157th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)

157th Mechanized Brigade
157-ма окрема механізована бригада
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	2024 [1] –present
Country	Ukraine
Branch	Ukrainian Ground Forces
Type	Mechanized Infantry
Size	Brigade
Engagements	Russo-Ukrainian war Pokrovsk offensive [2]
Commanders
Current commander	Col. Petro Chub
Insignia
Former sleeve insignia
Subdued insignia

The 157th Mechanized Brigade ^[a] is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2024. ^[1]

History

Formation

The brigade was formed after a Ukrainian mobilization law came into force, seeing the draft age being lowered from 27 to 25 and placing penalties for those avoiding conscription. ^{[3] [4]} This law also saw prisoners being able to join the armed forces. ^[3]

The brigade was deployed to defend Pokrovsk during the Russian offensive in the area, but suffered from poor training and low morale and was reportedly deteriorating while being transferred to Pokrovsk due to high desertion rates, which had led to the collapse of another 150-series brigade a few weeks prior. ^[5]

Structure

As of July 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:

• 157th Infantry Brigade
  • Brigade's Headquarters
  • 1st Infantry Battalion
  • 2nd Infantry Battalion
  • 3rd Infantry Battalion
  • 4th Infantry Battalion
  • 5th Infantry Battalion
  • Reconnaissance Company
  • Anti-Tank Company
  • Anti-Aircraft Defense Company
  • Engineer Company
  • Maintenance Company
  • Medical Company

See also

• 155th Infantry Brigade – a newly created infantry unit in the Ukrainian Ground Forces in May 2024, part of the new expansion

References

1. "Рівнерада передала різноманітну техніку для новоствореної 155-ої окремої піхотної..." Facebook. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
2. Axe, David. "Another Ukrainian Brigade Is Disintegrating As It Deploys To Pokrovsk". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
3. Kullab, Samya; Kozlowska, Joanna (2024-05-18). "Ukraine's divisive mobilization law comes into force as a new Russian push strains front-line troops". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
4. "Ukraine to create 10 new brigades to prepare for new Russian offensive". Ukrainska Pravda. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
5. Axe, David (27 January 2025). "Another Ukrainian Brigade Is Disintegrating As It Deploys To Pokrovsk". Forbes .

Notes

1. Ukrainian: 157-ма окрема механізована бригада