The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Marko Bezruchko (Ukrainian: 110-та окрема механізована бригада імені Марка Безручка) is a brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2022. Since then, it has gained notoriety for its part in the Battle of Avdiivka, where it fought for almost two years before being ordered to retreat in February of 2024.
110th Separate Mechanized Brigade | |
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110-та окрема механізована бригада | |
Active | March 8, 2022 - Today |
Country | Ukraine |
Branch | Ukrainian Ground Forces |
Role | Mechanized Infantry |
Part of | Operational Command North |
Equipment | BMP-1, YPR-765, 152 mm SpGH DANA, RM-70 Vampire |
Engagements | Russo-Ukrainian War |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Mykola Chumak |
History
The unit exclusively uses equipment donated or purchased from the Czech Republic.
The brigade was formed in March 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Soon after its formation, the brigade was deployed in Avdiivka, and defended the city, as well as the AKHZ plant, until it was captured in February of 2024.
As the fighting for Avdiivka intensified in October 2023, the brigade successfully repelled multiple Russian assaults, mostly around the AKHZ plant and the village of Stepove, where the 47th Mechanized Brigade was deployed. According to some sources, the Russian Armed Forces suffered over 40 thousand killed and wounded, and lost 13 vehicles for every vehicle lost by the defenders.
In late 2023, soldiers defending Avdiivka started to suffer from a lack of artillery ammunition. FPV drones were able to partially compensate for the lack of artillery shells, but were limited by their range and vulnerability to bad weather. Many observers blamed the lack of ammunition on members of the US Republican Party, who opposed an aid package worth $61 billion proposed by president Joe Biden.
On February 4, 2024, Russian troops took advantage of cloudy weather conditions and broke through the 110th Brigade's positions, gaining a foothold in the northern part of the city. The brigade suffered significant losses, as Russian servicemen captured positions close to the main road in and out of Avdiivka.
On 13 February 2024, the 110th Mechanized Brigade was rotated out of Avdiivka after having defended the city non-stop since March 2022. The 3rd Assault Brigade was deployed to the city to cover the retreat.
The brigade returned to combat in May 2024, two months after being rotated out of Avdiivka.
Structure
As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:
- 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade,
- Brigade Headquarters & Headquarters Company
- 1st Mechanized Battalion
- 2nd Mechanized Battalion
- 3rd Mechanized Battalion
- 12th Separate Rifle Battalion
- Tank Battalion
- Field Artillery Regiment
- Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery
- 1st Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (152 mm SpGH DANA)
- 2nd Artillery Battalion (122-mm howitzer D-30)
- Rocket Artillery Battalion (RM-70 Vampire)
- Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion
- FPV Drone Company
- Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion
- Reconnaissance Company
- Engineer Battalion
- Transmissions Company
- Radar Company
- Medical Company
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Company
- Maintenance Battalion (BREM-2 ARVs)
- Commandant's Platoon
- Logistics Battalion