Ukraine Merges Airborne Assault Units into Corps Structure

28 January, 2024 Soldiers from an air assault brigade line up. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Ukraine has created the 7th Air Assault Corps, which aims to unite all air assault units under a single field command.

This became known during Petro Poroshenko's visit to the 7th Air Assault Corps. The released photo shows that the 7th Corps unites all air assault units, as well as the newly formed 87th Battalion. Under the command of the 7th Air Assault Corps are: Airborne Assault Command, 25th Airborne Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 71st Jaeger Brigade, 77th Airmobile Brigade, 78th Assault Regiment, 79th Air Assault Brigade, 80th Air Assault Brigade, 81st Airmobile Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade, and 148th Artillery Brigade.

Unit emblems on the gratitude board.

Photo credits: Petro Poroshenko

It should be noted that the new corps, unlike the 9th and 10th Operational Corps, does not have full-fledged tank units, but only separate tank companies for support. In addition, the emblem of the 132nd Reconnaissance Battalion disappeared from the plaque of gratitude with the air assault units. It is not yet known whether the creation of the corps will re-profile the air assault units, which are currently used as regular mechanized units.

The creation of the 7th Air Assault Corps was unexpected, as there had been no official announcement of such changes.

Soldiers from an air assault brigade line up. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

As Militarnyi previously reported, the formation of the Marine Corps, which was announced in Ukraine in May 2023, is in its final stages. Recently, an appropriate organizational and staffing structure was approved, which will allow more effective use of subordinate units.

The Corps will include existing separate marine brigades and separate artillery brigades, as well as other combat and support units.

In addition, it is planned to create several more combat brigades and battalions of marines.