Right Sector fighters join the 159th Mechanized Brigade

In late November 2024, we reported on the completion of the restructuring of the 67th Mechanized Brigade. This saw the Ukrainian leadership eliminate all influence of Right Sector from the brigade due to several controversies and scandals throughout the year. Before that, in late October, we also reported on a battalion of the 67th Mechanized Brigade leaving the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to join the National Guard.

The battalion, on its social media platform; Facebook, changed its name from 1st Rifle Battalion to the 1st Mechanized Battalion – indicating that it had completed transferring elsewhere. However, a recent Facebook post from the battalion indicates that the unit remains part of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, now being part of one of the newly formed brigades – the 159th Mechanized Brigade. The brigade now appears to act as the first linear mechanized battalion in the brigade, providing the experience and qualities needed to help step up the training of fresh mobilized recruits in the newly created brigades.

It is currently unknown why or when the battalion joined the 159th Mechanized Brigade, and why they transferred away from the National Guard. The 159th Mechanized Brigade is one of the newly created brigades, formed in early to mid-2024 due to legislation lowering the conscription age. The brigade was originally designated as an infantry brigade but became one of the first mechanized units in the 150-series of brigades in the Ground Forces. It is expected to be fully combat operation by the first half of 2025.