108th Territorial Defense Brigade (Ukraine)

On 2 July 2018 the brigade was formed in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. From January to mid February 2022 brigade formed all headquarters of its subordinate units. From 24 February brigade began filling its ranks to the full wartime state.[1]

A rifle company of the Brigade began training on 27 September 2018. Brigade and battalion commanders with combat experience also took part in exercises.[2]

From 15 to 17 May 2019 a joint exercise with police, national guard, security service, civilian medics, local government officials and fire rescue took place in various areas of the Oblast.[3]

On 3 September 2019 the 101st Defense Battalion held exercise on the training ground of 17th Tank Brigade.[4]

On 30 July 2021 103rd Defense Battalion held a one-day joint training in Pavlohrad.[5]

During February and March 2022 Brigade was used in defense of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. However, in April, some units were transferred to Donetsk Oblast on border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Their first action was defending Velyka Novosilka and Vremivka villages. A unit of the Brigade was used to attack enemy lines in direction of Mariupol, to draw out enemy forces and allow Marines to join Azov Regiment. Colonel Dmytro Herasymenko September was appointed brigade commander in September. On 2 October, the brigade received its battle flag.[6] Until November, Brigade was stationed in Donetsk Oblast. After heavy fighting units were transferred out from front lines for rest and replenishment. During the next month units underwent more training and were sent to Zaporizhzhia Oblast border near city of Orikhiv. During December part of the brigade joined newly formed 3rd Assault Brigade.[1] The 98th Defense Battalion 'Azov-Dnipro' became 1st Mechanized Battalion of the new Assault brigade.[7] After the Azov fighter were transferred, the 98th battalion received a new commander and is continuing service with the 108th Brigade.[8]

101st Defense Battalion had a peace time strength of 44[9]-46[10] soldiers and officers. On 25 February its strength was already 545.[9] On 11 March 2022[11] the battalion which by this point was a large formation, became the 129th Territorial Defense Brigade.[10]