Navy forms a coastal defense brigade

The Ukrainian Naval Forces have formed the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade, marking the first coastal defense unit created within the Navy since Crimea’s annexation. Before the annexation by Russia in 2014, Ukraine had the 36th Coastal Defense Brigade, though only parts of it remained loyal and returned to the mainland.

As stated by the post by the Navy’s command, the unit has received YPR-765 vehicles fitted with EOS R400 combat modules and 40mm MK 19 grenade launchers.

According to unconfirmed reports at the time of writing this article, the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade was formed on the basis of the 150th Mechanized Brigade of the 30th Marine Corps. The new brigade has been assigned a new insignia, shown below. It remains unclear whether the brigade has been given a new military unit number or retains the previous one.

The 150th Mechanized Brigade was established in October 2023 during the summer 2023 conscription wave. The unit saw its first major deployment in Toretsk in 2024, where it suffered heavy casualties and lost its combat effectiveness. In December 2024, the brigade was reassigned to the Navy, becoming part of the 30th Marine Corps.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Navy established the 360th Coastal Missile Brigade, equipped with Neptun missile systems. Until now, it has served as the Navy’s only dedicated coastal defense type of unit.