The 5th Tank Brigade () is a reserve armored formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
History
Formation
The brigade was formed in 2016, initially equipped with 30 T-72 tanks. From late March to early April, the brigade took part in large scale exercises of Operational Command South, held in Kherson Oblast. The goal of the exercise was to improve elements of overall defense of the region. At the end of the exercise it was announced, that Brigade will be stationed close to border with occupied Crimea.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
When on 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, the unit was deployed to the southwestern part of the country near Odesa. As of May, it was still in the Odesa area. After receiving T-72M1 tanks from Poland and YPR-765 APCs from the Netherlands, the brigade was moved from the front into the Ukrainian strategic reserve.
In February 2022, the brigade was re-created in Kryvyi Rih to reinforce Ukrainian defense. However, due to losses in other armored and mechanized brigades, tanks and manpower were used to replenish already existing units and the brigade ceased to exist again. David Axe writing for Forbes, suggested that Brigade was inactive in August 2022. However, Brigade was mentioned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his 200 day of war speech on 11 September 2022.
In March 2023, the brigade has been reactivated and is currently at the stage of formation. In July 2023, the unit received a new insignia.
Structure
As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows: Brigade HHC 1st Tank Battalion 2nd Tank Battalion 3rd Tank Battalion Mechanized Infantry Battalion Artillery Group Headquarters & Target Acquisition Battery Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S3 Akatsiya) Self-propelled Artillery Battalion (2S1 Gvozdika) Rocket Artillery Battalion (BM-21 Grad) Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion Reconnaissance Company Engineer Battalion Logistic Battalion Maintenance Battalion Signal Company Radar Company Medical Company Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Protection Company (CBRN defense)