418th Rifle Battalion

In early May 2023, the battalion carried out combat missions in New York, Donetsk region, being attached to the 24th Mechanized Brigade. For the first three months, the riflemen gained combat experience. In early September 2023, the 418th Battalion was assigned to the 3rd Assault Brigade, with which it carried out extremely difficult combat missions in Andriivka and Klishchiivka. The battalion suffered losses, but despite this, the soldiers held the defense and even counterattacked the enemy. In early October, the 418th, as part of the 77th Air Assault Brigade, took part in battles near Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut district, heroically repelling enemy attacks and eliminating Russian forces. At the beginning of November, the battalion was withdrawn for rest.

By early December, the 418th was already fighting near Bakhmut, in the “Sady” area, known in the battalion as “Dachas.” The riflemen repelled endless assaults, killing the senselessly advancing Russians. Later, the 418th was attached to the “Aidar” battalion, with whom they carried out combat missions in Ivanivske, Bakhmut district. From March to August, the situation was among the most difficult. For over two months, the soldiers defended Chasiv Yar as part of the 18th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. Surrounded, with almost no water, food, or ammunition, the battalion endured the brutal battles thanks to their resilience and indomitable spirit. In mid-August, they broke out of encirclement and continued fighting on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. At the beginning of November, the battalion was withdrawn for recovery.

In April 2025, the battalion was reformed into the 1st Rifle Battalion of 33rd Mechanized Brigade and ceased to exist as a separate unit.