117th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade

The 117th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade (117 OVMBr) —

one of the newest formations of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,

formed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion.

The brigade is part of the 10th Army Corps

and is the second in Ukraine to receive "heavy mechanized" status.

The 117th OVMBr was formed in late January 2023.

The brigade's staffing and combat coordination were conducted at the Rivne combined-arms training ground.

In May 2023, the brigade was relocated to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast,

and in June — to the Orikhiv area in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where it began offensive operations.

In October 2024, the brigade was reorganized into a heavy mechanized one.

The brigade's structure is oriented toward the reinforced use of tank units.

Although the detailed composition is classified, it is known to include the 15th Separate Rifle Battalion.

Polish PT-91 Twardy tanks;
M113 armored personnel carriers (USA);
Roshel Senator and Oshkosh armored vehicles;
small arms: M4A1 carbines, Browning machine guns;

Tanks play the main strike role in the brigade, ensuring effectiveness in both offensive and defensive operations.

The brigade actively cooperates with educational institutions,

including signing a memorandum of cooperation in February 2025

with the Kremenchuk Department of Education.

Servicemen conduct classes in the "Defense of Ukraine" subject

and contribute to the military-patriotic education of young people.

Since June 2023, the brigade has taken part in the offensive in the Melitopol direction,

liberating the front-line sector Mala Tokmachka — Novoprokopivka — Robotyne — Novodanylivka.

In January 2025, the brigade marked the second anniversary of its founding,

underscoring its commitment to defending Ukraine.