66-та механізована бригада

66-та механізована бригада is a unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, formed in April 2022. The brigade was composed of volunteers and mobilized personnel, the majority of whom were between 45 and 55 years old. Colonel Oleh Dehtyarev was appointed as the brigade’s first commander.

The brigade was among the first units to receive U.S.-made M113 armored personnel carriers. However, it initially lacked a dedicated tank component; as a result, a battalion from the 17th Tank Brigade was attached to reinforce its combat capabilities.

In early August 2022, Colonel Dehtyarev was killed in action near the city of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. Colonel Maksym Suprun subsequently assumed command of the brigade.

In early October 2022, the brigade’s 1st and 2nd Mechanized Battalions took an active part in the liberation of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast.

On August 28, 2023, Colonel Maksym Suprun was replaced as brigade commander by Colonel Yuriy Dvorsky.