Lieutenant ColonelCallsign “Cherkas” Ihor Mykhailenko joined the Azov Battalion in 2014 as a volunteer, commanding an assault group during the liberation of Mariupol and taking part in key battles such as Ilovaisk and Shyrokyne. By late 2014, he was leading the 1st Company and soon became the second commander of the Azov Regiment, holding the position until 2016. After his frontline service, he founded the “Centuria” organization, focusing on civic mobilization and training. Following the start of the full-scale invasion, he returned to active duty, commanding the Azov-Kyiv Special Operations unit and serving as deputy commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade. With the creation of the 3rd Army Corps he became it’s deputy commander. In March, 2026 he was appointed commander of the 53rd Mechanized Brigade.
