158th Mechanized Brigade

158th Mechanized Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The brigade was formed in February 2024 on the basis of 21st Rifle Battalion. It was initially formed as the 158th Infantry Brigade due to shortages of mechanized equipment and other vehicles in the defense forces.

In November 2024, the brigade was confirmed to have been reformed into a mechanized formation, becoming the 158th Mechanized Brigade; however, it remained uncertain what equipment the brigade would be equipped with.

Like many other newly created brigades, the brigade was discovered to be undergoing training in Poland in early December 2024, being trained in cooperation with the 11th “Lubuska” Armored Cavalry Division of the Polish Armed Forces. Despite similar units being trained, such as the 153rd Mechanized Brigade, which was trained in Germany, and the 155th Mechanized Brigade, which received French equipment in France, the brigade did not receive any Polish weapons or equipment.

The brigade was deployed in the direction of Tetkino, Kursk Oblast, Russia, in June 2025, being the brigade’s first deployment.

Insignia

The insignia features a traditional chevron with a subdued green border, with the main canvas being a bright blue color. At the core of the insignia is a stylized Simargl in yellow, also commonly known as a Semargl, a Sem, and a Rgel, an East Slavic god or god which is often depicted as a winged dog in mythology. The official variant of the insignia is identical, except for the chevron border being blue and the canvas of the shield being a subdued green.