1st Azov Corps (Ukraine)

1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard
1-й корпус Національної гвардії України
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	April 15, 2025 – present
Country	Ukraine
Branch	Ukrainian National Guard
Size	Corps
Motto(s)	In Fire, Iron is Melted into Steel, in Struggle, People Turn Into a Nation!
Engagements	Russo-Ukrainian War
Website	Official Facebook page
Commanders
Current commander	Denys Prokopenko
Insignia
Flag

The 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard "Azov" (Ukrainian: 1-й корпус Національної гвардії України «Азов») is a corps of the Ukrainian National Guard. ^[1]

History

The 1st Azov Corps, a formation within the Ukrainian National Guard, has its roots tied to the earlier establishment of the Azov Brigade. The Azov unit was initially founded as a special forces battalion under the Ministry of Internal Affairs on May 5, 2014. ^[2] The battalion quickly grew in prominence and capability, eventually scaling up to become the Azov Brigade, which played a crucial role in defending Ukraine since its inception. ^[3]

In a more recent development, the 1st Azov Corps was officially formed, with Colonel Denys Prokopenko, the commander of the Azov Brigade, appointed to lead this new corps. ^[4] This move is part of a broader military reform within Ukraine, aiming to enhance the structure and operational effectiveness of its armed forces. The creation of the 1st Azov Corps signifies an evolution from the earlier volunteer militia roots into a more formalized and state-overseen military entity. ^[5]

Structure

As of 2025 the corps structure is as follows: ^{[4] [1]}

• 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard “Azov”
  • Corps Headquarters
    • Management
    • Commandant Platoon
  • 1st Presidential Operational Brigade "Bureviy" ^[6]
    • Brigade Command and Headquarters
    • 1st Operational Battalion "Forpost"
    • 3rd Operational Battalion "Hroza"
    • 4th Operational Battalion "Horyv"
    • Kulchytskyi Battalion ^[7]
    • Unmanned Systems Battalion "Kondor"
    • Artillery Division
    • Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Division "Borey"
    • Sniper Company "Bekas"
    • Technical Intelligence Unit "Zaychyky Chrkesa"
  • 12th Special Purpose Brigade "Azov" ^[8]
    • Brigade Command and Headquarters
    • 1st Special Purpose Battalion
    • 2nd Special Purpose Battalion
    • 3rd International Battalion
    • 6th Special Purpose Battalion
    • Brigade Artillery Group
    • Tank Battalion
    • Unmanned Systems Battalion
    • Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Battalion
    • Support Forces Battalion
    • Communications Node
    • Technical Intelligence Company
    • Medical Company
    • Sniper Company
    • Commandment's Company
    • Electronic Warfare Company
    • Service Support Battalion
    • Automobile Battalion
    • Special Purpose Reconnaissance Detachment
    • Psychological Service
  • 14th Operational Brigade "Chervona Kalyna" ^[9]
    • Brigade Command and Headquarters
    • 1st Operational Battalion
    • 2nd Operational Battalion
    • 3rd Operational Battalion
    • 4th Guardsmen Battalion
    • 5th Guardsmen Battalion
    • 6th Guardsmen Battalion
    • Tank Company
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Signal Company
    • Artillery Group
    • Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
    • Engineering Battalion
    • Logistics Battalion
  • 15th Operational Brigade "Kara-Dah" ^[10]
    • Brigade Command and Headquarters
    • 1st Operational Battalion
    • 3rd Operational Battalion
    • 4th Guardsmen Battalion
    • 5th Guardsmen Battalion
    • 6th Guardsmen Battalion
    • Artillery Group
    • Tank Company
    • Special Purpose Reconnaissance Company
    • Unmanned Systems Battalion "Ghost of Khortytsia"
    • Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
    • Support Battalion
  • 20th Operational Brigade "Lyubart"  [ uk ] ^[11]
    • Brigade Command and Headquarters
    • 1st Special Purpose Battalion
    • 2nd Special Purpose Battalion
    • 3rd Special Purpose Battalion
    • Mortar Battery
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Unmanned Systems Company
    • Medical Service
  • Personnel Training Battalion

References

1. "1st Azov Corps". MilitaryLand.net. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
2. "Unit's History, Structure, Combat Record, and Traditions". Бригада Азов. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
3. "Azov Battalion - History of Battalion Azov | AZOV.ONE". azov.one. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
4. "Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard corps". The Kyiv Independent. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
5. "Ukrainian Military Reform: Azov, 3rd Assault Brigades to Form Core of New Corps". Militarnyi. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
6. "Підрозділи | Офіційний сайт бригади «Буревій» | Гвардія Наступу". www.bureviy.army (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
7. "Батальйон імені Кульчицького увійшов до бригади «Буревій»". militarnyi.com. 3 June 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
8. "Unit's History, Structure, Combat Record, and Traditions". Бригада Азов. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
9. "Chervona Kalyna Brigade". MilitaryLand.net. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
10. "Kara-Dag Brigade". MilitaryLand.net. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
11. "Lyubart Brigade". MilitaryLand.net. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2025.