54th Separate Mechanized Brigade

ORBAT last updated: 13/05/24

Sep 11, 2023

54th Mechanized Brigade “Ivan Mazepa” was formed in 2014 and used to be headquartered in Bakhmut as part of Operational Command East.
It took part in the battle of Bakhmut and is still mostly deployed in the area, more specifically on the city’s northern flank towards Sivers’k, near Bilohorivka.

Analysis/notes

1st Mechanized Battalion mostly lacks information in the public sphere. It is currently deployed in the Sivers’k direction with K-2 and includes UAS unit “Legion” (FPVs, attack/drop drones).
Some old pictures showed BMP-1s with the Battalion before the full-scale invasion but the current equipment is unknown.
2nd Mechanized Battalion, widely known as K-2, is a very notorious Ukrainian unit thanks to its social media presence and YouTube channel often depicting commanding officer “Veres” and his staff.
Available footage shows them mounted on BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, while the presence of a 4th Company (most Ukrainian Battalions have either 3 or 4 line Companies) is confirmed.
This Battalion also controls a UAS group (FPVs, attack, observation), equipped with “Baba Yaga” drones among others.
An Assault Platoon, Storm Group “Psycho”, is part of the Battalion.
Several videos show both tanks and artillery closely working with K-2: it can not be said for certain whether these are attached Brigade assets or organic Battalion support.
Overall, K-2 is substantially larger than most Ukrainian Battalions, with Veres recently mentioning about 1000 servicemen are part of it. If support assets are indeed organically under his command, this would essentially make K-2 a Regiment-equivalent unit.
3rd Mechanized Battalion was formed based on 46th Assault Battalion “Donbass-Ukraine” after it was dissolved in late 2022.
A video shared by K-2 in July 2023 shows 3rd Battalion executing an operation with BMP-1s, various MRAP types and BRDM scout cars.
An Unmanned Systems Platoon has recently been raised within the Battalion and is being formed.
Similarly as in K-2’s case, tanks have also been seen operating under the Battalion’s command, leading to uncertainty on whether they are organic or attached from the Tank Battalion.
3rd Mechanized Battalion is currently detached from the Brigade and operating separately in the Kupyansk direction.
The 25th Separate Motorized Battalion’s structure and equipment are largely unknown in public sources, though recent recruitment posts simply mention a “Motorized Infantry Battalion” meaning it may have lost the “Separate” definition and become a line Battalion in the Brigade.
Unit “Incognito” is mentioned as part of the Battalion. While its social media pages are called “Incognito Battalion”, this may be a stylistic choice considering its own commander defines it a “Reconnaissance Platoon and Group” in this K-2 video. Incognito has been seen with Humvees and light pickups, employs FPV drones and might be converted into an Unmanned Systems Platoon or receive one under its command.
1st Rifle Battalion and 2nd Rifle Battalion were added at some point in 2022 or 2023, as seen in most Brigades that existed before the full-scale invasion. These are purely infantry Battalions, likely created with the goal of allowing more rotations, especially when the parent unit is in a defensive posture that requires less heavy vehicles.
Common Infantry Battalion equipment includes 2B11 Vasilek mortars and AGS-17 and Mk 19 grenade launchers.
The Brigade’s Tank Battalion has mostly been seen operating T-72 variants, including T-72As with added Kontakt-1 ERA, T-72AVs and possibly T-72Bs.
An article also mentions captured T-72B3Ms in use with 54th Mechanized Brigade.
Tanks are often seen closely cooperating with infantry in K-2 videos (T-72A with Kontakt-1 in this case) and the descriptions never seem to highlight the Tank Battalion. As such, it’s possible some of them might be organic to Mechanized Battalions’ Tank Companies rather than attached from the Tank Battalion.
The Artillery Group apparently operates an odd mix of equipment.
No recent footage of 2S1 Gvozdikas was found for the 1st Artillery Battalion, while D-30 (122mm) and, possibly Croatian-donated, M-46 (130mm) towed guns have appeared.
2nd Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion, meanwhile, had its 2S3 Akatsiyas replaced by M109s, specifically Italian-donated M109L (155mm) variants.
The Rocket Artillery Battalion retains its BM-21 Grad MLRS.
The Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion is likely still equipped with MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns, while FGM-148 Javelins have been seen in K-2 videos. It is unclear whether these are in each Mechanized Battalion’s arsenal or in the Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion’s.
The Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion possibly uses 9K33 Osa vehicles rather than the standard Strela-10s, though no visual proof of this could be found.
The Brigade’s Reconnaissance Company’s insignia has “Special Purpose” added to its name, for unknown reasons.
An Unmanned Systems Battalion is currently being formed and equipped, probably based on the previously existing RUBpAK (Company of Unmanned Strike Complexes) with FPV, attack and reconnaissance roles.