15 БрОП

1st Azov Corps

National Guard

Kara-Dah Brigade

Full name: 15th Brigade of the Operational Assignment named after the Hero of Ukraine of Lt. Bohdan Zavada

Active:

August 1, 2014 –

Military Unit Number:

3029

Garrison:

Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Size:

1500 - 5000 servicemen

Motto:

Let’s Raise The Flag Over Crimea

Unit Role:

Operational Units

Ukrainian Units › National Guard › Kara-Dah Brigade

About Unit

Kara-Dag Brigade is a unit of the Ukrainian National Guard.

The unit was formed as the 9th Regiment of Operational Assignment, which was formed on the basis of the disbanded 9th Special Purpose Regiment “Cheetah” in August 2014.

On February 24, 2022, the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the unit was quickly deployed to hold the Russian advance to the Ukrainian cities of Melitopol and Tokmak in southern Ukraine. The regiment managed to slow down and stop the Russian advance.

In January to February 2023, as part of the Offensive Guard Program of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the regiment was expanded into an assault brigade, becoming known as the 15th Brigade of Operational Assignment, and received the nickname Kara-Dag.

In March 2025, the brigade was assigned to the 1st Azov Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard.

Insignia

The insignia depicts a roundel-style insignia in a subdued green and pastel yellow color scheme. The central imagery of the roundel depicts a stylized chevron with three daggers pointing upwards, nestled above a mountain range. The bottom of the chevron displays the numerical designation of the brigade in Roman numerals. Surrounding the main chevron imagery are inscriptions of the brigade’s full designation and its branch.

08/2014

9th Regiment of Operational Assignment

formation of the unit

02/2023

15th Brigade of Operational Assignment

expansion of the unit as part of the Offensive Guard

Lieutenant Colonel

Oleksandr Bukatar

Between 2006 to 2007, he served within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and in 2008, he joined the Ukrainian National Police in Kharkiv until 2023. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, while he was in the police, he immediately came to the defense of his home, Kharkiv Oblast. At the head of a group of special forces, he stormed school No. 134 alongside Ukrainian volunteer units such as Fraykor and a pool of soldiers which go on to form the Kraken Special Unit. Later, he would continue to d…

→ Learn more

Recent News
Structure
Equipment
Insignia History

Current Structure

Here you can find the last known structure of the unit, including their insignia if available.

Unit Headquarters

It includes the headquarters, management and commandant platoon.

1st Battalion of Operational Assignment

The first linear Operational Battalion of Assignment of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Fire Support Company

The Fire Support Company of the Battalion.

3rd Operational Battalion

The third linear Operational Battalion of Assignment of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

1st Operational Company

The first linear Operational Company of Assignment of the Battalion.

4th Operational Battalion “Alliance”

The fourth linear Operational Battalion of Assignment of the Brigade. It bears the nickname “Alliance”.

Show Subordinated Units ›

1st Operational Company

The first linear Operational Company of Assignment of the Battalion.

2nd Operational Company

The second linear Operational Company of Assignment of the Battalion.

Strike Drone Company

The Strike Drone Company of the Battalion.

Mortar Battery

The Mortar Battery of the Battalion.

Unmanned Systems Battalion “Ghost of Khortytsia”

The Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Brigade, it was formed on the basis of the 2nd Operational Battalion in December 2024. It bears the nickname “Ghost of Khortytsia”.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Crow Company

The Aerial Reconnaissance and Strike Company of the Battalion. It bears the nickname “Crow Company”.

Special Purpose Reconnaissance Company

The Special Purpose Reconnaissance Company of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Strike Drone Platoon

The strike drone platoon of the company.

Tank Company

The Tank Company of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Artillery Group

The artillery battalion of the unit.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Aerial Reconnaissance Battery

The Aerial Reconnaissance Battery of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion

The Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Support Battalion

The support battalion of the brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Electronic Warfare Company

The Electronic Warfare Company of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Medical Company

The Medical Company of the Brigade.

Show Subordinated Units ›

Former Units

Equipment

Here, you can view the complete list of the unit’s equipment. All images of the vehicles and weapons below are sourced from the official social pages.