2nd Brigade

2nd Brigade “Halytska” is a separate brigade of the Western Territorial Command of the National Guard of Ukraine. The unit was formed on February 10, 1992; however, in 2020, the official date of the brigade’s establishment was changed to July 1, 1992.

The brigade is the only unit in the National Guard with such a wide territorial distribution. Its headquarters are located in the city of Lviv, while line battalions are stationed in Uzhhorod and Ternopil. The brigade also includes Military Unit 3055 in the city of Rivne.

The brigade’s primary tasks include escorting and extraditing detainees, guarding defendants and convicts, and maintaining public order.

On July 16, 2014, the brigade’s servicemen departed for their first rotation. They carried out service and combat missions in the city of Izium, Kharkiv region; in the Sloviansk district of Donetsk region; and in the settlement of Shchastia, Luhansk region. Their first rotation lasted until September 6, 2014.

In the autumn of the same year, the brigade began mobilization and the formation of mobilized battalions. There was very little time to train personnel. On October 1, mobilized servicemen and brigade personnel were deployed to the Sloviansk and Artemivsk districts of Donetsk region. They also served in Debaltseve. From January to March 2015, the area of operations expanded to include the city of Kurakhove.

It was the brigade’s guardsmen who held positions at the so-called Debaltseve Cross under freezing conditions and constant enemy shelling. One sniper later recalled having to remain in position for more than a day while observing enemy movements. During the withdrawal of the 8th Mobilized Battalion from Debaltseve, fortunately, no personnel were killed. Two guardsmen were taken captive and were only able to return home three months later.