61st Separate Infantry Stepova Brigade

In accordance with the mobilization directive of the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated May 12, 2016, No. D-322/1/92, on July 27, 2016, the command staff of the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade was formed.

The unit’s day is July 27. In accordance with the mobilization directive of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated March 5, 2022, No. 32/321/501/13t, the command staff of the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade was reorganized into the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade and assigned to the operational command of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria.”

According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated August 24, 2022, No. 606/2022, the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade was awarded the honorary title “Stepova” and was presented with the Battle Flag. Thereafter, it has been referred to as the “61st Separate Infantry Stepova Brigade.” Based on the directive requirements of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated October 6, 2022, No. D-321/6/dsk, and the directive of the Commander of the Ground Forces dated October 7, 2022, No. D-143dsk, the command of the 61st Separate Infantry Stepova Brigade was reorganized into the command of the 61st Separate Mechanized Stepova Brigade.

On February 28, 2022, by order of the commander of the “South” grouping of troops dated March 23, 2022, No. 44, the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade was transferred from Operational Command “South” to the Reserve Corps of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

From March 2, 2022, to March 19, 2022, by order of the commander of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated March 2, 2022, No. 82t, the 61st Separate Infantry Brigade took up defensive positions along the Southern Bug River in order to prevent the enemy from crossing the river and advancing deeper into the territory of Mykolaiv region. The brigade also carried out the protection and defense of the dam of the Oleksandrivska Hydroelectric Power Plant.

From April 21, 2022, to May 26, 2022, in accordance with the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated April 17, 2022, No. 780t, the brigade conducted defensive operations along the line of height 69.0, the settlement of Kalynivka, Bereznehuvate station, the settlements of Murakhivka, Kavkaza, and Lepetykha.

From May 27, 2022, to May 28, 2022, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated May 20, 2022, No. 1410t, the brigade participated in offensive operations together with the 35th and 36th Separate Marine Brigades in the direction of Murakhivka – Bruskinske in order to establish a bridgehead for an advance toward Kherson.

On July 24, 2022, in accordance with the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated July 13, 2022, No. 2885t, the brigade, together with the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade and the 131st Reconnaissance Battalion, liberated the settlement of Andriivka (Kherson region).

On September 3, 2022, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated September 2, 2022, No. 5554t, the brigade liberated the settlement of Blahodatyvka (Kherson region).

On September 4, 2022, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Prymoria” dated September 3, 2022, No. 5605t, the brigade, together with the 131st Reconnaissance Battalion and the 73rd Special Operations Forces Center, liberated the settlement of Novohredneve (Kherson region).

From October to November 2022, in accordance with the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Mykolaiv” dated September 30, 2022, No. 12t, the brigade participated in expanding the bridgehead and conducting offensive operations aimed at liberating the city of Kherson.

From November 19, 2022, to December 23, 2022, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Kherson” dated November 19, 2022, the brigade conducted defensive operations along the right bank of the Dnipro River. Personnel of the brigade liberated 22 settlements in Kherson region from occupying forces.

From December 25, 2022, to January 23, 2023, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Soledar” dated December 25, 2022, No. 1314/4/9/658t, the 61st Separate Mechanized Brigade conducted defensive operations in the city of Soledar and the settlements of Sil, Chervonopopivka, and Vasiukivka (Donetsk region).

On January 25, 2023, according to the combat order of the commander of the Reserve Corps dated February 8, 2023, No. 68t, the brigade relocated to Cherkasy region in order to restore combat capability.

From July 20, 2023, to February 14, 2024, according to the combat order of the operational grouping of troops “Chernihiv” dated July 8, 2023, No. 1573t/okp, the brigade conducted defense operations in the first echelon of the grouping in order to cover the State border of Ukraine.

From February 20, 2024, to March 1, 2024, according to the combat order of the operational-tactical grouping “Donetsk,” the brigade conducted defense operations in the first echelon in the Avdiivka direction.

On March 3, 2024, according to the combat order of the operational-tactical grouping “Donetsk” dated February 29, 2024, No. 119/1/1091t/OTU (OSUV “Tavria” No. 1515t/okp/bd), the brigade was transferred to the operational subordination of the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the concentration area of Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk.

On April 1, 2024, according to the combat order of the commander of the Reserve Corps of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated March 30, 2024, No. 337/dsk, the brigade relocated to Rivne region to the 233rd Training Center in order to restore combat capability.

From August 6, 2024, to March 1, 2025, according to the combat order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dated August 5, 2024, No. 12825t, the brigade participated in the Kursk operation and conducted offensive actions in the direction of the settlement of Sudzha, Kursk region.

For personal courage and heroism demonstrated in battles for the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and for loyalty to the military oath, 581 servicemen of the brigade have been awarded state honors, including:

• the title Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the “Golden Star” — 1;
• the title Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the “Golden Star” — 1 (posthumously);
• the Presidential award “Cross of Combat Merit” — 1;
• the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 3rd class — 19;
• the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 3rd class (posthumously) — 7;
• the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 2nd class (posthumously) — 1;
• the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, 1st class (posthumously) — 1;
• the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class — 61;
• the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class (posthumously) — 234;
• the Order of Danylo Halytskyi — 7;
• the Order of Danylo Halytskyi (posthumously) — 1;
• the medal “For Military Service to Ukraine” — 65;
• the medal “For Military Service to Ukraine” (posthumously) — 11;
• the medal “Defender of the Fatherland” — 15;
• the Presidential award “For the Defense of Ukraine” — 156.

Additionally, 3,719 servicemen have been awarded departmental honors, including:

• incentive awards of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine — 2,644;
• awards of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — 833;
• awards of the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — 242.