Azov Brigade

Azov Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian National Guard.

The unit was formed in the city of Berdyansk on May 5, 2014, and established under the name of the Azov Battalion, a homage to the Sea of Azov in southern Ukraine. It was formed on the basis of the Black Corps Detachment, which was associated with volunteers, and members associated with Andriy Biletskyi’s Patriot of Ukraine organization. It had previously fought pro-Russian separatists in Kharkiv in March 2014.

Members of the battalion had participated in the Revolution of Dignity and consisted of local volunteers, patriots, nationalists, and football ultras, particularly from Metalist Kharkiv. The battalion immediately conducted operations around Mariupol, policing streets to put an end to separatist activity. In June 2014, they had liberated the city of Mariupol from pro-Russian separatists. They’d later go on to defend Ilovaisk and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast.

On November 11, 2014, the battalion officially became part of the newly formed Ukrainian National Guard and was expanded into the Azov Regiment. It would then receive equipment from the Ukrainian government, including T-64B1M tanks, D-30 artillery, and various other vehicles. In February 2015, the regiment launched an offensive east of Mariupol, towards Shyokryne, and liberated five settlements.

At the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the regiment was stationed on the outskirts of Mariupol and would rush to defend the city. The unit was defeated during the battle of Mariupol, with all of its members being severely wounded, killed, or captured, and placed into Russian captivity.

In September 2022, many fighters from the regiment had been released from Russian captivity, many eager to get back into the fight. Between January and February 2023, the Azov Regiment was selected to be expanded and reformed into the Azov Brigade under the Offensive Guard program, in favour of the 12th Brigade of Operational Assignment, ceasing to exist.

The brigade would go on to defend areas of southern Ukraine during the summer counteroffensive in 2023 towards Melitopol, and later redeployed to the Serebryansky forest in the Kreminna direction. The brigade was redeployed to New York and Toretsk in mid-2024, where they saw extensive fighting.

On April 15, 2025, the 1st Azov Corps was formed on the basis of the brigade, with Denys Prokopenko transferring to the command of the Corps and Bohdan Hryshenkov becoming the new brigade commander.

Insignia

The insignia is a pointed chevron with its central features including an “Idea of the Nation” symbol, consisting of interwoven angular lines. The top of the chevron incorporates the brigade’s legendary name, Azov, which is named after the Sea of Azov, south of Ukraine. The colours of the insignia are an alteration of the Ukrainian flag color, being slightly subdued yellow and blue colors.