30th Separate Mechanized Brigade

The 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozky (30 OMBr, military unit A0409) is a formation of mechanized troops within the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Under the organizational structure, it is part of the "North" Operational Command.

During the war in eastern Ukraine, the brigade fought heavy battles in Sector "D" in 2014.

The brigade bears the name of Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozky — a military commander of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania-Rus in the early modern period.

In January 1992, the 30th Guards Tank Division joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In February 1992, the division's personnel swore an oath of allegiance to the people of Ukraine. According to Directive of the Chief of the General Staff No. 115/1/0627 of August 25, 1993, it joined the combat structure of the 8th Army Corps.

According to the training plan of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, from November 10 to 18, 1994, units of the 30th Tank Division were inspected by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, headed by Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General V. T. Sobkov. Based on the inspection results, the state of affairs in the division's units was rated "satisfactory."

According to Directive of the Commander of the Northern Operational Command of December 31, 1997, No. 30/1/0201, the 319th Mechanized Regiment was disbanded.

By Decree of the President of Ukraine dated October 20, 1999, in recognition of the personnel's combat merits during the Great Patriotic War, their high professionalism in carrying out assigned tasks in peacetime, and to raise young soldiers on the combat traditions of the older generation, the division was given the honorary name "Novohrad-Volynsk," while retaining all its existing honorary titles and awards. At the same time, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma presented the division with its battle flag.

In October 2000, on the basis of the division, command-staff mobilization exercises with an actual call-up of reservists were held for the first time in the history of independent Ukraine and its Armed Forces. President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Army General Oleksandr Kuzmuk, and Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Petro Shuliak, who attended the exercises, highly praised the combat training of the tank crews and the overall state of the formation.

By October 30, 2003, in accordance with a Directive of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the division was reorganized into the 30th Separate Guards Tank Brigade, retaining all its honorary titles and awards.

On July 30, 2004, in accordance with a Directive of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, the tank brigade was reorganized into the 30th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade.

    1st Mechanized Battalion
    2nd Mechanized Battalion
    3rd Mechanized Battalion
    2nd Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion "Horyn"
    "Zli Sapsany" Unmanned Systems Battalion
    Tank Battalion
    Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Battalion

    Brigade Artillery Group:

      Command and Artillery Reconnaissance Battery
      Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion (2S3M "Akatsiya")
      Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion (2S1 "Gvozdika")
      Rocket Artillery Battalion (BM-21 "Grad")
      Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion (MT-12 "Rapira")


    Sniper Company
    Reconnaissance Company
    Signal Center
    Electronic Warfare Company
    Radar Company
    Engineer Support Group
    NBC Protection Company
    Materiel and Technical Support Battalion
    Repair and Recovery Battalion
    Medical Company
    Commandant's Platoon

Main weapons of the brigade:

    BMP-2: the brigade's main infantry fighting vehicle
    T-64 tanks: used by the tank battalion; equipped with 125mm guns and modern fire control systems
    Captured equipment: in 2022 the brigade captured Russian IFVs, MT-LBs, and ammunition in the Izium direction

Culture and traditions

    Motto: "DEI GRATIA" ("By the Grace of God")
    Sleeve patch: features the symbol of Prince Ostrozky — a spur, and colors symbolizing the continuity of tradition
    Commemoration: a pedestal has been erected in honor of the infantry and combat crews; a memorial bearing the names of fallen soldiers is planned
    Cooperation: close interaction with other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the "Azov" regiment during front-line rotations