9th Unmanned Systems Brigade has been formed

The 9th Motorized Battalion of the 59th Assault Brigade has been expanded into a brigade, as announced on the brigade’s official social media channels. The newly formed brigade has separated from the 59th Assault Brigade and now operates directly under the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces Command. The recent change in the unit’s insignia is likely linked to its expansion.

The 9th Brigade was initially established in 2014 as the 9th Battalion of Territorial Defense “Vinnytsia” and took part in the defense of Novoazovsk that same year. In October 2014, it was reorganized into a motorized battalion and placed under the command of the 30th Mechanized Brigade. On April 22, 2015, the battalion was reassigned to the 59th Mechanized Brigade. On March 9, 2022, Serhii Kotenko, who had commanded the battalion since 2015, was killed near Zaporizhzhia.

The change follows the recently announced reorganization of the 59th Motorized Brigade. On January 24, 2025, MilitaryLand reported that the brigade was restructured into an assault brigade and placed under the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces.