Separate Airmobile Brigade on 1 November 1995. The brigade participated in Exercise Peaceshield in 1995 and 1996. In December 1999, the brigade was reorganized into the 80th Airmobile Regiment.

File:Defense.gov News Photo 000717-A-4074B-014.jpg during Exercise Peaceshield 2000]]

In July 2000, the regiment participated in Exercise Peaceshield 2000 with US troops and forces from other countries.{{Cite book|title=Strengthening Transatlantic Security: A U.S. Strategy for the 21st Century|publisher=United States Department of Defense|year=2000|pages=37|url=http://www.dod.gov/pubs/eurostrategy2000.pdf |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221065628/http://www.dod.gov/pubs/eurostrategy2000.pdf|archivedate=21 December 2016}} In April 2003, the regiment was moved to Lviv. In 2004, the regiment was scheduled to be sent to Iraq as part of the Ukrainian contingent there. An airmobile battalion, mortar batteries, an engineer platoon, a chemical defense platoon, communications company and military police company were drawn from the regiment and deployed to Iraq on 15 May 2005 as the 81st Tactical Group.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gazeta.lviv.ua/articles/2005/04/14/4442/|title=Проводи в Ірак|date=14 April 2007|work=Lviv Gazeta|access-date=9 January 2006|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Seeing Iraq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109233957/http://www.gazeta.lviv.ua/articles/2005/04/14/4442/|archive-date=9 January 2006}} The troops were part of Multinational Division Central-South and were withdrawn at the end of the year, the last Ukrainian unit in Iraq.{{Cite web|title=ВІЙСЬКОВА СИМВОЛІКА /МИРОТВОРЧІ ПІДРОЗДІЛИ ЗСУ|url=http://uht.org.ua/ua/part/vijsjkova_symvolika/myrotvorchi/|website=uht.org.ua|access-date=29 January 2016|publisher=Ukrainian Heraldry Society|trans-title=Military Symbols / UAF Peacekeeping Units|language=Ukrainian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129213506/http://uht.org.ua/ua/part/vijsjkova_symvolika/myrotvorchi/|archive-date=29 January 2016}} In 2006, the regiment contributed troops to the Kosovo Force UkrPolBat joint Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping battalion.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=7847|title=З поверненням на Батьківщину останньої групи українських миротворців з Косового завершилася чергова ротація національної складової спільного українсько-польського миротворчого батальйону "УкрПолбат" багатонаціональної тактичної групи "East" сил КФОР|date=11 August 2006|access-date=7 June 2011|website=mil.gov.ua|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607181438/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=7847|archive-date=7 June 2011|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Ended regular rotation the Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping battalion "UkrPolBat"}}

A mortar barrel rupture during a tactical exercise of the regiment's 1st mortar battery mortally wounded four soldiers on 6 August 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=12500|title=На Яворівському загальновійськовому полігоні внаслідок розриву ствола міномету отримали поранення чотири військовослужбовці|date=6 August 2008|access-date=18 February 2012|website=mil.gov.ua|archive-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218231740/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=12500|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Four soldiers wounded by mortar barrel rupture in Yavoriv}} On 27 May 2010, the regiment was visited by then-President Viktor Yanukovych.{{Cite web|title=Президент України Віктор Янукович відвідав 80-й окремий аеромобільний полк|url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=243437410&cat_id=248446145|website=www.kmu.gov.ua|access-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129211312/http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=243437410&cat_id=248446145|archive-date=29 January 2016|trans-title=President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych visited 80th Separate Airmobile Regiment}}

File:Ruins of Donetsk International airport (38), 16 January 2015.jpg

On 25 November 2013, the regiment became the 80th Airmobile Brigade.{{Cite news|url=http://uacrisis.org/30533-80th-airmobile-brigade-heroes-of-the-luhansk-airport|title=80th Airmobile Brigade. Heroes of the Luhansk Airport|date=5 August 2015|work=Ukraine Crisis Media Center|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923141210/http://uacrisis.org/30533-80th-airmobile-brigade-heroes-of-the-luhansk-airport|archivedate=23 September 2016}} In the spring of 2014, after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the brigade covered the Ukraine–Russia border in Poltava and Sumy Oblasts. Between 7–8 April 2014, the brigade relocated to defend the Luhansk Airport. The brigade defended the airport until September, when a Russian attack forced them to retreat.{{Cite web|url=http://tyzhden.ua/Society/153279|title=80-та аеромобільна. Невідомий подвиг оборони Луганського аеропорту|website=tyzhden.ua|date=6 December 2015 |language=Ukrainian |trans-title=80th airborne. Unknown feat defense Lugansk airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214075104/http://tyzhden.ua/Society/153279|archive-date=2015-12-14|access-date=2016-01-29}} The brigade fought in the battle for Shchastia in June 2014. During a night battle on 17–18 June, 11 personnel from the brigade and the 128th Mountain Brigade were killed.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/18/7029478/|title=У нічному бою на Луганщині загинуло 15 військових, доля ще 13 невідома|date=18 June 2014|access-date=29 January 2016|trans-title=15 military personnel killed in Luhansk Oblast night battle, fate of 13 still unknown|work=Ukrayinska Pravda|language=Ukrainian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129212824/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/06/18/7029478/|archive-date=29 January 2016}} On 1 August, the brigade ambushed a separatist column moving from Sukhodilsk to Luhansk, destroying seven tanks, five armored vehicles, 3 BM-21 Grad MLRS, seven cars with ammunition and killing 120–150 separatists.{{Cite news|url=http://www.unian.ua/politics/946787-lvivski-desantniki-znischili-kolonu-teroristiv-scho-ruhalasya-do-luganska.html|title=Львівські десантники знищили колону терористів, що рухалася до Луганська|date=2 August 2014|agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency|access-date=30 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Lviv paratroopers destroyed a terrorist column moving to Luhansk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509102527/http://www.unian.ua/politics/946787-lvivski-desantniki-znischili-kolonu-teroristiv-scho-ruhalasya-do-luganska.html|archive-date=9 May 2015}} On 5 September, personnel from the brigade and the Aidar Battalion were {{Interlanguage link|Vesela Hora ambush|uk|Засідка під Веселою Горою|lt=ambushed|WD=}} between Luhansk and Metalist at Vesela Hora. 40 bodies of men from both units were returned by the separatists after negotiations.{{Cite news|url=http://espreso.tv/news/2014/09/09/boyovyky_povernuly_batalyonu_quotaydarquot_tila_40_zahyblykh_u_zasidci|title=Бойовики повернули батальйону "Айдар" тіла 40 загиблих у засідці|date=9 September 2014|work=espreso.tv|access-date=30 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Militants returned bodies of Aidar Battalion 40 killed in ambush|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140909164028/http://espreso.tv/news/2014/09/09/boyovyky_povernuly_batalyonu_quotaydarquot_tila_40_zahyblykh_u_zasidci|archivedate=9 September 2014}} 28 unidentified bodies were buried at Starobilsk on 2 October.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-iac/1713529-moskal_stav_na_kolina_pered_zagiblimi_silovikami_video_1977547.html|title=Москаль став на коліна перед загиблими силовиками|date=2 October 2014|work=Ukrinform|access-date=30 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Moskal knelt on knees before the dead of the security forces|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130223521/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-iac/1713529-moskal_stav_na_kolina_pered_zagiblimi_silovikami_video_1977547.html|archive-date=30 January 2016}} On the night of 13–14 October, the brigade reconnaissance group repulsed attacks by the separatist Don Battalion, which was attempting to penetrate Ukrainian territory at the {{Interlanguage link|Battle of the 32nd Checkpoint|uk|Бої_за_32-й_блокпост|lt=32nd Checkpoint|WD=}}.{{Cite news|url=http://espreso.tv/news/2014/10/14/na_luhanschyni_za_ostannyu_dobu_zahynuly_dvoye_ukrayinskykh_viyskovykh____oda|title=На Луганщині за останню добу загинули двоє українських військових, – ОДА|date=14 October 2014|work=espreso.tv|access-date=31 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Yesterday Luhansk Oblast killed 2 Ukrainian military personnel – OSA|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20141014143354/http://espreso.tv/news/2014/10/14/na_luhanschyni_za_ostannyu_dobu_zahynuly_dvoye_ukrayinskykh_viyskovykh____oda|archivedate=14 October 2014}} On 28 October, seven brigade personnel were released from captivity by the separatists.{{Cite news|url=http://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1400848-z-polonu-zvilneno-viyskovikh-80-aeromobilnoyi-brigadi-p-poroshenko|title=З полону звільнено військових 80 аеромобільної бригади – П.Порошенко|date=28 October 2014|work=UNN|access-date=31 January 2016|trans-title=From captivity freed 80th Airmobile Brigade personnel – P. Poroshenko|language=Ukrainian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131100859/http://www.unn.com.ua/uk/news/1400848-z-polonu-zvilneno-viyskovikh-80-aeromobilnoyi-brigadi-p-poroshenko|archive-date=31 January 2016}}

The brigade's 3rd Battalion fought in the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport in January 2015. The unit became known as the "Cyborgs" along with other Ukrainian units defending Donetsk Airport. Along with the 90th Separate Airborne Battalion of the 81st Airmobile Brigade, the unit was forced to retreat from the new airport terminal,{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/13/inside-bloody-battle-ukraines-donetsk-airport-304115.html|title=Inside the Bloody Battle for Ukraine's Donetsk Airport|last=Carroll|first=Oliver|date=2 March 2015|work=Newsweek|access-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115338/http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/13/inside-bloody-battle-ukraines-donetsk-airport-304115.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}} reportedly under heavy artillery fire and chemical attack. Over 50 soldiers from both units died in the fighting between 19 and 21 January.{{Cite news|url=http://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/day-after-day/cyborgs-do-we-deserve-our-defenders|title="Cyborgs." Do we deserve our defenders?|last=Prokopenko|first=Maria|date=19 January 2016|work=Den|access-date=29 January 2016|archive-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129215739/http://www.day.kiev.ua/en/article/day-after-day/cyborgs-do-we-deserve-our-defenders}} After the Ukrainian withdrawal from the airport on 21 January, at least 15 soldiers from the brigade were captured by the separatists. Several of the soldiers were subjected to frequent beatings.{{Cite news|title=Ukrainian 'Cyborg': 'They Tried To Break Me, But It Didn't Work'|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/ukrainian-cyborg-prisoner-of-war-torture-beating-donetsk/27197605.html|date=19 August 2015|access-date=2016-01-29|language=English|first=Halyna|last=Tereshchuk|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|archive-date=2016-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129220900/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukrainian-cyborg-prisoner-of-war-torture-beating-donetsk/27197605.html}}

File:Humvee 80 airborne brigade Ukraine.png

Since at least May 2015, the brigade has been equipped with 28 M1114 Up-Armored Humvees.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukrmilitary.com/2015/04/hmmwv.html|title=Багатоцільовий автомобіль HMMWV: служба в ЗСУ|date=13 April 2015|publisher=Ukrainian Military Pages|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=HMMWV Multipurpose Vehicle: Service in the Armed Forces|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816223105/http://www.ukrmilitary.com/2015/04/hmmwv.html|archivedate=16 August 2016}}

File:Парад войск - Troops parade (28583664123).jpg

File:Львівські десантники здійснюють стрибки з парашутом (30260955818).jpg

On 24 August 2015, President Petro Poroshenko presented the brigade a battle flag for bravery and courage during a review in Kyiv on the 24th anniversary of Ukrainian independence; by this time, it had been redesignated as the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade.{{Cite web|title=24-ту річницю Незалежності Україна відзначила урочистим Маршем – Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/news/24-tu-richnicyu-nezalezhnosti-ukrayina-vidznachila-urochisti-35844|website=Office of the President of Ukraine|access-date=30 January 2016|trans-title=24th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine noted in review|language=Ukrainian|date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145714/http://www.president.gov.ua/news/24-tu-richnicyu-nezalezhnosti-ukrayina-vidznachila-urochisti-35844|archive-date=24 September 2015}} Brigade Junior sergeant and medic Igor Zinych was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine on 14 October for his actions in caring for the wounded at Donetsk Airport.{{Cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/news/prezident-prisvoyiv-zvannya-geroj-ukrayini-mediku-dapu-igory-36154|title=Президент присвоїв звання Герой України медику ДАПу Ігорю Зіничу (посмертно), танкістам Василю Божку та "кіборгу" Євгену Межевікіну|website=Office of the President of Ukraine|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=President awards title Hero of Ukraine to Medic Igor Zinych (posthumously), tanker Vasily Bozhko and "cyborg" Eugene Mezhevikinu|access-date=2016-03-22|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405152547/http://www.president.gov.ua/news/prezident-prisvoyiv-zvannya-geroj-ukrayini-mediku-dapu-igory-36154|archivedate=5 April 2016}} On 18 November 2015, the brigade's Order of the Red Star award was removed as part of a general removal of Soviet awards and decorations from Ukrainian military units.{{Cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568|title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №646/2015|date=21 November 2015|publisher=President of Ukraine|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Ukaz President of Ukraine No. 646/2015|access-date=14 August 2016|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831090416/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568|archivedate=31 August 2016}} In June 2016, a platoon of the brigade participated in the multinational Anakonda 16 exercise at Nowa Dęba training ground, attached to a Polish battalion.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2016/06/07/litpolukrbrig-starts-a-realistic-training-near-nowa-deba/|title=LITPOLUKRBRIG starts a realistic training near Nowa Dęba|date=7 June 2016|publisher=Ministry of Defence of Ukraine|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608131016/http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2016/06/07/litpolukrbrig-starts-a-realistic-training-near-nowa-deba/|archivedate=8 June 2016}} In August 2016, the brigade's mortar platoon and some of its staff officers participated in the multinational Flaming Thunder exercises Pabradė Training Area in Lithuania.{{Cite news|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukrainian-paratroopers-will-participate-in-2016-flaming-thunder-drills-in-lithuania-707446.html|title=Ukraine paratroopers to take part in 2016 Flaming Thunder drills in Lithuania|date=31 July 2016|work=Ukraine Today|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905100807/http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukrainian-paratroopers-will-participate-in-2016-flaming-thunder-drills-in-lithuania-707446.html|archivedate=5 September 2016}} On 23 August, former brigade commander Andriy Kovalchuk was awarded the titile Hero of Ukraine for his leadership.{{Cite web|url=http://ukrgeroes.narod.ru/KovalchukAT.htm|title=Ковальчук Андрій Трохимович|website=ukrgeroes.narod.ru|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Kovalchuk Andrey Trokhymovych|access-date=2016-08-30|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913183758/http://ukrgeroes.narod.ru/KovalchukAT.htm|archivedate=13 September 2016}}

As of June 2017, elements of the brigade, equipped with Humvees, defended positions at Pisky, near Donetsk Airport.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/life-in-ruins.html|title=Russia's War Against Ukraine: Life in Ruins|last=Ponomarenko|first=Ilia|date=1 June 2017|work=Kyiv Post|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821150727/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/life-in-ruins.html|archive-date=21 August 2017|url-status=live}} On 2 August, brigade commander Colonel Volodymyr Shvorak stated that the losses of the brigade in the Donbas amounted to 104 killed, seven missing, and 542 wounded, most of which were suffered during the defense of the Luhansk airport in late 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://city-adm.lviv.ua/news/society/public-sector/243047-mer-lvova-pryvitav-viiskovykh-80-i-bryhady-z-dnem-zakhysnyka-ukrainy|title=Братство десанту|last=Savelyev|first=Mykola|date=3 August 2017|work=Ratusha|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084925/http://city-adm.lviv.ua/news/society/public-sector/243047-mer-lvova-pryvitav-viiskovykh-80-i-bryhady-z-dnem-zakhysnyka-ukrainy|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Airborne Brotherhood}}

Early into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, units of the 80th Brigade took up the defense of Shylova Balka near Nova Kakhovka, participating in battles for the area until 28 February 2022. At least 12 members of the brigade have been identified as having been killed in action during the fighting at this location, including a deputy commander of the 3rd Battalion and a platoon commander in the 1st Battalion.{{cite web|access-date=1 February 2025|title=День пам’яті захисників України. Герої, які полягли в боях за Шилову Балку|date=29 August 2023|language=uk|url=https://kakhovka.rayon.in.ua/news/628910-den-pamyati-zakhisnikiv-ukraini-geroi-yaki-polyagli-v-boyakh-za-shilovu-balku|website=Район.Каховка}}

The brigade took part in the defense of Voznesensk in March 2022.{{cite news |last1=Trofimov |first1=Yaroslav |date=16 March 2022 |title=A Ukrainian Town Deals Russia One of the War's Most Decisive Routs |website=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-voznesensk-town-battle-11647444734 |access-date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324034324/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-russia-voznesensk-town-battle-11647444734 |url-status=live }} Units of the brigade claimed to have captured an unnamed village in the Mykolaiv Oblast in March 2022.{{cite web|url=https://novynarnia.com/2022/03/21/desantnyky-80-yi-brygady/|language=uk|access-date=20 January 2025|title=Десантники 80-ї бригади вибили росіян із села на Миколаївщині|date=21 March 2022|website=Новинарня|first=Людміла|last=Кліщук}} The brigade claimed to have recaptured several unspecified settlements in southern Ukraine in April 2022.{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/lvivski-desantnyky-zvilnyly-kilka-ukrayinskyh-naselenyh-punktiv/|lang=uk|access-date=20 January 2025|website=Militarnyi|title=Львівські десантники звільнили кілька українських населених пунктів|date=14 April 2022}}

By September 2022, elements of the brigade were also identified via social media posts to be taking part in the southern counteroffensive.{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Joshua |date=2022-09-08 |title=WATCH: Ukraine's 80th Airborne Brigade ambush Russian car in Kherson Region |url=https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/09/08/watch-ukraines-80th-airborne-brigade-ambush-russian-car-in-kherson-region/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Euro Weekly News |language=en-GB}}

Members of the brigade were seen reaching the outskirts of Kupiansk alongside SBU Alpha Group, 92nd Mechanized Brigade, and the 25th Airborne Brigade. That same day, the Kyiv Post announced the liberation of the city, despite the Ukrainian Armed Forces operational silence.{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian Forces Capture Key Town as Counteroffensive Gathers Pace: Kyiv |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-counteroffensive-kharkiv-kupiansk-sbu-1741779 |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=MSN |date=10 September 2022 |language=en-US}} The UK Ministry of Defence commented, suggesting that the capture of the city dealt a "significant blow" due to Russian supply nodes routing to the Donbas region.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Brendan |date=2022-09-10 |title=Russia taken by surprise as Ukraine counterattack advances 30 miles: U.K. |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-ministry-defense-counteroffensive-surprise-1741732 |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}

In February 2023 the brigade took part in the battle of Bakhmut,{{Cite news |date=22 February 2023|access-date=22 February 2023|language=English|title=Zelenskyy comments on achievements on the front and reveals plans for further sanctions against Russia|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/02/22/7390559/|work=Ukrainska Pravda}} and was later involved in operations on the Bakhmut front during the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.{{Cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/news/zavdannya-maksimalne-nablizhennya-momentu-koli-f-16-dopomozh-85193|title=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}}

In August 2024, the brigade was among the first to enter Russia's Kursk Oblast as part of the Ukrainian operation there,{{cite web|language=uk|access-date=19 March 2025|date=11 January 2025|title=Тактика росіян на Курщині дуже змінилась. Вони нагнали свого м’яса і проводять штурми, - ДШВ|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3529715/okupanty-aktyvno-vlashtovuyut-m-yasni-shturmy-na-kurschyni|first=Ірина|last=Дашківська|website=Цензор.Нет}} which it took part it until the 2025 Ukrainian withdrawal.{{Cite web |last=Segura |first=Cristian |title=Dispute with US has weakened the morale of Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Kursk |date=12 March 2025 |work=El Pais |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-03-12/dispute-with-us-has-weakened-the-morale-of-ukrainian-soldiers-fighting-in-kursk.html }}

Soldiers from the brigade have served in Afghanistan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Iraq.

As of 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:

• 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, Lviv
• Brigade’s Headquarters
• 1st Air Assault Battalion
• 2nd Air Assault Battalion
• 3rd Air Assault Battalion
• Tank Company
• Artillery Group (Brigade artillery group equipped with 2S1 self-propelled artillery vehicles).{{Cite web |title=80 окрема десантно-штурмова бригада ДШВ ЗСУ |url=https://www.facebook.com/80brigade |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}
• Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery
• 1st Self-propelled Artillery Battalion
• 2nd Self-propelled Artillery Battalion
• Rocket Artillery Group
• Anti-Tank Group
• Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
• Reconnaissance Company
• Aerial Reconnaissance Group "Foxtrot".{{Cite web |title=ОПЕРАТОР РОЗВІДУВАЛЬНИХ Й УДАРНИХ БПЛА|url=https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-rozviduvalnykh-y-udarnykh-bpla-do-aeromobilnoho-batalyonu-80-odshbr/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.lobbyx |language=uk}}
• Strike FPV Unit "Griffin"
• Engineer Battalion
• Logistic Company
• Maintenance Company
• Signal Company
• Radar Company
• Medical Company
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company

• Colonel Mykhailo Koval (26 May 1992–1 September 1995)
• Colonel Mykola Novak (September 1995–October 1998)
• Colonel Ihor Stelmakh (October 1998–June 2000)
• Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Surovniev (June 2000–February 2001)
• Lieutenant Colonel Mykola Tkachenko (February 2001–September 2004)
• Colonel Ihor Overin – (September 2004–January 2007){{Cite news|url=http://zik.ua/ua/news/2005/02/15/602|title=Яворівський 80-ий аеромобільний полк готовий до ротації в Ірак, де замінить 6-ту окрему механізовану бригаду|date=16 February 2005|work=ZIK (Western Information Corporation)|access-date=12 February 2012|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Yavoriv 80th Airmobile Regiment ready for Iraq rotation, will replace 6th Separate Mechanized Brigade|archive-date=12 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212023344/http://zik.ua/ua/news/2005/02/15/602}}
• Lieutenant Colonel (later Colonel) Viktor Kopachynskii (2008{{Cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=11352|title=Військовослужбовці 80-го окремого аеромобільного полку 13-го армійського корпусу Сухопутних військ ЗС України демонструють свої вміння з вогневої, тактичної повітряно-десантної підготовки під час польового виходу|date=26 February 2008|access-date=18 February 2012|website=mil.gov.ua|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=80th Airmobile Regiment servicement demonstrate skills|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218230930/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=11352|archive-date=18 February 2012}}{{Endash}}March 2015){{Cite news|url=http://www.newsru.ua/arch/ukraine/24mar2015/naslyjby.html|title=До Міноборони та Генштабу переведено вісім бойових комбригів|date=24 March 2015|work=news.ru.ua|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=To the defense ministry and General Staff promoted eight combat brigade commanders|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915020057/http://www.newsru.ua/arch/ukraine/24mar2015/naslyjby.html|archivedate=15 September 2016}}
• Colonel Andrii Kovalchuk (2015{{Cite web|title=80 окрема десантно-штурмова бригада святкує свій день народження|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2015/12/19/80-okrema-desantno-shturmova-brigada-svyatkue-svij-den-narodzhennya--/|publisher=Ministry of Defence of Ukraine|access-date=31 January 2016|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=80th Airmobile Brigade celebrates its birthday|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131191648/http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2015/12/19/80-okrema-desantno-shturmova-brigada-svyatkue-svij-den-narodzhennya--/}}{{En dash}}March 2016)
• Colonel Volodymyr Shvorak (2016–2022){{Cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2016/06/10/do-lvivskih-desantnikiv-zavitali-shkolyari--/|title=До львівських десантників завітали школярі|date=10 June 2016|publisher=Ministry of Defense of Ukraine|language=Ukrainian|trans-title=Paratroopers visit Lviv students|access-date=2016-08-30|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911163548/http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2016/06/10/do-lvivskih-desantnikiv-zavitali-shkolyari--/|archivedate=11 September 2016}}
• Colonel Ihor Skybiuk (2022–2023)
• Colonel Emil Ishkulov (2023–2024)
• Colonel Pavlo Rozlach (2024–present){{Cite web |title=Commander of Ukraine’s 80th Air Assault Brigade reveals details of his men crossing Russian border before Kursk operation |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/14/7479625/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book|title=Вооруженные силы СССР после Второй Мировой войны: от Красной Армии к Советской|last1=Feskov|first1=V.I.|last2=Golikov|first2=V.I.|last3=Kalashnikov|first3=K.A.|last4=Slugin|first4=S.A.|publisher=Scientific and Technical Literature Publishing|year=2013|isbn=9785895035306|location=Tomsk|language=Russian|trans-title=The Armed Forces of the USSR after World War II: From the Red Army to the Soviet: Part 1 Land Forces}}

{{notelist}}

Category:Airmobile brigades

Category:Military units and formations established in 2013

Category:Brigades of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces

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

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