56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade

The 56th Separate Motorized Infantry "Mariupolska" Brigade (56 OMPBr) is a combat formation of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, formed on February 23, 2015, to take part in the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine. Since 2016, the brigade has been stationed in Mariupol, which is reflected in its honorary name.

Since 2015, the brigade has taken direct part in the ATO in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. It fought in the zone Sartana – Hnutove — Pavlopil — Talakivka — Chermalyk — Novoselivka — Chyhyrlyk.

In 2017, the brigade's battalions held sectors on the Crimean border and in Avdiivka.

Since 2018, the area of responsibility of the brigade's battalions included the settlements of Vodiane, Opytne, Pisky, Nevelske, Netaylove, Pervomaiske, and Krasnohorivka.

From November 2021 to February 2022, the brigade's line of responsibility was defined by the settlements of Opytne, Vodiane, Pisky, and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast. Another part of the brigade met the enemy in the city of Mariupol, where its defenders held back the enemy alongside other units. During the fierce fighting, the brigade suffered losses of personnel killed and captured.

In February–March 2022, the brigade fought defensive battles for Volnovakha, parallel to events in Mariupol and Pisky.

In November 2022, the brigade was sent to reinforce the Zaporizhzhia direction, near the settlement of Huliaipole. At the same time, the 21st Separate Battalion "Sarmat" conducted assault operations in the vicinity of the city of Vuhledar, successfully carrying out missions to liberate the "Vuhledar Dachas" area.

During the 2022 counteroffensive, the 39th Separate Rifle Battalion took part in the battles for the settlement of Krynky on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast.

Since February 2023, the brigade has carried out missions in the Bakhmut direction. Together with adjacent units, it fought for the outskirts of Bakhmut, in the settlements of Berkhivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, and Bohdanivka.

On May 5, 2023, the brigade was awarded the honorary distinction "For Courage and Valor"

Since 2024, the brigade has continued to hold the defense in Donetsk Oblast, carrying out missions in the Chasiv Yar (Kramatorsk) direction

Rifle Battalion (SB)
1st Motorized Infantry Battalion (1MPB)
2nd Motorized Infantry Battalion (2MPB)
3rd Motorized Infantry Battalion (3MPB)
Tank Battalion (TB)
Unmanned Systems Battalion (BBS)
Materiel Support Battalion (BMZ)
Repair and Recovery Battalion (RVB)
Command Battalion
Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Battalion (ZRADn)
Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion (SADn)
Electronic Warfare Company
Personal Company (MR)
Sniper Platoon
NBC (Radiation, Chemical, Biological) Protection Platoon (VRKhBz)
Counter-Technical-Reconnaissance Section
Instructor Group
Psychological Support and Recovery Group
Training Ground

The brigade is equipped with:
Tanks: T-64BV, T-72M1, and other modifications
Armored personnel carriers: BTR-4E "Bucephalus"
Captured equipment: Russian BMP-3
Self-propelled artillery: DANA self-propelled howitzer, 2S1 "Gvozdika" self-propelled howitzer
Towed artillery systems
Multiple rocket launchers: BM-21 "Grad"

In 2018, new symbolism was developed for the brigade. The sleeve patch is based on a British heraldic shield featuring a blue "Alatyr" star on a yellow background, symbolizing development and the pursuit of a better future through victories. It also features three blue waves, symbolizing the Sea of Azov, and crossed stylized Cossack spears.