The reorganization of Kulchitskyi Battalion

The first volunteer unit of the National Guard, the battalion named in honor of Hero of Ukraine Major General Serhiy Kulchitskyi, is currently undergoing reorganization. In March 2025, the battalion was withdrawn from the frontline, marking the beginning of its reformation process.

A Complete Reform

The operational assignment battalion is being restructured into a special purpose unit, with a primary focus on assault operations while also aiming to train universally capable infantrymen. The new formation will include three assault companies, a sniper unit, and various support elements, including a dedicated drone team. Leadership positions at the company and platoon levels are currently being filled from among the unit’s experienced soldiers. Additionally, a team of instructors is being assembled from the battalion’s veterans to train incoming recruits. To support this transformation, a recruitment campaign has been launched to attract patriotic citizens ready to serve.

The National Guard headquarters has equipped the battalion with a sufficient number of AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, marking a transition away from Soviet-era weaponry.

Additionally, the battalion has been reassigned from the Bureviy Brigade to the 27th Pechersk Brigade.

New Commander

In March 2025, Oleksii Zubach was appointed as the commander of the battalion. He began his service in 2006 with the Bars Special Forces unit (now Bureviy Brigade), where he served as a reconnaissance officer. Since 2014, he has been actively involved in the defense of Ukraine.