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128th Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)
Encyclopedia
The 128th Guards Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
.
Full name of the Brigade is 128th Separate Guards Mechanized Turkestan-Zakarpattia twice Order of Red Banner Brigade, .
as the 1st Turkmenistan Rifle Division on July 12, 1922 in the city of Poltoratsk (now Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
). (Other sources give the original name as the 1st Turkmenistan Mountain Division). It was a Turkmen national formation. Sergiy Tumoshkov became the Division's first commander. The Division was renamed 83rd Mountain Rifle Division on July 1, 1935. On June 22, 1941, the 83rd Mountain Rifle Division was part of 58th Rifle Corps, Central Asia Military District. Between 1 September and 1 October 1941 the division was assigned to the 53rd Army, still located within the Central Asia Military District. By January 1942 the division, still with 58th Rifle Corps, had been dispatched to Iran
as part of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
.
From January 1, 1943 the Division fought near the area of Krasnodar
where it was assigned to the 56th Army. After successfully liberating the region of Kuban
and the Taman Peninsula
, the Division was awarded the Guards
designation on October 8, 1943. The Division was renamed again as the 128th Guards Turkmenistan Mountain Rifle Division.
On April 24, 1944 for participation in battles for Crimea
the Division was awarded its first Order of the Red Banner
. During the month of august, the Division participated in battles for Carpathian Mountains
. The Division liberated Zakarpattya
and on October 12, 1944 crossed the border with Czechoslovakia
. Units of the Division liberated Ostrava
, Olomouc
and other cities.
On May 8, 1985 the Division was awarded its second Order of the Red Banner
in honor of the 40th anniversary of Victory Day
.
On May 27, 2000 the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, General of the Army
Oleksandr Kuzmuk presented the Division with its Battle Banner, and read the Order of the President of Ukraine awarding the Division the honorable name "Zakarpattia".
In 2002 the Division was under 38th Army Corps. After 38th Army Corps was disbanded, the Division became part of 13th Corps.
On June 18, 2004 the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Division was reorganized into a Brigade by the order of Minister of Defense.
The Brigade has a training ground near the city of Vynohradiv
.
The 327th Mechanized Regiment was reorganized to form the 15th Mountain Infantry Battalion, which became the only Mountain Infantry formation in the current Ukrainian Ground Forces
.
Ukrainian Ground Forces
The Ukrainian Ground Forces are the land force component of the Military of Ukraine. They were formed from Soviet Army formations, units, and establishments, including three military districts , that were on Ukrainian soil when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990-92.Between the fall of the USSR and...
.
Full name of the Brigade is 128th Separate Guards Mechanized Turkestan-Zakarpattia twice Order of Red Banner Brigade, .
History
The 128th Mechanized Division was first formed within the then USSR's Red ArmyRed Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
as the 1st Turkmenistan Rifle Division on July 12, 1922 in the city of Poltoratsk (now Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states...
). (Other sources give the original name as the 1st Turkmenistan Mountain Division). It was a Turkmen national formation. Sergiy Tumoshkov became the Division's first commander. The Division was renamed 83rd Mountain Rifle Division on July 1, 1935. On June 22, 1941, the 83rd Mountain Rifle Division was part of 58th Rifle Corps, Central Asia Military District. Between 1 September and 1 October 1941 the division was assigned to the 53rd Army, still located within the Central Asia Military District. By January 1942 the division, still with 58th Rifle Corps, had been dispatched to Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
as part of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran
The Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran was the Allied invasion of the Imperial State of Iran during World War II, by British, Commonwealth, and Soviet armed forces. The invasion from August 25 to September 17, 1941, was codenamed Operation Countenance...
.
From January 1, 1943 the Division fought near the area of Krasnodar
Krasnodar
Krasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
where it was assigned to the 56th Army. After successfully liberating the region of Kuban
Kuban
Kuban is a geographic region of Southern Russia surrounding the Kuban River, on the Black Sea between the Don Steppe, Volga Delta and the Caucasus...
and the Taman Peninsula
Taman peninsula
The Taman Peninsula is a peninsula in the present-day Krasnodar Krai of Russia. It is bounded on the north by the Sea of Azov, on the west by the Strait of Kerch and on the south by the Black Sea. The peninsula has evolved over the past two millennia from a chain of islands into the peninsula it is...
, the Division was awarded the Guards
Guards unit
Guards units are elite units and formations in the armed forces of the former Soviet Union, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. These units were awarded Guards status after distinguishing themselves in service, and are considered to have elite status. The Guards designation originated during the...
designation on October 8, 1943. The Division was renamed again as the 128th Guards Turkmenistan Mountain Rifle Division.
On April 24, 1944 for participation in battles for Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
the Division was awarded its first Order of the Red Banner
Order of the Red Banner
The Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
. During the month of august, the Division participated in battles for Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
. The Division liberated Zakarpattya
Zakarpattia Oblast
The Zakarpattia Oblast is an administrative oblast located in southwestern Ukraine. Its administrative center is the city of Uzhhorod...
and on October 12, 1944 crossed the border with Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Units of the Division liberated Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
and other cities.
On May 8, 1985 the Division was awarded its second Order of the Red Banner
Order of the Red Banner
The Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
in honor of the 40th anniversary of Victory Day
Victory Day (Eastern Europe)
Victory Day or 9 May marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War...
.
On May 27, 2000 the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, General of the Army
General of the Army
General of the Army is a military rank used in some countries to denote a senior military leader, usually a General in command of a nation's Army. It may also be the title given to a General who commands an Army in the field....
Oleksandr Kuzmuk presented the Division with its Battle Banner, and read the Order of the President of Ukraine awarding the Division the honorable name "Zakarpattia".
In 2002 the Division was under 38th Army Corps. After 38th Army Corps was disbanded, the Division became part of 13th Corps.
On June 18, 2004 the 128th Guards Motor Rifle Division was reorganized into a Brigade by the order of Minister of Defense.
The Brigade has a training ground near the city of Vynohradiv
Vynohradiv
Vynohradiv , , Yiddish: סעליש ) is a city in western Ukraine, Zakarpattia Oblast. It has 27,600 inhabitants . It is center of Vynohradiv Raion.-Location:The city lies near the river Tisza and the border with Romania...
.
Structure
- 21st Mechanized Battalion - MUKACEVO
- 36th Mechanized Battalion - MUKACEVO
- 15th Mountain Mechanized Battalion - UZHOROD
- 16th Tank Battalion - UZHOROD
- 17st Artillery Battery -VINOGRADOV
- 10st Anti-air rocket Batery - MUKACEVO
- 150st Signal Battalion - MUKACEVO
- 891st Logistic Support Battalion - MUKACEVO
- 65st Recon Company - MUKACEVO
- 28st Company EW - MUKACEVO
Division Order of Battle
- 315th Mechanized Regiment
- 487th Mechanized Regiment
- 398th Armor Regiment Uzhorod
- 15th Mountain Infantry Battalion
47th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion
10th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion- 331st Artillery Regiment
- 757th Anti-Tank Battalion
The 327th Mechanized Regiment was reorganized to form the 15th Mountain Infantry Battalion, which became the only Mountain Infantry formation in the current Ukrainian Ground Forces
Ukrainian Ground Forces
The Ukrainian Ground Forces are the land force component of the Military of Ukraine. They were formed from Soviet Army formations, units, and establishments, including three military districts , that were on Ukrainian soil when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990-92.Between the fall of the USSR and...
.
Former Commanders
- Sergiy Tumoshkov - July 12, 1922 -
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Viacheslav Hryhorovych Zabolotnyi - 1992 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Genadiy Vorobyov - 2001 - Vasyl Kok - 2004
- ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Sergiy Viktorovich Goroshnikov - 2005 -
Awards
- October 8, 1943 received the honorable designation "GuardsGuards unitGuards units are elite units and formations in the armed forces of the former Soviet Union, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. These units were awarded Guards status after distinguishing themselves in service, and are considered to have elite status. The Guards designation originated during the...
" for liberating the region of KubanKubanKuban is a geographic region of Southern Russia surrounding the Kuban River, on the Black Sea between the Don Steppe, Volga Delta and the Caucasus...
and the Taman PeninsulaTaman peninsulaThe Taman Peninsula is a peninsula in the present-day Krasnodar Krai of Russia. It is bounded on the north by the Sea of Azov, on the west by the Strait of Kerch and on the south by the Black Sea. The peninsula has evolved over the past two millennia from a chain of islands into the peninsula it is...
. - April 24, 1944 received the Order of the Red BannerOrder of the Red BannerThe Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
for participating in Liberation of CrimeaCrimeaCrimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
. - May 8, 1985 received the Order of the Red BannerOrder of the Red BannerThe Soviet government of Russia established the Order of the Red Banner , a military decoration, on September 16, 1918 during the Russian Civil War...
in honor of the 40th anniversary of Victory DayVictory Day (Eastern Europe)Victory Day or 9 May marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War...
. - On January, 10th 2000 was given its Battle Banner and the honorable name "Zakarpattia"
- 14 soldiers were awarded with ordersOrder (decoration)An order or order of merit is a visible honour, awarded by a government, dynastic house or international organization to an individual, usually in recognition of distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. The distinction between orders and decorations is somewhat vague, except that most...
Hero of the Soviet UnionHero of the Soviet UnionThe title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:... - 19 soldiers and sergeants were awarded Order of GloryOrder of GloryEstablished on 8 November 1943, the Order of Glory was an Order of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to non-commissioned officers and rank-and-file of the armed forces, as well as junior lieutenants of the air force, for bravery in the face of the enemy.The Order of Glory, which was modelled...