Andriy Malakhov Returns to Service and Forms a New Unit

He commanded four battalions over the course of his service. During his final command, however, he was arrested, and his unit was subsequently disbanded. This is the story of Andriy Malakhov, a former serviceman of Ukraine’s 3rd Regiment of Special Operations Forces, who had led the 518th Special Purpose Battalion since its formation in 2022.

As part of the 1st Special Purpose Brigade, later reorganized into the 1st Territorial Defense Brigade, Malakhov’s battalion took part in numerous key engagements, including the Kherson offensive and the Kharkiv counteroffensive.

In 2024, Malakhov was arrested on charges of unauthorized distribution of information after reposting a combat video on his personal social media. According to multiple sources, however, his detention was politically motivated, stemming from his outspoken criticism of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Following these events, the 518th Battalion was officially disbanded.

The New Beginning

Malakhov has since been cleared of all accusations and returned to active duty, where he began forming a new unit, the 153rd Reconnaissance and Strike Battalion. The battalion, part of the 12th Army Corps, includes many former members of the disbanded 518th Battalion.

“I involve people I fought with. These are soldiers from the Special Operations Forces, as well as from volunteer battalions,” Malakhov explained. According to him, the unit’s primary focus will be on the use of modern technologies to maximize the protection and effectiveness of its personnel.

“We will not reinvent anything, because we have already tested these methods. We will apply what we know and refine it,” Malakhov added.

Source: armyinform.com.ua