128th Mountain Assault Brigade
The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade is a Ukrainian Ground Forces formation with origins in a Soviet rifle division established in 1922.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, formally the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Zakarpattia Brigade, is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. It is associated with Zakarpattia Oblast in western Ukraine and is regarded as the second-oldest serving formation in the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Although the brigade’s present organizational form dates from the twenty-first century, its institutional lineage is traced to a Soviet formation created on 12 July 1922 in Poltoratsk, now Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The unit began as the 1st Turkmenistan Rifle Division, or, in some accounts, a mountain division. It was redesignated the 83rd Mountain Rifle Division in 1935. During the Second World War, it served in the Soviet campaign in Iran and later fought in the North Caucasus, Kuban, the Taman Peninsula, Crimea, the Carpathian region, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. After combat in the Kuban and Taman areas, it received the Guards designation in October 1943 and became the 128th Guards Turkmenistan Rifle Division. It was subsequently decorated with the Order of the Red Banner for operations connected with the liberation of Crimea and received a second Red Banner award in 1985. After the Second World War, the formation was based primarily in Mukacheve and served as part of Soviet military structures in the region. It participated in the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. These operations are part of the unit’s historical record, but they also reflect the political and military history of the Soviet Union rather than the independent Ukrainian state. Ukraine assumed control of the division after independence in 1991. The formation received the honorary name “Zakarpattia” around the turn of the century, and in 2004 it was reorganized from a division into a brigade. In 2013, it was designated a mountain brigade, reflecting a specialized role suited to difficult terrain and infantry operations. Soviet-era honorary designations were progressively removed during Ukraine’s post-2014 decommunization and military reform processes, while the Zakarpattia honor remained. The brigade fought in the war in Donbas from 2014, including the Battle of Debaltseve. Its commander during that period, Serhiy Shaptala, received the title Hero of Ukraine for his leadership. The brigade later became one of the Ukrainian formations committed to the defense of the country after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Its base was struck on the first day of the invasion, after which elements moved toward Melitopol and helped cover the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces. The unit subsequently established defensive positions along approaches toward Zaporizhzhia and took part in fighting in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. During Ukraine’s 2022 southern counteroffensive, elements of the brigade participated in the recapture of Myroliubivka and other settlements on the western bank of the Dnieper. The brigade continued operating in Zaporizhzhia Oblast during 2023. On 3 November 2023, a Russian strike hit personnel gathered for a ceremony connected with Rocket Forces and Artillery Day. The brigade later confirmed that 19 soldiers had died; Ukrainian officials and media reported higher casualty figures. The incident led to public mourning in Zakarpattia and the suspension of commander Oleh Lysiuk while an investigation was opened. The brigade remains an active Ukrainian military formation.
History
The formation’s lineage begins on 12 July 1922, when the Soviet Red Army created the 1st Turkmenistan Rifle Division in Poltoratsk, now Ashgabat. Some accounts describe the original formation as a mountain division. It was a Turkmen national formation, and Serhiy Tumoshkov is identified as its first commander. In 1935, it became the 83rd Mountain Rifle Division. At the start of the Second World War, the division belonged to the Soviet military structure in Central Asia. It was later sent to Iran as part of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of that country. From 1943, it fought in the North Caucasus and Kuban region, helping Soviet forces recapture the Taman Peninsula. In recognition of those operations, it received the Guards designation on 8 October 1943 and became the 128th Guards Turkmenistan Rifle Division. It received the Order of the Red Banner in April 1944 for operations associated with Crimea. Later in 1944, it fought through the Carpathians, entered northeastern Hungary and crossed into Czechoslovakia. Its wartime operations included the capture or occupation of cities including Ostrava and Olomouc. After the war, the division was stationed in Mukacheve and became part of the Soviet 38th Army. It participated in Operation Whirlwind, the Soviet military intervention against the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, fighting in and around Debrecen, Szolnok, Jászberény and Budapest. In December 1956, it was redesignated the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Division. It was later moved back to Mukacheve. In 1968, the division participated in Operation Danube, the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. Eleven personnel were reported killed during that operation. The unit also received additional Soviet-era honorary designations and a second Order of the Red Banner in 1985. Following Ukrainian independence, Ukraine assumed control of the division in January 1992. It served within Ukrainian military structures in the Carpathian region and later under the 13th Army Corps after the 38th Army Corps was disbanded. The unit received new battle colors in 2000 and was granted the honorary name Zakarpattia. On 18 June 2004, it was reorganized from a division into a brigade. In 2013, it became the 128th Mountain Brigade. The brigade deployed to the Donbas war in 2014–15 and participated in the Battle of Debaltseve. Serhiy Shaptala, its commander during the battle, received the title Hero of Ukraine for his leadership. Ukraine subsequently removed Soviet-era titles and awards from the unit as part of broader armed-forces reforms. In November 2015, the Turkestan and Red Banner honorifics were removed, while the Zakarpattia title remained. In August 2016, the Guards designation was also removed. Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 brought the brigade into sustained combat. Its base was attacked on the first day of the invasion. A battalion tactical group moved rapidly toward Melitopol, helping cover the withdrawal of Ukrainian National Guard units. The brigade then fell back through defensive positions near Vasylivka, Tokmak and Kamyanske-Orikhiv, where it helped block the Russian advance toward Zaporizhzhia. It also fought in the Luhansk region, including operations near Kreminna. The brigade participated in Ukraine’s 2022 southern counteroffensive. Its forces recaptured Myroliubivka on 3 October and took part in operations that recovered several settlements on the western bank of the Dnieper in Kherson Oblast. In 2023, the brigade continued to fight in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. On 3 November 2023, a Russian strike killed personnel during a ceremony held in the brigade’s area of operations. The brigade confirmed 19 fatalities several days later. The incident prompted mourning in Zakarpattia and an investigation, during which commander Oleh Lysiuk was suspended.
- 2023
Ceremony strike in the brigade’s area of operations
[1]A Russian strike on 3 November killed brigade personnel gathered for an artillery-related ceremony.
- 2022
Fought during Russia’s full-scale invasion
[1]The brigade defended positions in southern and eastern Ukraine and participated in the southern counteroffensive.
- 2015
Soviet honorifics removed
[1]The Turkestan and Red Banner honorifics were removed, while the Zakarpattia honor remained.
- 2014
Deployed to the Donbas war
[1]The brigade fought in eastern Ukraine, including the Battle of Debaltseve.
- 2013
Designated a mountain brigade
[1]The formation adopted the 128th Mountain Brigade designation.
- 2004
Reorganized as a brigade
[1]The 128th Guards Motor Rifle Division was reorganized into a brigade.
- 2000
Received the Zakarpattia honorific
[1]The unit received new battle colors and the honorary name Zakarpattia.
- 1992
Transferred to independent Ukraine
[1]Ukraine assumed control of the division after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- 1968
Participated in Operation Danube
[1]The formation participated in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
- 1956
Participated in Operation Whirlwind
[1]The division took part in the Soviet intervention that suppressed the Hungarian Revolution.
Products and positioning
A Ukrainian mountain-assault military formation associated with Zakarpattia, emphasizing combat readiness, infantry operations in difficult terrain and participation in the defense of Ukraine.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Defense of southern Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia Oblast · Kherson Oblast · Luhansk Oblast
After Russia’s full-scale invasion, the brigade moved from its attacked base toward Melitopol and later defended approaches to Zaporizhzhia.
Outcome. Its units helped establish defensive lines and participated in fighting near Kreminna and elsewhere in southern and eastern Ukraine.
- 2022Southern counteroffensive
Kherson Oblast · Ukraine
Brigade elements took part in Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive, including the recapture of Myroliubivka and settlements west of the Dnieper.
Outcome. Russian forces withdrew from portions of the western bank of the Dnieper in Kherson Oblast.
- 2014War in Donbas
Donetsk Oblast · Ukraine
The brigade deployed to eastern Ukraine during the war in Donbas and fought in the Battle of Debaltseve.
Outcome. The brigade remained an important Ukrainian combat formation, and commander Serhiy Shaptala received the Hero of Ukraine title for his leadership at Debaltseve.
- 1968Operation Danube
Czechoslovakia
The division participated in the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Outcome. The operation ended the Prague Spring reform movement; eleven personnel from the division were reported killed.
- 1956Operation Whirlwind
Hungary
The division participated in the Soviet military intervention against the Hungarian Revolution.
Outcome. Its forces fought in eastern and central Hungary, including operations connected with Budapest.
- 1944Carpathian, Hungarian and Czechoslovak operations
Carpathian region · Hungary · Czechoslovakia
The formation fought through the Carpathians, entered northeastern Hungary and crossed into Czechoslovakia.
Outcome. It occupied or captured multiple cities and became historically associated with the Zakarpattia region.
- 1943Kuban and Taman Peninsula operations
Soviet Union
The division fought in the North Caucasus and helped Soviet forces recover the Kuban region and Taman Peninsula.
Outcome. The unit received the Guards designation and became the 128th Guards Turkmenistan Rifle Division.
- 1941Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
Iran
The predecessor division was deployed to Iran as part of the 1941 Anglo-Soviet intervention.
Outcome. The division remained within the Soviet wartime deployment structure before later moving to the Caucasus front.
Brand decisions
2015
Removal of Soviet-era honorificsStrategyBackground
Ukraine began removing Soviet awards and honorary titles from military formations after the 2014 political and military crisis.
Action taken
The Turkestan and Red Banner designations were removed, while the Zakarpattia honor was retained.
Aftermath
The Guards title was also removed in 2016 as the formation was aligned with the identity of the independent Ukrainian armed forces.
2013
Adoption of mountain brigade roleStrategyBackground
The Ukrainian Ground Forces developed specialized formations suited to mountain and difficult-terrain operations.
Action taken
The unit became the 128th Mountain Brigade.
Aftermath
The mountain designation became part of the formation’s identity during its subsequent deployments in eastern and southern Ukraine.
2004
Conversion from division to brigadeStrategyBackground
Ukraine reorganized the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Division within a broader restructuring of its armed forces.
Action taken
The division was converted into the 128th Brigade.
Aftermath
The formation later adopted the mountain brigade designation in 2013.
Recent events
- 2023
A Russian strike killed brigade personnel during a military ceremony[1]
Other
On 3 November 2023, a Russian strike hit personnel gathered for a ceremony marking Rocket Forces and Artillery Day. The brigade later confirmed 19 deaths, while Ukrainian officials reported additional casualties.
- 2023
Commander suspended after the 2023 ceremony strike[1]
Leadership change · Other
Commander Oleh Lysiuk, who arrived late and was not injured, was suspended while Ukrainian authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the gathering and the strike.
- 2022
The brigade’s base was struck at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion[1]
Other
A Russian strike hit a base associated with the brigade on 24 February 2022. The formation then redeployed toward southern Ukraine and helped cover the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Melitopol area.
- 2022
The brigade helped halt the Russian advance toward Zaporizhzhia[1]
Other
After moving through the Melitopol area, brigade elements withdrew to defensive lines near Vasylivka, Tokmak and Kamyanske-Orikhiv, where they helped stop the Russian advance.
- 2022
Brigade forces pushed Russian troops back near Kreminna[1]
Other
In April 2022, Ukrainian reporting stated that soldiers from the brigade had pushed Russian forces several kilometers away from Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast.
- 2022
The brigade participated in Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive[1]
Other
During the southern counteroffensive, brigade elements recaptured Myroliubivka and participated in operations that forced Russian troops to withdraw from several positions west of the Dnieper River in Kherson Oblast.
Sources2 sources
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