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116th Territorial Defense Brigade (Ukraine)
Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 116th Territorial Defense Brigade (Ukrainian: 116-Ñа окÑема бÑигада ÑеÑиÑоÑÑалÑÐ½Ð¾Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ð¾Ñони) is a military formation of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine in Poltava Oblast. It is part of Operational Command North.
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| 116th Territorial Defense Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: 116-Ñа окÑема бÑигада ÑеÑиÑоÑÑалÑÐ½Ð¾Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ð¾Ñони | |
| |
| Active | 25 June 2018 - present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch | Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Type | Military reserve force |
| Role | Light infantry |
| Part of |  Territorial Defense Forces |
| Garrison/HQ |  Poltava OblastMUN Ð7044[1] |
History
Formation
On 25 June 2018 the brigade was formed in Poltava Oblast.[1] From 25 to 29 September units of brigade took part in large strategic command-staff training "Cossack Volition â 2018".[2] By the end of 2018, more than 4,000 reservist completed rifle days, where they received basic training and instructions on how to fulfill their duties as territorial defense forces.[3]
In June 2019 Brigade held a large scale, 7 day exercise.[4]
On 17 February 2022 Brigade commander Lieutenant colonel Kalentiev Kostiantyn informed that brigade had a core of 300 contract officers, sergeants and soldiers.[5]
Russo-Ukrainian War
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
When on 26 February Russian Armed Forces invaded, they reached northeast parts of Poltava Oblast. First battle happened in Vepryk. During the night of 26-27 February units of the brigade, along with various regular Ukrainian Armed Forces formations, destroyed 2 columns in vicinity of Hadiach. On containing 29 vehicles and another 150.[6] For more than 10 days heavy battles raged on border of Poltava and Sumy Oblasts. Each time Russian forces tried to cross Sula river, they were stopped by artillery units of the brigade. In those battles the brigade captured lots of enemy tanks, artillery and anti-aircraft guns.[1] On 9 March the brigade destroyed another enemy column,[7] capturing 3 tanks which were transferred to regular army units.[8] Units of the brigade took part in the liberation of Sumy Oblast. Later, the brigade was involved in 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, it remained in Kharkiv region till the end of 2022.[9]
In January 2023 units of the brigade were fighting near Soledar and Bakhmut.[10] Later it was sent to Toretsk. After a short rest and recuperation the brigade saw action near Marinka and Avdiivka.[9]
Structure
As of 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows:
- 116th Territorial Defense Brigade
- Headquarters
144th Territorial Defense Battalion (Poltava) MUN Ð7310[11]
- Aerial Reconnaissance Group "Nightingales" ("Solovey")[12]
145th Territorial Defense Battalion (Kremenchuk) MUN Ð7311[13]
146th Territorial Defense Battalion (Hadiach) MUN Ð7312[14]
147th Territorial Defense Battalion (Lubny) MUN Ð7313[15]
148th Territorial Defense Battalion (Myrhorod) MUN Ð7314[16]
149th Territorial Defense Battalion (Lokhvytsia) MUN Ð7315[17]- Counter-Sabotage Company
- Engineering Company
- Communication Company
- Logistics Company
- Mortar Battery
Commanders
- Lieutenant colonel Kalentiev Kostiantyn 2019 - February 2022
- Colonel Chakhlov Oleksandr[1] February 2022 - present