53rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)

The 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. The brigade is subordinated to Operational Command East. It is deployed in Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk.

History
In 2014, the brigade was formed in the village of Nova Lyubomyrka in Rivne Oblast. The brigade includes units formed from territorial defense battalions. The brigade also includes units derived from elements of the 17th Guards Tank Brigade and the 24th Mechanized Brigade. The brigade includes three mechanized battalions, a tank battalion, artillery, two battalion tactical groups, air defense, intelligence company. The brigade's 4th Separate Mechanized Infantry Battalion is the former 14th Cherkasy Territorial Defense Battalion of the 24th Mechanized Brigade. The brigade's 5th Separate Mechanized Infantry Battalion is also a battalion formerly of the 24th Mechanized Brigade.

In February 2015, the brigade fought in the War in Donbass. On 25 May 2015, the brigade repulsed a Separatist attack. In September, the brigade was deployed in Avdiivka.

On July 23, 2016, Ukrainian Minister of Defence Stepan Poltorak announced the Deputy Commander of the brigade has been demoted and dismissed for selling arms and ammunition.

Current Structure
As of 2017 the brigade's structure is as follows:


 * 53rd Mechanized Brigade, Sievierodonetsk
 * Headquarters & Headquarters Company
 * 1st Mechanized Battalion
 * 2nd Mechanized Battalion
 * 3rd Mechanized Battalion
 * Tank Battalion
 * 24th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Aidar"
 * 43rd Motorized Infantry Battalion "Patriot"
 * Brigade Artillery Group
 * Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery
 * Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S3 Akatsiya)
 * Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S1 Gvozdika)
 * Rocket Artillery Battalion (BM-21 Grad)
 * Anti-tank Artillery Battalion (MT-12 Rapira)
 * Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Battalion
 * Engineer Battalion
 * Maintenance Battalion
 * Logistic Battalion
 * Reconnaissance Company
 * Sniper Company
 * Electronic Warfare Company
 * Signal Company
 * Radar Company
 * CBRN-defense Company
 * Medical Company