Reform of the 59th Motorized Brigade

The 59th Motorized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces has undergone significant transformation, as announced on the unit’s official social media channels. It has been restructured into the 59th Assault Brigade and reassigned from the Ground Forces to the Unmanned Systems Forces—the newest branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The brigade was established on December 8, 2014, under the Operational Command South. Its formation incorporated three former volunteer territorial defense battalions: the 9th, 10th, and 11th battalions. In 2022, it stood as the sole Ground Forces unit defending the Kherson Oblast against Russian invasion forces. By 2024, a breakaway group from the Da Vinci Wolves unit formed the 108th Mechanized Battalion, operating under the brigade’s command.

According to Yuriy Butusov, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian censor.net, the 59th Brigade experienced significant losses following the appointment of Bohdan Shevchuk as brigade commander in February 2024. In July 2024, paramedic Kateryna Polishchuk publicly urged President Zelenskyy to initiate a criminal investigation against Shevchuk, citing allegations of inhumane treatment of soldiers and substantial casualties under his leadership. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi subsequently ordered an inspection of the brigade, which concluded without identifying any issues.

This marks the second unit to recently depart from the structure of the Ground Forces. In December 2024, the 150th Mechanized Brigade was transferred to the Marine Corps and reorganized as the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade.