Forging an Identity of 153rd Brigade

The 153rd Mechanized Brigade is in the process of approving its official insignia. Despite being a relatively new formation, only about two years old, its soldiers have already distinguished themselves in battles in hotspots such as Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. However, it turns out that the brigade does not yet have an officially approved emblem. While the wild boar they often use as a symbol is recognizable, it remains an unofficial. To address the situation, recently, the creators proposed not just a new sleeve insignia, but an original emblem with historical significance — a boat (from the Old Rus’ word “лодья” — “boat”) on wheels.

Creation of New Insignia

The 153rd Brigade had two versions of a sleeve insignia, but neither was ever officially approved. It’s important to note that there is a specific procedure for developing and approving a sleeve insignia, which requires approval from the high command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, neither the boar nor the other insignia went through this official process and remained unofficial.

Kyiv historian Andriy Koval, now serving in the 153rd Brigade’s psychological‑support unit, proposed creating the new insignia. The process began with the brigade drafting an initial concept: outlining the look of the insignia, the elements it should contain, and the reasons for each detail. This concept—complete with a written rationale and technical drawings—was first submitted to the brigade’s headquarters and then forwarded to the Central Directorate for the Development of Material Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At that level, heraldic specialists refine the design to ensure it complies with every official standard: color palette, symbolic traditions, and the formal rules of Ukrainian military heraldry. Their job is crucial, because a sleeve badge is more than a decoration—it is an integral part of the Armed Forces’ heraldic system. The experts therefore confirm that only colors and symbols appropriate to the service branch appear on the emblem, and that no extraneous elements slip into the final artwork.

The goal was not merely to design a distinctive sleeve badge, but to highlight the deep continuity between today’s Ukrainian Army and centuries‑old military traditions—traditions the enemy still tries to erase. To achieve that, Andriy Koval looked well beyond recent liberation struggles and even the Cossack era, delving into medieval history. While rereading Nestor’s The Tale of Bygone Years, he rediscovered Prince Oleh’s daring 907 campaign against Constantinople. Faced with the Byzantine chain that barred ships from the harbor, Oleh devised an audacious solution: he ordered his warriors to haul their boats ashore, fit them with wheels, and roll them overland to the city walls—turning river craft into land vehicles and catching the defenders off‑guard.

This ingenious maneuver, symbolizing adaptability and resolve, inspired the brigade’s new emblem: a medieval Rus’ boat mounted on wheels. The idea was well received, and the emblem is currently in the final stage, awaiting approval from the highest command.

Beginning of a New Legacy

It is notable to mention that the brigade’s first unofficial insignia, once a placeholder, has now been adopted by the 1st Rifle Battalion of the brigade, preserving a piece of the unit’s early identity. As the brigade continues to evolve on the battlefield, its new insignia becomes more than just a patch, it’s a statement of identity, pride, and legacy. Whether it is met with pride or pushback, the new emblem marks a new chapter in this rather newly formed brigade’s story.