Ștefan cel Mare 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade
The 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade "Stefan Cel Mare" is an motorized infantry unit of the Moldovan National Army's Ground Forces based in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau.
2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade "Stefan Cel Mare" | |
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Brigada 2 Infanterie Motorizată „Stefan Cel Mare” | |
![]() The brigade during the 2016 Chișinău Independence Day Parade. | |
Active | 16 October 1992-present |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Motorized Infantry |
Garrison/HQ | Chisinau |
Nickname(s) | The Stefan Cel Mare Brigade |
Engagements | Transnistria War |
Battle honours | ![]() |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Mihail Buclis Oleg Chulkov |
Insignia | |
Shoulder Patch | ![]() |
Operations
It was created on October 16, 1992, on the basis of former Soviet units of the Kishinev Garrison.[2][3] Prior to its official creation, it underwent a 2-month training period, in which the units that now make up the brigade prepared for frontline service in the Transnistria War. In June 2019, it was revealed that several soldiers from the brigade were beaten, which caused the prosecutor's office to open a criminal case.[4]
Like all the other motorized infantry brigades in the ground forces, the brigade maintains a military band which serves on special occasions.
T-34 tank
In September 2015, on his instructions of Defense Minister Anatol Șalaru and with his personal participation, the T-34 tank mounted on the territory of the brigade in Chisinau was removed from the pedestal. According to Salaru, the tank will be exhibited in the Museum of the Soviet Occupation, along with five more monumental tanks planned for dismantling.[5] He explained his reasoning for removing the tank as needing "to educate a new generation on other values" than what the tank represents.[6][7]
References
- "Brigada "Ştefan cel Mare" decorată cu Ordinul "Credinţă Patriei" (Foto)". 2017-10-14.
- "Ministry of Defense of Republic of Moldova".
- Gaiciuc, Victor (1999). Constituirea Armatei Naționale: Cronica evenimentelor 1989-1992. ISBN 9789975936408.
- "В мотопехотной бригаде №2 им. Штефана чел Маре избили солдат". Point.md.
- "В Кишиневе танк Т-34 сняли с постамента, чтобы поместить в будущий Музей советской оккупации". NEWSru.com. September 16, 2015.
- "В Молдавии танк Т-34 увезли с постамента в музей советской оккупации". PITER TV.
- "Истории танков, которые стали памятниками в Молдове". Locals. February 23, 2017.