46th Airmobile Brigade (Ukraine)

The United Kingdom offered the Ukrainian government training on British soil for Ukrainian recruits, and the 46th Air Assault Brigade was one of the selected brigades.[3] Fresh Western supplies, like as Wolfhound MRAPs and Husky TSV tactical vehicles, were also delivered to the brigade.[3] The Brigade was converted from a heavy assault brigade to a light assault brigade.[4] The 46th Airmobile Brigade took part in the Kherson operation after arriving from the United Kingdom.[4] The Brigade no longer uses equipment built in the Soviet Union or Ukraine, such as BTR-3s, BMP-1s, or T-80s.[5]

The Brigade from Poltava was dubbed the 46th Airmobile Brigade.[5] The unit also got a new emblem.[1]

The unit has been an integral part of the defense in Bakhmut and in Soledar, both of which have been the site of some of the most intense fighting in the war.[6][7]

As of 2022 the brigade's structure is as follows:

• 46th Air Assault Brigade, Poltava
  • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
  • 1st Battalion
  • 2nd Battalion
  • 3rd Battalion
  • Tank Company (equipped with T-80BV)[1]
  • Artillery Group (equipped with 2S1 and BM-21 Grad)[1]
  • Reconnaissance Company
  • Anti-Aircraft Company (equipped with Shilka)[1]
  • Support units (including engineers, communication, medics, and material support)[1]

On March 13, 2023, the Washington Post published a news report after interviewing the then Commander of the 46th Airmobile Brigade Anatolii "Kupol" Kozel stating that Ukraine was short of skilled troops, munitions and was sustaining high losses as pessimism grew. In his interview, Anatolii "Kupol" Kozel admitted to getting 100 new soldiers every week who were poorly trained and that most of these soldiers would flee or refuse to fire their weapons as they were afraid of the sound of the shots.[8][9]

Anatolii "Kupol" Kozel was demoted to deputy commander after his interview and in response resigned from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the aftermath, a video of soldiers from the 46th Airmobile Brigade surfaced on various telegram channels protesting the demotion of Anatolii "Kupol" Kozel.