25th Air Assault Brigade

The 25th Air Assault Brigade "Sicheslav" is a formation of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces and one of the country's principal airborne combat units. Its official military designation is associated with Military Unit A1126, and it is commonly referred to as the 25th Airborne Brigade or, in Ukrainian, the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade. The formation is headquartered at Hvardiiske in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The brigade was created in Bolhrad in May 1993 after Ukraine established its own airborne and airmobile forces following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its personnel and institutional origins were connected to elements of the Soviet 217th Guards Airborne Regiment, formerly part of the 98th Guards Airborne Division. The unit became part of Ukraine's 1st Airmobile Division in December 1993 and later moved to Hvardiiske between May and June 2002. In the same period it received the honorary designation "Dnipropetrovsk," which was later withdrawn from official use when the brigade received the name "Sicheslav" in 2021. Although it is a military formation rather than a commercial brand, the brigade has a distinctive public identity built around its airborne role, regimental colour, insignia, traditions, and combat reputation. It is notable within the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces for retaining BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicles and for its stated ability to parachute personnel together with armored vehicles from Il-76MD transport aircraft. In practice, its equipment has expanded beyond traditional airborne vehicles to include Western-supplied and Ukrainian systems, reflecting the changing requirements of the war in Ukraine. The brigade served overseas in the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo during the late 1990s. It also took part in Ukraine's response to the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas. In June 2014, an Il-76 transport aircraft carrying brigade personnel was shot down near Luhansk, killing 40 members of the unit. The brigade also deployed a company to Crimea during the 2014 crisis and became one of the Ukrainian formations that withdrew from the peninsula as an organized unit while retaining its weapons. A proposal to disband the brigade was subsequently reversed. During Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, the 25th Brigade fought in multiple sectors. It participated in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, advancing rapidly through Russian-held territory and helping seize Izium on 10 September 2022. It subsequently took part in operations around Lyman and in the Luhansk region. In later phases of the war, the brigade spent substantial time defending the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk Oblast. Reports have associated it with Leopard 1A5 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, Giatsint-S artillery, unmanned systems, and other equipment supplied through state and private channels. The brigade's public profile has been reinforced by official honors and battlefield recognition. It received the honorary name "Sicheslav" in 2021 and the citation "For Courage and Bravery" in 2022. Its recent operations have included defensive actions around Berdychi, Orlivka, and Pokrovsk, the use of unmanned technology in combat, and the liberation of Kotlyne near Pokrovsk in February 2025. As an active Ukrainian combat formation, its organization, equipment, commanders, and operational assignments may change as the war continues.

The brigade's institutional lineage reaches back to the Soviet airborne forces. From June to August 1969, the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment of the 98th Guards Airborne Division was based in Bolhrad, in what is now Ukraine. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the division was divided between Ukraine and Russia. In spring 1993, the regiment relocated to Ivanovo in Russia, while Ukraine formed its own airborne formation in Bolhrad from associated personnel and resources. The Ukrainian brigade was established in May 1993 on the order of Ukraine's Minister of Defence. It became part of the 1st Airmobile Division on 1 December 1993. Between October 1995 and December 1999, approximately 800 brigade paratroopers served in the 240th Special Battalion in the former Yugoslavia and later in Kosovo peacekeeping operations. These deployments formed an important part of the unit's early post-Soviet international service. The brigade moved from Bolhrad to Hvardiiske in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast between May and June 2002. It received the honorary name "Dnipropetrovsk" in recognition of combat achievements and professional standards, and President Leonid Kuchma presented a new war flag on 16 July 2002. On 8 November 2002, the brigade transferred from the 1st Airmobile Division to the 6th Army Corps. The unit was involved in Ukraine's response to the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in Donbas. A company deployed to Crimea and withdrew as an organized Ukrainian formation while retaining its arms. During the Donbas fighting, an Il-76 transport aircraft was shot down near Luhansk on 13 June 2014; the incident killed 40 brigade servicemembers. A proposal by acting President Oleksandr Turchynov to disband the brigade was later abandoned, and the unit continued active service in eastern Ukraine. The 25th Brigade fought throughout Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In March 2022, brigade material documented the destruction of Russian T-72 tanks. During the September 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, elements began advancing at approximately 3:30 a.m. on 6 September, moved about 18 kilometres to Volokhiv Yar, and continued toward Izium. The brigade entered Izium on 10 September after an unexpected Russian withdrawal. It was then ordered toward Lyman, entering the city from the direction of Drobysheve after operations around Korovii Yar. By November 2022, elements were still engaged in the Luhansk region. In October 2023, Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that the brigade had shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. In 2024, the formation was heavily engaged on the Pokrovsk axis and operated a mixed fleet that included Leopard 1A5 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, Giatsint-S 152 mm self-propelled guns, and equipment obtained through fundraising. In September, it reportedly used a Ukrainian Ratel S unmanned vehicle in tunnel-clearing operations near Novohrodivka. The brigade also received official praise for defensive operations around Berdychi and Orlivka and for resisting intensified Russian attacks around Pokrovsk. In February 2025, the brigade reported participating in the liberation of Kotlyne near Pokrovsk. During the fighting, nine Russian soldiers surrendered to a Ukrainian UAV fitted with a loudspeaker, after which brigade personnel helped clear the settlement. The brigade remains an active combat formation, so details of its deployment, structure, leadership, and equipment are subject to change.

• 2025

  Operations to liberate Kotlyne

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade participated in the liberation of Kotlyne near Pokrovsk and reported the capture of nine Russian soldiers who surrendered after contact with a UAV.

• 2022

  Awarded For Courage and Bravery

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade received the honorary citation For Courage and Bravery on 28 June.

• 2022

  Operations in the Kharkiv counteroffensive

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade advanced through Russian-held territory and helped capture Izium before continuing operations toward Lyman.

• 2021

  Renamed Sicheslav

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade received the honorary name Sicheslav by presidential decree during Ukraine's Independence Day commemorations.

• 2014

  Il-76 disaster near Luhansk

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  An Il-76 carrying brigade personnel was shot down near Luhansk, killing 40 servicemembers.

• 2002

  Relocation to Hvardiiske and receipt of the Dnipropetrovsk title

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade relocated to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, received the honorary name Dnipropetrovsk, and transferred to the 6th Army Corps.

• 1995

  Peacekeeping deployment to the former Yugoslavia

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  Beginning in October, brigade personnel served in the 240th Special Battalion in the former Yugoslavia and later in Kosovo until 1999.

• 1993

  Formation in Bolhrad

  [1]25th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  Ukraine formed the brigade in May from elements associated with the Soviet 217th Guards Airborne Regiment. It joined the 1st Airmobile Division later that year.

A Ukrainian elite airborne and air assault formation positioned around rapid deployment, parachute-enabled armored operations, battlefield mobility, and sustained frontline combat capability.

• Military capability · 1993

  Airborne and air assault capability

  The brigade's core capability is the deployment and employment of airborne infantry in high-mobility combat operations. It is described as the only Ukrainian Air Assault Forces unit able to parachute personnel together with armored vehicles from Il-76MD aircraft, giving it a specialized rapid-deployment role.

• Armored vehicles

  BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne vehicles

  The 25th Brigade is distinguished within Ukraine's airborne forces by its possession of BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicles. These vehicles are designed for air-mobile operations and provide protected transport and direct-fire support for airborne troops.

• Combat equipment · 2024

  Mixed armored and artillery fleet

  During the war, the brigade has operated a broader equipment mix than its traditional airborne vehicles, including German Leopard 1A5 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and Giatsint-S 152 mm self-propelled artillery systems.

• Unmanned systems · 2024

  Unmanned systems

  The brigade has employed unmanned systems in combat and engineering tasks. Reported uses include a Ukrainian-built Ratel S unmanned ground vehicle for tunnel-clearing work and a loudspeaker-equipped UAV used during the surrender of Russian soldiers near Kotlyne.

• 2025Kotlyne operation

  Kotlyne · Pokrovsk direction

  The brigade participated in the operation to retake Kotlyne near Pokrovsk and helped clear the settlement after Russian forces had captured it in January.

  Outcome. Ukrainian forces reported liberating Kotlyne and capturing nine Russian soldiers.

  Source
• 2024Pokrovsk defensive operations

  Pokrovsk direction · Donetsk Oblast

  The brigade spent much of the period defending the Pokrovsk direction, using mixed armored vehicles, artillery, and unmanned systems against intensified Russian attacks.

  Outcome. The brigade received official recognition for its defensive contribution.

  Source
• 2023Operations in eastern Ukraine

  Eastern Ukraine

  The brigade continued combat operations during the full-scale invasion, including an operation in which Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said it shot down a Russian Mi-8.

  Outcome. The brigade remained engaged in frontline operations.

  Source
• 2022Kharkiv counteroffensive

  Kharkiv Oblast · Donetsk Oblast

  The brigade advanced rapidly from the Kharkiv region toward Izium and then participated in operations to capture Lyman.

  Outcome. The brigade helped take Izium on 10 September and continued toward Lyman and the Luhansk region.

  Source
• 2014Crimea and Donbas operations

  Crimea · Donbas

  The brigade deployed a company to Crimea during its annexation by Russia and subsequently took an active role in fighting in eastern Ukraine.

  Outcome. The Crimea contingent withdrew as an organized unit while retaining its weapons; the brigade continued serving in the Donbas war.

  Source
• 1995Former Yugoslavia and Kosovo peacekeeping

  Former Yugoslavia · Kosovo

  Approximately 800 brigade paratroopers served in the 240th Special Battalion from 1995 through 1999, first in the former Yugoslavia and later in Kosovo peacekeeping operations.

  Outcome. The deployment concluded in December 1999.

  Source

• 2021

  Adoption of the Sicheslav honorary nameStrategy

  Background

  Ukraine revised the honorary designations of military formations as part of broader national military and historical identity policies.

  Action taken

  A presidential decree assigned the brigade the name Sicheslavska, replacing the earlier Dnipropetrovsk designation in official use.

  Aftermath

  The Sicheslav name became the brigade's principal public and ceremonial identity.

  Source

• 2002

  Relocation and command reassignmentStrategy

  Background

  The brigade underwent organizational changes within Ukraine's mobile forces.

  Action taken

  It moved to Hvardiiske, received the Dnipropetrovsk honorary designation, and transferred to the 6th Army Corps.

  Aftermath

  Hvardiiske became the brigade's principal base and remains associated with its headquarters.

  Source

• 1993

  Creation of a Ukrainian airborne brigadeStrategy

  Background

  After the Soviet Union dissolved, Ukraine needed national airborne formations and command structures.

  Action taken

  The Ministry of Defence formed the brigade in Bolhrad from elements associated with the former Soviet airborne regiment.

  Aftermath

  The unit became part of Ukraine's 1st Airmobile Division and developed into a long-term Air Assault Forces formation.

  Source

1. 125th Airborne Brigadeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of the 25th Air Assault Brigade25ovdbr.desant.com.ua