158th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)
Ukrainian Ground Forces unit
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The 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade (Ukrainian: 158-ма окÑема Ð¼ÐµÑ Ð°Ð½Ñзована бÑигада) is a unit of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in Chernihiv.[1] The brigade was part of the creation of nine other brigades in the Ukrainian Ground Forces, announced by then Ground Forces' commander Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, in anticipation of a Russian offensive.[1]
| 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 158-ма окÑема Ð¼ÐµÑ Ð°Ð½Ñзована бÑигада | |
Insignia of the brigade | |
| Active | 2 February 2024 â present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Role | Mechanized Infantry |
| Part of |  Operational Command North |
| Garrison/HQ |  ChernihivMUN A5002 |
| Engagements | |
| Website | Official Website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Vitaly Omelchenko |
| Insignia | |
| Subdued Insignia: |  |
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.[2][1] This law also saw prisoners being able to join the armed forces.[2]
In an interview with The Economist published in an article on 10 May 2024, Oleksandr Pavliuk, then commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, stated that Ukraine planned to create 10 new brigades in anticipation of a Russian offensive, and that some of them could be stationed in Kyiv to defend the city.[1][3] Later in the month, Forbes reported that these 10 new brigades would consist of 2,000 people and some of them would be infantry rather than mechanized brigades.[4]
On 16 July 2024, the Chernihiv Regional State Administration publicized a video calling for individuals to join the brigade. It was noted that drivers, doctors, cooks, and other roles were needed.[5]
In November 2024, the brigade was reformed from an infantry to a mechanized unit.
Structure
As of July 2025, the brigade's structure is as follows:
158th Separate Mechanized Brigade
- Brigade Headquarters
- Management
- Commandant Platoon
1st Mechanized Battalion- 2nd Mechanized Battalion
3rd Mechanized Battalion- 1st Rifle Battalion
2nd Rifle Battalion- Tank Battalion
- Artillery Group
- HQ
- Target Acquisition Unit
- 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion
- 2nd Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion
- Rocket Artillery Unit
- Anti-Tank Unit
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Drone Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Engineer Battalion
- CBRN Protection Company
- Logistic Battalion
- Radar Company
- Maintenance Battalion
- Medical Company
- Signal Company
- Brigade Headquarters
Equipment
Vehicles
- HMMWV â American infantry mobility vehicle
- International MaxxPro â American MRAP armored fighting vehicle
- T-64BV â Soviet main battle tank