93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade
ORBAT last updated: 03/05/2024
The 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” is probably the most notorious and widely known Ukrainian unit, with vast contributions to the ATO and an impressive combat record in the full-scale invasion.
For the past year and a half it has been the main anchor of the Bakhmut direction, with its command rumored to have been coordinating the defense of the city itself in early 2023. It is presumed that, during this time period, an impressive number of Battalions were attached to the Brigade.
A large reorganization took place after the fall of Bakhmut due to the losses incurred by the 93rd’s subunits and to several new Brigades being created based on former 93rd groups (Companies and Battalions).
Analysis/notes
The three linear Mechanized Battalions have historically been mounted on BMP-2 IFVs. In August 2023, however, information about the Brigade receiving several Swedish-donated CV-9040s was released, along with a training video. A small amount of these vehicles is in use, presumably within the Mechanized Battalions and in tandem with BMP-2s.
Some BMP-1s have also seen limited use by the Brigade, along with rare M113-type vehicles.
Two Motorized Battalions are part of the Brigade. While BTR variants seldom appear in media coming from 93rd, it’s uncertain whether these Battalions are mounted or not. The use of MRAP-type vehicles (such as Roshel Senators, seen in various material) is also a likely option.
Two additional Rifle Battalions have been added to the Brigade at some point in 2022 or 2023. Highly likely, these units purely consist of infantry, without organic combat vehicles. It is necessary to mention, however, that a training video shows them on various armored vehicles, including BTR and BMP variants, and cooperating with tanks. This could hint at inter-Battalion operations being rehearsed and part of Brigade SOPs, meaning the Rifle Battalions can temporarily be mounted on other Battalions’ vehicles depending on the operation’s requirements.
Several mortar types are used by Mortar Batteries in the various Battalions. These include French-produced MO-120-RT (120mm, wheeled) and Yugoslav M75 (120mm) mortars.
The Tank Battalion was based on the Ukrainian standard T-64BV, however late media content posted by the Brigade mostly shows T-80 variants (including BVs, BVMs and at least one rare T-80UE-1). These are often captured Russian vehicles that have been repaired and modified with additional protection.
The famous “Bunny” tank (a T-80BVM), used and destroyed in Bakhmut in 2023, was also one of these captured and restored russian vehicles. Bunny’s crew survived.The Artillery Group retains one standard Battalion with 2S1 Gvozdikas (122mm) while the other Battalion has a number of US-donated M109A6 (155mm).
Some D-44 (85mm) towed guns and 2S5 Giatsint-S (152mm) SPHs are also used by the Brigade, though it’s uncertain in which Battalion.The Rocket Artillery Battalion is equipped with standard BM-21 Grad MLRS.
The Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion mainly uses Stugna-P ATGMs and some donated Javelins. MT-12 Rapira guns have not been seen in use for many months. It is possible they may have been replaced by the D-44s.The Brigade’s BUAR (Headquarters and Target Acquisition Battery) employs Ukrainian-designed A1-CM Furia drones.
Multiple videos and pictures confirm the Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion uses the standard 9K35 Strela-10 system while other sources show FIM-92 Stingers and MTLBs with ZU-23 AAA guns mounted on them.
Stingers and MTLBs might also be used by each Battalion’s Anti-Aircraft Platoon.Signum Battalion is a non-conventional unit in 93rd Mechanized Brigade, mainly executing drone-based reconnaissance, FPV attacks and, possibly rarely, infantry assaults as seen in a few instances.
93rd Mechanized Brigade’s conventional reconnaissance element is provided by the Reconnaissance Company, possibly mounted on BTR variants and BRDM scout cars.
“Black Raven” is the nickname of the Brigade’s main Strike UAV element, recently expanded to Battalion size (Ukrainian acronym thus being “BUBpAK”).
Medical Humvees are used, either in Battalion Medical Stations, or by the Brigade’s Medical Company.
Sources
93rd Mechanized Brigade Facebook, Website (w/ Battalions), Telegram, MilitaryLand
Mechanized Battalions: BMP-2, BMP-2, CV-9040, 2nd MB, 3rd MB
Motorized Battalions: BTR-80, 2nd Motorized Battalion
Rifle Battalions: 2nd Rifle Battalion
Mortars: MO-120-RT, MO-120-RT, M75
Tank Battalion: T-64BV for training, T-80BVM
Artillery Group: M109A6, M109A6, 2S1, D-44
Recon Company: Video
Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion: Strela-10