38th Marine Brigade (Ukraine)

The 38th Separate Marine Brigade is a naval infantry formation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and part of the Ukrainian Marine Corps. It was established in February 2023 during an expansion of Ukraine's marine infantry structure, with its organizational foundation drawn from the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion. The formation of the brigade took place alongside the creation of the 37th Marine Brigade, reflecting Ukraine's wartime effort to enlarge and reorganize its amphibious and coastal-defense forces after Russia's full-scale invasion. The brigade's formal military designation is Military Unit A4765. Its original identity was that of a newly raised separate marine formation rather than a long-established pre-war brigade. During the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, it received French-made AMX-10 RC armored reconnaissance vehicles. These vehicles provided mobile reconnaissance and direct-fire support capabilities, although the brigade's principal role remained that of a combined-arms naval infantry unit operating under the Ukrainian Marine Corps. From at least July 2023, the brigade took part in fighting on the Vuhledar axis in southern Donetsk Oblast. It operated with other Ukrainian marine formations, including the 35th Marine Brigade. On 16 August 2023, Ukrainian forces from the two brigades were reported to have liberated Urozhaine, a village that had been occupied by Russian forces. The operation formed part of Ukraine's broader 2023 counteroffensive and illustrated the brigade's employment in difficult ground combat rather than only in an amphibious or coastal role. The unit later received formal recognition from the Ukrainian state. On 6 December 2024, it was awarded the honorary distinction For Courage and Bravery by presidential decision. On 23 May 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted it the honorary title "named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny," linking the brigade's official identity to the prominent Ukrainian military and political leader of the Cossack era. Its full commemorative designation consequently became the 38th Separate Marine Brigade "Hetman Petro Sahaidachny." As an active military formation, the brigade is not a commercial brand and does not offer consumer products or services. Its public-facing identity is expressed through its military designation, insignia, commemorative name, official communications, and battlefield role. Detailed information about its current command, precise order of battle, deployment locations, personnel strength, and equipment inventory is not established by the supplied reference material and is therefore omitted.

The 38th Separate Marine Brigade was formed in February 2023 as part of a major expansion of Ukraine's Marine Corps during the full-scale war with Russia. Its organizational basis was the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion, and its creation was carried out alongside the establishment of the 37th Marine Brigade. The new formations increased the size and operational depth of Ukraine's naval infantry at a time when marine units were being used not only for coastal and amphibious missions but also for demanding land operations. The brigade is designated Military Unit A4765 and operates as a separate formation within the Ukrainian Marine Corps, itself a component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Publicly available information in the supplied reference does not provide a complete account of its subordinate battalions, command structure, permanent garrison, or personnel strength. Those details are therefore not stated here. During Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive, the brigade was equipped with French-made AMX-10 RC armored reconnaissance vehicles. The vehicles expanded its mobile reconnaissance and fire-support capabilities and reflected the broader integration of Western military assistance into Ukrainian formations. The brigade subsequently saw combat on the Vuhledar axis in southern Donetsk Oblast, with participation documented from at least July 2023. The brigade operated in cooperation with other Ukrainian marine formations, notably the 35th Marine Brigade. On 16 August 2023, forces from the two brigades liberated Urozhaine, a settlement in the Vuhledar direction. The operation placed the newly formed brigade within the active ground campaign of the 2023 counteroffensive and demonstrated the use of Ukrainian marine infantry in sustained combined-arms fighting away from a strictly maritime environment. The unit's service was later recognized through two official honors. On 6 December 2024, it received the presidential honorary award For Courage and Bravery. On 23 May 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted it the commemorative name of Hetman Petro Sahaidachny. This honor gave the formation its current full designation, the 38th Separate Marine Brigade "Hetman Petro Sahaidachny." The name commemorates Petro Sahaidachny, a prominent Cossack hetman associated with military leadership and Ukrainian history. The brigade remains an active Ukrainian military formation. Because it is a security-sensitive wartime unit, current deployment, losses, equipment holdings, command personnel, and detailed operational structure may change or may not be publicly disclosed. No commercial products, financial disclosures, stock listing, or corporate ownership structure apply to the brigade.

• 2025

  Honorary name granted

  [1]38th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  On 23 May 2025, the brigade was granted the honorary name Hetman Petro Sahaidachny by presidential decree.

• 2024

  For Courage and Bravery award

  [1]38th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade received the Ukrainian presidential honorary award For Courage and Bravery on 6 December 2024.

• 2023

  Formation of the brigade

  [1]38th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The 38th Separate Marine Brigade was formed in February 2023 from a basis in the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion during the expansion of Ukraine's Marine Corps.

• 2023

  Deployment to the Vuhledar direction

  [1]38th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  The brigade participated in combat on the Vuhledar axis from at least July 2023.

• 2023

  Liberation of Urozhaine

  [1]38th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org

  Working with the 35th Marine Brigade, the unit took part in the liberation of Urozhaine on 16 August 2023.

A Ukrainian naval infantry brigade focused on expeditionary, coastal-defense, reconnaissance, and combined-arms ground operations within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• 20232023 Ukrainian counteroffensive

  Ukraine · Vuhledar direction

  The brigade participated in Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive and operated in the Vuhledar direction. It worked alongside the 35th Marine Brigade and was equipped with French AMX-10 RC armored reconnaissance vehicles during this period.

  Outcome. The brigade and the 35th Marine Brigade were reported to have liberated Urozhaine on 16 August 2023.

  Source

• 2023

  Creation of a new marine brigadeStrategy

  Background

  Ukraine expanded its Marine Corps during the full-scale war, creating the 38th Brigade alongside the 37th Marine Brigade.

  Action taken

  The 38th Brigade was formed from a foundation associated with the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion.

  Aftermath

  The new formation entered combat operations during the 2023 counteroffensive.

  Source

• 2023

  Adoption of AMX-10 RC armored reconnaissance vehiclesOther

  Background

  The brigade required mobile reconnaissance and fire-support capabilities for combat operations during the 2023 counteroffensive.

  Action taken

  French-manufactured AMX-10 RC vehicles were assigned to or used by the formation.

  Aftermath

  The equipment supported the brigade's combined-arms operations in southern Ukraine.

  Source

1. 138th Marine Brigadeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official social-media page of the 38th Separate Marine Brigadefacebook.com