103rd Separate Territorial Defence Brigade

The 103rd Separate Territorial Defence Brigade, formally known as the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade and later granted the honorary designation named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, is a military formation of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces. The brigade was formed in Lviv Oblast on 27 June 2018 as part of Ukraine's development of a territorial-defense system capable of mobilizing reserve personnel, protecting critical areas, and supporting the regular armed forces during a national emergency. It belongs to Operational Command West and is associated with Lviv Oblast, although its operational deployments have extended well beyond western Ukraine. Before Russia's full-scale invasion, the formation concentrated on organization, reserve training, and the preparation of its subordinate battalions. In October 2018, President Petro Poroshenko visited territorial-defense training sites in Lviv Oblast and inspected personnel from the brigade's 64th Territorial Defense Battalion. From 17 to 20 July 2019, approximately two hundred reserve officers took part in combat training at the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security. These activities reflected the brigade's original territorial-defense role: maintaining a trained reserve and preparing units for rapid employment under wartime conditions. The brigade entered combat in Donetsk Oblast in March 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its 63rd and 64th Battalions helped repel Russian attempts to cross the Siverskyi Donets River near Serebrianka between 6 and 10 May 2022. During Ukraine's autumn 2022 counteroffensive, the 63rd Battalion participated in the capture of Ozerne on 3 September, and the brigade was also credited with the capture of Dibrova. On 30 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly commended the brigade and attributed to it, together with the 214th Battalion of the Special Operations Forces, the liberation of Yampil. In early October, brigade units moved to defensive positions near Kupiansk. The formation received its battle flag on 2 October 2022. The brigade continued operating in eastern Ukraine in 2023 and 2024. In March 2023, its 63rd, 65th, and 66th Battalions were reported in the Serebriansky forest near Yampil. In May 2023, the 53rd Battalion took part in fighting near Berkhivka and Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut area. By May 2024, the 62nd Battalion had been deployed to Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In 2024, units of the brigade were relocated to Sumy Oblast to help defend Ukraine's border. From the beginning of August, elements subsequently participated in Ukrainian operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Reports placed the brigade in fighting around Obukhovka in September and October and near Zelyonyy Shlyakh by mid-October, on the left flank of Ukrainian forces operating in the area. On 23 August 2024, President Zelenskyy awarded the brigade the honorary title named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. The formation is not a commercial brand and does not sell consumer products. Its public identity is instead expressed through its military designation, territorial affiliation, battle flag, operational record, subordinate battalions and companies, and honorary name. Publicly listed elements include an attack-drone company known as Common Swift, reconnaissance and counter-sabotage companies, engineering and communications companies, a logistics company, and a mortar battery. Its continuing status, current deployment, and detailed order of battle may change during wartime.

The 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade was established in Lviv Oblast on 27 June 2018 as part of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces. The force was designed to provide locally rooted defense formations that could be staffed by reservists, protect important infrastructure and communities, and reinforce the wider Armed Forces of Ukraine in wartime. The brigade became part of Operational Command West. Its early history centered on formation and training. During a visit to Lviv Oblast on 16 October 2018, President Petro Poroshenko attended events marking the Day of Territorial Defense Soldiers and inspected territorial-defense training facilities, including personnel of the 64th Battalion of the 103rd Independent Territorial Defense Brigade. From 17 to 20 July 2019, roughly two hundred reserve officers assigned to the brigade undertook combat training at the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security. The brigade began combat operations in Donetsk Oblast in March 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion. From 6 to 10 May, its 63rd and 64th Battalions helped stop Russian efforts to cross the Siverskyi Donets River near Serebrianka. In September, the 63rd Battalion participated in the capture of Ozerne, while the brigade was also credited with capturing Dibrova. On 30 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended the brigade and stated that it had helped liberate Yampil together with the 214th Battalion of the Special Operations Forces. In early October, brigade units moved into defensive positions near Kupiansk, and on 2 October the brigade received its battle flag. The formation remained active in eastern Ukraine during 2023. In March, the 63rd, 65th and 66th Battalions were reported in the Serebriansky forest near Yampil. The 53rd Battalion fought near Berkhivka and Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut area in May. In 2024, the 62nd Battalion was reported in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The brigade was subsequently moved to Sumy Oblast to help defend Ukraine's border. From early August 2024, its units participated in Ukrainian operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Reports placed elements in a battle around Obukhovka in September and October and near Zelyonyy Shlyakh by mid-October. On 23 August 2024, the brigade received the honorary name of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky by presidential decree. The brigade's reported structure includes a headquarters, multiple battalions, an attack-drone company called Common Swift, reconnaissance and counter-sabotage companies, engineering and communications companies, a logistics company, and a mortar battery. As with other active wartime formations, its structure, commanders, deployments, and operational details may change. A December 2024 allegation by a brigade anti-aircraft-battery fighter concerning the conduct of the air-defense chief is recorded as an allegation rather than a confirmed institutional finding.

1. 2024Deployment to Sumy and Kursk operations

   The brigade moved to Sumy Oblast for border defense and subsequently participated in Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast.

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2. 2024Honorary designation

   On 23 August, the brigade was granted the honorary title named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.

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3. 2022Entry into combat in Donetsk Oblast

   Brigade units began combat operations in Donetsk Oblast in March.

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4. 2022Defense near Serebrianka

   The 63rd and 64th Battalions repelled Russian attempts to cross the Siverskyi Donets River between 6 and 10 May.

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5. 2022Autumn counteroffensive operations

   The brigade participated in fighting and advances around Ozerne, Dibrova and Yampil in September.

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6. 2022Battle flag received

   The formation received its battle flag on 2 October.

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7. 2019Reserve-officer combat training

   Approximately two hundred reserve officers underwent combat training from 17 to 20 July.

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8. 2018Formation in Lviv Oblast

   The brigade was formed on 27 June as part of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces.

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9. 2018Territorial-defense inspection

   President Petro Poroshenko inspected territorial-defense training activity in Lviv Oblast, including the brigade's 64th Battalion.

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A Ukrainian territorial-defense military formation focused on the defense of national territory, mobilization and training of reserve personnel, and combat employment alongside other Ukrainian forces.

• 2024Kursk Oblast operations

  Ukraine · Russia

  After a border-defense deployment to Sumy Oblast, brigade units participated in Ukrainian operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast from early August.

  Outcome. Reports placed brigade elements in fighting near Obukhovka and Zelyonyy Shlyakh. The broader operation's final outcome is not specified in the supplied reference.

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• 2022Donetsk Oblast defense and counteroffensive

  Ukraine

  The brigade fought in Donetsk Oblast, defended the Siverskyi Donets crossing near Serebrianka, and participated in Ukraine's September counteroffensive around Ozerne, Dibrova and Yampil.

  Outcome. The brigade was credited with helping prevent Russian river crossings and liberating or capturing several settlements, including Yampil in cooperation with another Ukrainian unit.

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• 2024Redeployment for border defense and cross-border operationsStrategy

  In 2024, the brigade was moved to Sumy Oblast amid the security threat along Ukraine's northeastern border.

  What changed. Units first supported border defense and later participated in Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast.

  Aftermath. The brigade was reported in combat around Obukhovka and Zelyonyy Shlyakh during September and October.

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• 2024Honorary naming after Metropolitan Andrey SheptytskyOther

  The brigade received formal recognition for its service during the ongoing war.

  What changed. A presidential decree of 23 August granted the formation the honorary title named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.

  Aftermath. The honorary designation became part of the brigade's formal public identity.

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• 2024Allegations concerning brigade air-defense leadershipControversy

  In December, a fighter from the brigade's anti-aircraft battery accused Colonel Valentyn Kozakevych of sabotaging equipment preparation, misappropriating military property and issuing unsafe deployment instructions. The supplied reference presents these as allegations and does not report a confirmed legal or disciplinary finding.

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• 2024103rd Brigade participates in operations in Kursk Oblast

  After moving to Sumy Oblast for border defense, brigade units participated in Ukrainian operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast, including reported fighting around Obukhovka and Zelyonyy Shlyakh.

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• 2024103rd Brigade awarded honorary designation

  On 23 August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the formation the honorary title named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.

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• 2022103rd Brigade units take part in Ukraine's 2022 eastern counteroffensive

  The brigade's 63rd Battalion participated in the capture of Ozerne, and the formation was credited with operations involving Dibrova and Yampil in Donetsk Oblast.

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• 2022103rd Brigade receives its battle flag

  The brigade received its battle flag on 2 October during its wartime deployment.

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1. 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade
2. 103rd Territorial Defence Forces website