Linearization of 56th Motorized Brigade

Three separate units under the command of the 56th Motorized Brigade have been reorganized as part of the ongoing restructuring of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. The change has been revealed by the recent posts of 56th Motorized Brigade.

All three units were originally formed in April 2014 under the law “On the Defense of Ukraine.” They began as territorial volunteer formations created during the partial mobilization that followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of fighting in Donbas. In total, 34 such battalions were established. In 2015, most territorial defense battalions were partially demobilized, while those that had distinguished themselves in combat were integrated into newly formed regular units, including the 56th Motorized Brigade.

The New Structure

The 21st Separate Motorized Battalion, originally formed as the 21st Territorial Defense Battalion “Sarmat,” has been reorganized into the 1st Motorized Battalion of the brigade.

The 23rd Separate Motorized Battalion, created as the 23rd Territorial Defense Battalion “Khortytsia,” has become the 2nd Motorized Battalion.

The 37th Separate Motorized Battalion, which began its service as the 37th Territorial Defense Battalion “Zaporizhia,” is now the 3rd Motorized Battalion.

All three units have ceased to exist as separate formations within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This leaves only one separate motorized battalion remaining in the structure of the Ground Forces: the 22nd Motorized Battalion, currently subordinated to the 92nd Assault Brigade.