53rd Mechanized Brigade

53rd Mechanized Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

The brigade was formed in the fall of 2014 to help reinforce the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ combat capabilities following the Russian annexation of Crimea and the separatist threat in the east.

Throughout 2015, the brigade assumed combat duties in the war in Donbas, repulsing pro-Russian separatists in Luhansk Oblast. After this, in September 2015, they were transferred from Luhansk Oblast to Donetsk Oblast by the outskirts of the city of Avdiivka.

In early 2017, the brigade was deployed to hold positions on the Svitlodar Arc and was withdrawn later the same year.

On the eve of Russian full-scale invasion, the unit was deployed on the front near Volnovahka in Donetsk Oblast.