67th Mechanized Brigade Returns to its Roots

Over the past year, there have been many significant changes occurring within the 67th Mechanized Brigade. In the spring of 2024, we reported on the core of the brigade being disbanded after several setbacks and issues emerging from inside. Several units inside the brigade left, forming their own standalone units such as the 108th Assault Battalion or otherwise leaving to join other units such as the 159th Mechanized Brigade, and even the Ukrainian National Guard.

When the brigade finalised its restructuring in October 2024, the command changed, with Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Polyaiev succeeding Colonel Roman Korenyuk. More recently, as we reported, Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Shaptala took over the command of the brigade. Following the recent changes in leadership, the brigade has seemingly returned to its roots, reinstating the old insignia featuring a UAR-15 rifle – a Ukrainian made copy of the Daniel Defense M4 – and a dagger at its center, replacing the newer design with wings and a sword introduced in November 2024.

On May 7, 2025, a Telegram post by the brigade mentioned the reasoning behind changing back to the old insignia.

“We appreciate the history of the legendary 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which was created on the basis of the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps. After all, those who forget their past are not worthy of the future. The Chevron and the slogan we are bringing back today are our sacred symbols, our truth. They have protected us in battles, stood with us through losses and victories, and strike wild fear into the swamp scum that attacked us.”

This marks an intriguing shift in the brigade’s history – a return to its roots that, while unexpected, pays tribute to and preserves the legacy of the original Right Sector and Ukrainian Volunteer Corps that formed the brigade’s core.