The 4th Tank Brigade is an armored formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[1]
| 4th Tank Brigade | |
|---|---|
| 4-та окрема танкова бригада | |
 Shoulder sleeve patch | |
| Active | December 6, 2017 - Today |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ground Forces |
| Type | Armoured Forces |
| Part of | Operational Command North |
| Garrison/HQ | Honcharivske, Chernihiv Oblast |
| Patron | Ivan Vyhovsky |
| Motto(s) | Rage Controls Our Weapons! |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Oleh Chernov |
History
editThe 4th Tank Brigade was established in late 2017 with the purpose of serving as a reserve unit to the 1st and 17th Tank Brigades within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.[2] It was equipped with T-64 and T-72 tanks.[1] The brigade underwent training and preparation for combat, including a final stage of combat readiness at Honcharivske training base, the home of the 1st Tank Brigade, in July 2018.[3]
During the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2019, the 4th Brigade was sent to the Joint Forces Operation Zone to support the 72nd Mechanized and 36th Marines brigades.[2] The brigade was equipped with T-72 and BMP-2 IFVs, and various artillery pieces.[4] In October of that year, the brigade participated in a joint exercise that involved crossing a river, supported by attack helicopters, and attacking suspected enemy positions.[5]
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the 4th Tank Brigade was deployed to help defend the northeastern part of the country.[5] The brigade played a significant role in the battle of Kharkiv and subsequent Eastern Ukraine offensive.[3] It was initially deployed in the area of Sloviansk-Kramatorsk as a reserve unit and later stationed south of Izium.[5]
On February 24, 2023, which marked the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Poland handed over the first four out of 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to the 4th Tank Brigade.[4]
The brigade took part in the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive where many of the brigade's tanks were damaged by Russian drones and mines.[6][7]
Structure
editAs of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:[4]
- 4th Tank Brigade
- Brigade Headquarters and HQ Company
- 1st Tank Battalion
- 2nd Tank Battalion
- 3rd Tank Battalion
- 4th Tank Battalion
- Mechanized Infantry Battalion
- Field Artillery Regiment
- HQ and HQ Battery
- Anti-Tank Battalion
- Anti-Aircraft Missile Defense Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Combat Engineer Battalion
- Logistic Battalion
- Maintenance Battalion
- Signal Company
- Radar Company
- Medical Company
- CBRN Protection Company
- MP Platoon
- Brigade Band
References
edit- ^ a b David Axe (18 April 2022). "Ukraine Has Mobilized Its Tank Reserves. They're Already On The Attack". Forbes. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ a b Chao-Fong, Léonie; Chao-Fong (now), Léonie; Gerts (earlier), Mark (2023-02-25). "Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskiy adviser dismisses China's peace plan and warns 'window of opportunity' closing". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b Axe, David. "Truck Shortages, Point-Blank Tank Battles, Dueling Artillery. These 12 Stories Are Snapshots Of The Ukraine War's First Year". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b c Altman, Howard (2023-02-24). "First Leopard 2 Tanks Arrive In Ukraine". The Drive. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ a b c Axe, David. "Beaten Twice In Ukraine, Russia's Elite 1st Guards Tank Army Is Poised To Attack Yet Again". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ^ Lyubysh-Kirdey, Ivan (2023-11-21). "Ukraine's tank repairmen deal with damage inflicted by Russian drones, artillery and mines". Reuters.
- ^ Axe, David. "Ukraine's 4th Tank Brigade Has A Frankenstein's Monster T-72 That Mixes And Matches Parts From Three Tanks". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-08-27.