Rubizh Brigade (Ukraine)

The 4th Brigade of the Operational Assignment Serhiy Mykhalchuk (Ukrainian: 4-та бригада оперативного призначення), also known as the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade "Rubizh" (Ukrainian: Бригада швидкого реагування НГУ «Рубіж»)[3][4] is a brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard formed in 2016.[5]

4th Brigade of the Operational Assignment
4-та бригада оперативного призначення
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Active4 January 2016 - present
Country Ukraine
Branch National Guard of Ukraine
RoleOperational Units
Garrison/HQHostomel, Kyiv Oblast
PatronSergeant Serhii Mykhalcuk
EngagementsRusso-Ukrainian War
Decorations
For Courage and Bravery
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/RapidReactionBrigade
Commanders
Current
commander		Artem Ilyukhin

The Brigade was estabilished as an elite unit trained and organized under NATO standards. The unit would receive expert support, high-quality selection of fighters and technical equipment.[4][6] In 2023, the unit was reorganized as one of the National Guard's new Offensive Guard units and renamed as the "Rubizh Brigade".[7]

History

Although the Brigade was established on 2 June 2015, actual recruitment of personnel to the brigade started in October 2015.[8] The unit was trained by foreign military advisers and veterans in conformity with NATO standards, including by Canadian soldiers as part of Operation UNIFIER, most recently in summer 2021.[9] According to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov the creation of the brigade should become the first step towards converting the National Guard into a professional army.[10]

On 2 June 2016, the formation was presented its colours.[11] According to pro-Russian website Essence of Time, on 19 June 2016 President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko decided to send the Brigade to Donbas.[12] On 11 August 2020, the brigade was awarded the honorific of Sergeant Serhii Mykhalcuk, who died in combat in December 2019 in Bakhmut Raion and was awarded the title 'Hero of Ukraine' posthumously.[12]

The Brigade was reportedly involved in fighting against a Russian Airborne Troops air assault in the Battle for Antonov Airport, located at outskirts Kyiv in Hostomel, on 24 February 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[13] The 4th Brigade's fast reaction and counter-attack prevented the airport from being captured by the Russian forces on the first day, and helped to prevent the airport being used to airlift more troops and capture the capital Kyiv. As a result, the Kyiv offensive turned into a slog fought in the city's northwestern metropolitan areas in Hostomel, Bucha and Irpin.[14]

After the retreat of Russian forces from the Kyiv axis, the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade was redeployed to the East Ukraine, to fight at the Eastern Ukraine offensive.[12] In the east, unit was involved at the Battle of Severodonetsk, where they fought a month-long defense of the city.[12][15] And later in the year, the unit was deployed at Bakhmut to fight in the Battle of Bakhmut.[16]

In January 2023 it was announced that the 4th Brigade of Operational Purpose was granted the nickname 4th "Rubizh" Brigade as part of the Offensive Guard program of the MIA of Ukraine. [7]

Structure

As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:[5]

  • 4th "Rubizh" Brigade
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
    • 1st Infantry Battalion
    • 2nd Infantry Battalion
    • 3rd "Svoboda" Infantry Battalion
    • 4th Infantry Battalion
    • Tank Company
    • 4th Field Artillery Battalion
    • Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
Soldiers of the Brigade in 2016.

References
  1. https://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=4812
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibdo5msrqbw
  3. "Триває набір до бригади швидкого реагування Національної гвардії України | НГУ". 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  4. "БРИГАДА ШВИДКОГО РЕАГУВАННЯ НГУ: ШЛЯХ ВІД СТВОРЕННЯ ДО БОЙОВОГО ПРАПОРА - оборона, військовослужбовці, Національна гвардія (01.06.16 22:45) « Політика України « Резонанс | Цензор.НЕТ". 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  5. "Thousands of volunteers enroll in Ukraine's offensive brigades on first day of call". Euromaidan Press. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  6. "Arsen Avakov: "The NGU light infantry brigade represents a new model of military unit" (PHOTOS, VIDEO)". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  7. Palikot, Aleksander (25 March 2023). "As Fighting Rages On At The Front, Thousands Join Ukraine's Offensive Guard". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  8. "Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs forms far-right "stormtrooper" brigades". World Socialist Web Site. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  9. "National Guard gets a fast-response brigade". Ukraine under attack. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  10. "Arsen Avakov: "The NGU light infantry brigade represents a new model of military unit" (PHOTOS, VIDEO)". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  11. "Arsen Avakov: "The NGU light infantry brigade represents a new model of military unit" (PHOTOS, VIDEO)". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  12. "Ukrainians cede land on eastern front, but hold on to hope". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  13. "Bloody Day in Ukraine Ends With Russian Advances, Setbacks | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  14. McGregor. "Russian Airborne Disaster at Hostomel Airport | Aberfoyle International Security". Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  15. "The soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine showed how they blew up the bridge between Rubizhne and Sievierodonetsk". 18 May 2022.
  16. "National Guardsmen hold off Russian attack near Bakhmut". www.ukrinform.net. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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