34th Marine Brigade

The 34th Marine Brigade, officially the 34th Separate Marine Brigade "Borysfen," is a Ukrainian military formation based in Kherson. It originated as the 124th Territorial Defense Brigade, established in Kherson Oblast on 30 June 2018, and was later transferred from the Territorial Defense Forces to the Ukrainian Marine Corps. The formation is associated with the defense of southern Ukraine, particularly Kherson Oblast and the Dnipro River area. During its territorial-defense period, the brigade relied heavily on reservists. Large-scale training in September 2018 involved approximately 3,500 reservists drawn from across Kherson Oblast, with exercises covering areas including Bilozerka, Oleshky, Henichesk, Ivanivka, and Skadovsk. Its battalions were also used for border patrols and protection of critical infrastructure. Further exercises took place in December 2018, September 2020, and April 2021. Before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the 197th Battalion had filled most of its contract positions, although accommodation and base infrastructure remained incomplete in some locations. The brigade's units entered combat immediately after the Russian invasion began on 24 February 2022. The 192nd Battalion helped defend Kherson and covered the withdrawal of regular Ukrainian forces at the Antonivka Road Bridge. Elements of the 194th Battalion fought in Buzkovyi Park, also known as Lilac Park, on 1 March, suffering severe losses in an ambush by Russian armored forces. Other battalions defended approaches between Mykolaiv and Kherson, supported Ukrainian formations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and participated in operations in the Kharkiv counteroffensive in September 2022. In 2023, brigade elements continued to defend Kherson and positions along the Dnipro. The formation helped destroy a Russian ammunition depot on the river's left bank in April and participated in civilian evacuation operations after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June. The unit was transformed into the 34th Coastal Defense Brigade on 1 February 2025 and subsequently reorganized as the 34th Marine Brigade. Its later mission has centered on coastal and riverine defense, drone interception, patrols around Kherson, and operations in the Dnipro island and left-bank area. The brigade received the honorary designation "Borysfen," the ancient Greek name associated with the Dnipro, by presidential decree on 23 May 2026 according to the cited reference material.

The formation was created on 30 June 2018 as the 124th Territorial Defense Brigade in Kherson Oblast. Its initial organization reflected the reservist-based character of Ukraine's territorial defense system. In September 2018, nearly 3,500 reservists participated in brigade-wide exercises across several districts of the oblast. Battalions practiced mobilization, local defense, infrastructure protection, and cooperation with border guards. A battalion stationed on the Arabat Spit began joint patrols with the State Border Guard Service and guarded critical infrastructure in Henichesk Raion. Additional exercises were held in December 2018, September 2020, and April 2021. At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the brigade's battalions were committed to the defense of southern Ukraine. The 192nd Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ihor Likhnov, brought volunteers into the defense of Kherson and fought at the Antonivka Road Bridge. After Russian forces captured Kherson, some personnel remained in the city and some were captured; the battalion was subsequently rebuilt and later operated in Donetsk and Kherson oblasts. Around 40 members of the 194th Battalion fought in Buzkovyi Park on 1 March 2022. The unit, equipped primarily with small arms, grenades, limited anti-armor weapons, and improvised incendiaries, suffered heavy casualties when an expected infantry attack was replaced by an armored assault. The 196th Battalion defended positions near the boundary of Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts during May and June 2022, while the 197th Battalion supported Ukrainian formations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In September, the 192nd Battalion participated in Ukraine's Kharkiv offensive and reportedly captured Russian personnel and ammunition near Semenivka. In January 2023, the 197th Battalion deployed around Chornobaivka and Naddniprianske to deter a Russian crossing of the Dnipro, while the 196th Battalion continued the defense of Kherson. On 16 April 2023, the 193rd Battalion and cooperating units destroyed a Russian ammunition depot on the river's left bank. Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on 6 June, brigade personnel helped evacuate civilians from affected areas. The formation underwent a major institutional change on 1 February 2025, when it became the 34th Coastal Defense Brigade. It was later reorganized as the 34th Marine Brigade and incorporated into the Ukrainian Marine Corps. In its marine role, the unit has been described as conducting foot patrols in Kherson, countering Russian drones, and operating in the Dnipro river and island zone. The brigade received the honorary title "Borysfen" on 23 May 2026 according to the cited article, linking its identity to the Dnipro and its long-standing Kherson-area mission.

• 2026

  Reorganization as the 34th Marine Brigade

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The formation was reorganized and renamed within the Ukrainian Marine Corps.

• 2026

  Honorary designation "Borysfen"

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade received the honorary title "Borysfen" by presidential decree on 23 May, according to the cited reference material.

• 2025

  Conversion to coastal defense formation

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The unit became the 34th Coastal Defense Brigade on 1 February.

• 2023

  Kakhovka Dam evacuation operations

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade participated in civilian evacuations following the destruction of the dam.

• 2022

  Defense of Kherson

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  Battalion elements fought at the Antonivka Road Bridge, Buzkovyi Park, and other southern Ukrainian positions after the full-scale invasion began.

• 2018

  Formation as the 124th Territorial Defense Brigade

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade was formed in Kherson Oblast on 30 June.

• 2018

  First major brigade exercise

  [1]34th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  Approximately 3,500 reservists took part in exercises across several Kherson districts from 3 to 12 September.

A Ukrainian combat formation focused on territorial, coastal, riverine, and marine defense in the Kherson theater.

• 2023Kherson and Dnipro defense

  Ukraine

  The brigade defended Kherson and Dnipro positions, destroyed an ammunition depot, and supported disaster-response operations after the Kakhovka Dam destruction.

  Outcome. The formation remained assigned to the Kherson theater and later transitioned toward a coastal and marine role.

  Source
• 2022Defense of Kherson

  Ukraine

  Battalions of the formation defended Kherson and its approaches, including the Antonivka Road Bridge and Buzkovyi Park.

  Outcome. Russian forces captured Kherson, while surviving Ukrainian personnel continued the fight and rebuilt depleted units.

  Source
• 2022Southern front and Zaporizhzhia operations

  Ukraine

  The 196th Battalion defended the Mykolaiv–Kherson boundary, and the 197th supported Ukrainian formations near Huliaipole and other Zaporizhzhia positions.

  Outcome. The battalions continued operating as part of Ukraine's southern defense.

  Source
• 2022Kharkiv counteroffensive

  Ukraine

  The 192nd Battalion operated near Semenivka during the September Ukrainian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast.

  Outcome. The unit reportedly captured Russian soldiers and ammunition.

  Source

• 2026

  Reorganization as a marine brigadeStrategy

  Background

  The coastal-defense formation was reorganized as part of the continuing development of Ukraine's marine and riverine capabilities.

  Action taken

  The unit was renamed the 34th Marine Brigade.

  Aftermath

  Its reported missions included patrols around Kherson, drone defense, and operations in the Dnipro island and left-bank area.

  Source

• 2025

  Transfer from territorial defense to coastal defenseStrategy

  Background

  The unit's operational history in southern Ukraine and along the Dnipro preceded its formal transformation into a coastal-defense formation.

  Action taken

  The 124th Territorial Defense Brigade was transformed into the 34th Coastal Defense Brigade on 1 February.

  Aftermath

  The formation subsequently moved into the Ukrainian Marine Corps structure.

  Source

1. 134th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org