Kinophile Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) This thread is an attempt to collate current information on the organization & condition of the Ukrainian Ground Forces - specifically the combat elements of its Army, National Guard, Spetsnaz, Airborne/Air mobile, Artillery and Air Defence. 1) It does not claim to be comprehensive or definitive, merely useful and informative. 2) - - - THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL DISCUSSION THREAD - - - Threads in this forum have an unfortunate tendency to drift into politicized/fact v fact arguments*. This thread aims to avoid that bad habit. All I/we ask is that you respect the objective, subject, structure and contributors of this thread. Please.... 3) I am not a moderator, administrator or pally-pals with BFC. I have no formal or informal authority on these forums. Now, that said, I will objectively and reasonably flag/report posts that are OT, not relevant or distracting. How @Battlefront.com responds or deals with those flags (if at all) is entirely up to him. 4) POSTING NOTES: please try to hastag-header your posts with a category - eg, "ARMY", MECH INF., COMPANY ORGANIZATION, etc. This will drastically help collation for the follow on thread. See my next posts for an example. 5) Where applicable I will include Wikipedia links in order to simplify this thread. 6) Once a certain body of information is built up I will construct another thread with that information posted in its proper order. Now, forward.. *Which I personally am guilty of contributing to. Edited June 30, 2016 by kinophile 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) #ARMY COMBAT FORMATIONS Armoured units Mechanized Infantry Mountain Infantry Airborne Infantry Rocket units Artillery units Edited June 30, 2016 by kinophile 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) #NATIONAL GUARD COMBAT FORMATIONS Armoured units Mechanized Infantry Mountain Infantry Airborne Infantry Edited June 30, 2016 by kinophile 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) @BTR's thread about vehicle composition of various UKR formations. http://community.battlefront.com/topic/121587-current-ukrainian-battalion-structure/#comment-1646238 This includes very useful feedback from @Wieking and @Haiduk Edited June 30, 2016 by kinophile 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) #MECHANIZED INFANTRY Besides the Donbass War the Ukrainian Ground Forces were slowly updating their structure and equipment. CMBS reflected the intended updates at the time, but naturally the War threw all that out the window. Notably, the original intention was to remove the Soviet era BMP-1, but the sudden mobilization of 200,000 draftees killed that idea and the BMP-1 is now common across many formations. Better to have some kind of tracked vehicle, than nothing at all.. As a result of the twin pressures of the mobilization and combat attrition there is a certain amount of mixing and match across mech Inf formations. Generally it appears that battalions are e homogeneous in AFV/IFVs but that brigades may not be. Also National Guard units tend to have newer vehicles but are not very homogeneous in their inventory. Edited June 30, 2016 by kinophile 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Hm... All need information already given in game manual, so I don't know what to add and either it need to do... But ok, if somebody will have any questions about UKR force structures (not only Army Ground Forces) or about operations in Donbas, I will try to answer. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted July 2, 2016 Author Share Posted July 2, 2016 Correct, I should clarify - this thread is to augment existing information in the manual and on other open source sites such as wikipedia. An example would be notes and observations on discipline issues within both the UKR and Donbass forces. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) Current Ukrainian land forces order of battle: Armored Forces: 1 tank brigade 17 tank brigade Air mobile: 25 airborne brigade 45 air assault brigade 49 air assault brigade 80 air assault brigade attached: 87 separate airmobile battalion 81 air assault brigade -90 air assault battalion -122 air assault battalion -148 self propelled artillery battalion 95 air assault brigade attached: 13 separate air assault battalion Mechanized infantry: 14 mechanized brigade attached: 1 motorized infantry battalion 24 mechanized brigade attached: 3 motorized infantry battalion 28 mechanized brigade attached: 18 motorized infantry battalion 30 mechanized brigade attached: 2 motorized infantry battalion 53 mechanized brigade attached: 43 motorized infantry battalion 72 mechanized brigade attached: 14 motorized infantry battalion 92 mechanized brigade attached: 22 motorized infantry battalion 93 mechanized brigade attached: 20 motorized infantry battalion Motorized Infantry: 56 motorized infantry brigade -21 motorized infantry battalion -23 motorized infantry battalion -37 motorized infantry battalion 57 motorized infantry brigade -17 motorized infantry battalion -34 motorized infantry battalion -42 motorized infantry battalion 58 motorized infantry brigade -13 motorized infantry battalion -15 motorized infantry battalion -16 motorized infantry battalion 59 motorized infantry brigade -9 motorized infantry battalion -10 motorized infantry battalion -11 motorized infantry battalion Mountain infantry: 128 mountain infantry brigade -4 motorized infantry battalion -15 mountain infantry battalion -534 engineer battalion 10 mountain assault brigade -8 mountain assault battalion -24 mountain assault battalion -46 mountain assault battalion Marine: 35 marine brigade -1 marine battalion -501 marine battalion -701 marine battalion 137 separate marine battalion Artillery: 15 rocket artillery regiment 107 rocket artillery regiment 19 rocket brigade attached: 12 motorized infantry battalion 27 rocket artillery brigade attached: 41 motorized infantry battalion 40 artillery brigade attached: 19 motorized infantry battalion 43 artillery brigade (large caliber) attached: 45 motorized infantry battalion 44 artillery brigade -142 artillery battalion -150 anti-tank artillery battalion -6 motorized infantry battalion 55 artillery brigade attached: 39 motorized infantry battalion Surface to Air 38 surface to air rocket regiment 39 surface to air rocket regiment 1039 surface to air rocket regiment 1129 surface to air rocket regiment Special Forces 54 reconnaissance battalion 74 reconnaissance battalion 130 reconnaissance battalion 131 reconnaissance battalion 3 special force regiment 8 special force regiment 73 naval special force center 140 special force center Edited October 22, 2016 by Krater 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 I've been able to find only fragmentary information about structure and armaments for motorized infantry battalions. They seem to be of 3 company variety, armed with light infantry weapons and mounted on unarmored trucks. They will have some or all of the following attachments: -tank platoon -ZU-23 AAA platoon -anti-tank platoon (ATGM/SPG-9) -120mm mortar platoon -Recon platoon on BRDM/BTR 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, Krater said: I've been able to find only fragmentary information about structure and armaments for motorized infantry battalions. They seem to be of 3 company variety, armed with light infantry weapons and mounted on unarmored trucks. They will have some or all of the following attachments: -tank platoon -ZU-23 AAA platoon -anti-tank platoon (ATGM/SPG-9) -120mm mortar platoon -Recon platoon on BRDM/BTR Motorized infantry battalions are former 32 territorial defense battalions, which were re-organized in 2015 and subordinated to exist tank, mechanized and artillery brigades. But sooon part of its were used for new-established motorized infantry brigades. There are 56th, 57th, 58th, 59th brigades. They usually has one tank company (mostly T-72B), three motorized infantry battalions, 1-2 152 mm D-20 howitzers battalions (towed version of 2S3), AT-battalion of MT-12. Motorized infantry battalion has the same combat structure as mechanized, but only one of companies has armor - IFV or APC. Recon platoons and brigade reckon company equipped with BRDM-2 and civil jeeps, sometime has BTRs. Some battalions in 2015 have own tank company 24th "Aydar", 25th "Kyivska Rus' ", 13th "Cernihiv-1". Other either have tank platoon, or hasn't tanks. Also some battalions has reinforced AT-units. So, now impossible to say about single battalion structure, depending on its subordination, they can some differs in heavy weapon. Motorized brigades are planned to turn into mechanized, when enough quantity of armor and artillery will be available. Motorized infantry brigades has main task to stay in defense on fortified positions, secure close rear or flanks of mech.infantry/tank/artillery units, to conduct secondary offensive operations. Edited October 22, 2016 by Haiduk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Charlemagne Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Do those Ukrainian air mobile forces have their helicopter transports or are they motorized/mechanized? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) 28 minutes ago, AtheistDane said: Do those Ukrainian air mobile forces have their helicopter transports or are they motorized/mechanized? Airmobile units now re-organized in air-assault. Their primary task now - deep raids, assault actions and offensive actions on narrow front. Of course, they keep parachute training, but all their airborne missions now is minor tactical landings or movings with Mi-8. Now air-assault units more and more became "elite assault infantry" with helicopter drop option. Though, 25th airborne brigade still exactly as airborn and can be moved by IL-76 aircraft and drop own armor with parachutes. But from three battalions only one save own BMDs, which can be dropped. Other two, though keep name itself "airborne" de-facto already also air-assault, beacuse has BTRs. Edited October 22, 2016 by Haiduk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 #NATIONAL GUARD COMBAT FORMATIONS 1st operational brigade 2nd operational brigade 3rd operational brigade 4th operational brigade 1st rapid reaction (light infantry) brigade 8th special purpose regiment "Yaguar" 9th special purpose regiment "Gepard" 18th operational regiment -1st battalion -"Donbass" battalion -"Azov" battalion 50/4 operational battalion "Kruk" 1/27 operational battalion "Kulchitsky" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 Excellent information, gentlemen! Thank you! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) On 22.10.2016 at 6:39 PM, Krater said: #NATIONAL GUARD COMBAT FORMATIONS Indeed much more. Here complete list: National Guard central command - United communication node of NGU (mil.unit 3077, Kyiv region) - guard aviation base (m/u 2269, Oleksandriya, Kropyvnytskyi region) - "Omega" separate antiterror detachment (approx. small battalion-size w/o heavy support weapon, Kyiv region) - 22nd brigade of foreign embassies security (m/u 2260, Kyiv, has special force company) - 1st separtate battalion of important objects security (m/u 3041, Kyiv region, Chornobyl' nuclear plant) - 2nd separtate battalion of important objects security (m/u 3042, Energodar, Zaporizhia nuclear plant) - 3rd separtate battalion of important objects security (m/u 3043 Netyshyn, Khmelnytsk nuclear plant) - 4th separtate battalion of important objects security (m/u 3044 Pivdenno-Ukrayinsk, Mykolaiv region, South-Ukranian nuclear plant) - 5th separtate battalion of important objects security (m/u 3045 Varash, Rivne nuclear plant) Northern operative-tactical grouping - HQ (m/u 3031, Kyiv) - 1st operational brigade "Bars" (m/u 3027, Kyiv region) - 1st rapid reaction (assault) light infantry brigade (m/u, 3018, Hostomel, Kyiv region. Not operational yet, personnel is under tough Israeli instructors training. Now has only two combat ready companies and some support units. In some sources also has been named 4th operational brigade) - 25th public order security brigade (m/u 3030, Kyiv) - 27th escort brigade (m/u 3066, two battalions in Kyiv, one in Chernihiv, also + reserve operational battalion "General Kulchytskyi") - 25th separate battalion (m/u 3061, Cherkasy) - 75th separate battalion (m/u 3047, Zhytomyr) Centarl operative-tactical grouping - HQ (m/u 3006, Dnipro) - recon special force detachment (Dnipro, less company size) - 21st public order security brigade (m/u 3011, two battalions in Kryvyi Rig, one in Kropyvnytskyi) - 23rd public order security brigade (m/u 3033, per battalion in Zaporizhia, Melitopol', Berdiansk, Energodar) - 9th operative regiment "Gepard" (m/u 3029, Zaporizhia) - 16th public order security regiment (m/u 3036, Dnipro) - 1st important objects security regiment (m/u 3021, Dnipro, strategic missile factory and other city industry security, escort of important military cargos) - 4th important objects security regiment (m/u 3024, Pavlograd, strategic military chemical factory security) - 12th separate battalion (m/u 3052, Poltava) - 16th separate escort battalion (m/u 3054, Dnipro) - 19th separate escort battalion (m/u 3026, Zaporizhia) - 26th separate battalion (m/u 3059, Kremenchuk) Eastern operative-tactical grouping - HQ (m/u 2240, Kharkiv) - special force recon detachment "Ares" (Kharkiv, has UAV unit) - 3rd operational brigade (m/u 3017, Kharkiv) - 5th separate brigade "Slobozhanska" (m/u 3005, Kharkiv) - 15 separate regiment (m/u 3035, Sloviansk, Donetsk region) - 18th operational regiment (m/u 3057 Mariupol, including special purpose detachment (unofficially regiment) "Azov" and special purpose battalion "Donbas") - 2nd important objects security regiment (m/u 3022, Shostka, Sumy region, ammunition and HE factories security) - 11th separate battalion (m/u 3051, Sumy) Southern operative-tactical grouping - HQ (m/u 3003, Odesa) - special force recon detachment - 19th public order security regiment (m/u 3039, Mykolaiv) - 16th separate battalion (m/u 3056, Kherson) - 33rd public order security battalion (m/u 3012, Odesa) - 34th separate escort battalion (m/u 3014, Odesa) Western operative-tactical grouping - HQ (m/u 2250, L'viv) - special force recon detachment - 2nd separate brigade "Galytska" (m/u 3002, per battalion in L'viv, Uzhhorod, Ternopil, Rivne) - 8th operational regiment "Jaguar" (m/u 3028, Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region) - 40th separate regiment (m/u 3008, Vinnytsia) - 45th separate regiment (m/u 4114, L'viv) - 50th separate regiment (m/u 1241, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kalush, Chernivtsi, including 4th operative battalion "Kruk") - 13th separate battalion (m/u 3053, Khmelnytskyi, Kamyanets-Podilskyi) - 32nd separate battalion (m/u 1141, Lutsk) ___________________________ When you see this names "brigade", "regiment", "battalion", keep in mind, that its not equal to army. Operational battalion, for example, has less 300 men. During the war from escort and civil order security units were forming temporary combined companies and battalions, which were directing in ATO zone. Edited October 23, 2016 by Haiduk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinophile Posted October 23, 2016 Author Share Posted October 23, 2016 You list Rapid Reaction and Fast Reaction units - is this a translation error (ie both should be Rapid Reaction) or an actually different unit/function? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) 10 minutes ago, kinophile said: You list Rapid Reaction and Fast Reaction units - is this a translation error (ie both should be Rapid Reaction) or an actually different unit/function? This is the same unit. Maybe, I not completely understand difference between "fast" and "rapid". Ukrainian "shvydkyi" is directly translate as "fast", but if correct English military equivalent is "rapid", let it be Edited October 23, 2016 by Haiduk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 4 hours ago, Haiduk said: When you see this names "brigade", "regiment", "battalion", keep in mind, that its not equal to army. Operational battalion, for example, has less 300 men. During the war from escort and civil order security units were forming temporary combined companies and battalions, which were directing in ATO zone. I know, but I decided to exclude those units on the grounds that they are really not combat units. But thank you for posting them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiduk Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) 25 minutes ago, Krater said: I know, but I decided to exclude those units on the grounds that they are really not combat units. But thank you for posting them. All National Guard units now have combat training, but of course exist unoficial segments of "combat" and "security" units, but even battalions of nuclear plants security already has experience of ATO service and combat. "Security" battalions also is equipping with new APCs or armored cars, though not always can use it properly - their motivation to combat mostly too low. For example, during actions around "checkpoint 32" in 2015, combined detachment of 40th separate regiment, when was leaving position, have abandoned two BTR-4, almost not damaged its. Other combined unit of some regiment from Western OTG, during withdrawing from Debaltseve bogged on own BTR-4 and armored truck "Raptor", couldn't pull its back and just set fire both vehicles. Edited October 23, 2016 by Haiduk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 1 hour ago, Haiduk said: All National Guard units now have combat training, but of course exist unoficial segments of "combat" and "security" units, but even battalions of nuclear plants security already has experience of ATO service and combat. "Security" battalions also is equipping with new APCs or armored cars, though not always can use it properly - their motivation to combat mostly too low. For example, during actions around "checkpoint 32" in 2015, combined detachment of 40th separate regiment, when was leaving position, have abandoned two BTR-4, almost not damaged its. Other combined unit of some regiment from Western OTG, during withdrawing from Debaltseve bogged on own BTR-4 and armored truck "Raptor", couldn't pull its back and just set fire both vehicles. I think that also brings up one key issue - while individuals in those units may have combat or security ATO experience, they probably don't train for combat operations as a unit. And that's pretty important. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krater Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Ukrainian brigades are significantly understrength. According to multiple reports, the current manning levels in combat brigades deployed in the ATO are running anywhere from 40% to 70% understrength. In part, this is related to demobilization of the 4th,5th and 6th wave and insufficient quantity of people signing contracts for service. Though all of the servicemen and officers who served in the last two years have automatically entered reserves and are available to be called up, obviously this makes the current deployment much more brittle. In case of sudden attack by separatists/Russian forces there may not be time to integrate reservists back into their units before the front line folds. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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