The 4th Tank Brigade was established in late 2017 with the purpose of serving as a reserve unit to the 1st and 17th Tank Brigades within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.[2] It was equipped with T-64 and T-72 tanks.[1] The brigade underwent training and preparation for combat, including a final stage of combat readiness at Honcharivske training base, the home of the 1st Tank Brigade, in July 2018.[3]
During the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2019, the 4th Brigade was sent to the Joint Forces Operation Zone to support the 72nd Mechanized and 36th Marines brigades.[2] The brigade was equipped with T-72 and BMP-2 IFVs, and various artillery pieces.[4] In October of that year, the brigade participated in a joint exercise that involved crossing a river, supported by attack helicopters, and attacking suspected enemy positions.[5]
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the 4th Tank Brigade was deployed to help defend the northeastern part of the country.[5] The brigade played a significant role in the Battle of Kharkiv and subsequent Eastern Ukraine offensive.[3] It was initially deployed in the area of Sloviansk-Kramatorsk as a reserve unit and later stationed south of Izium.[5]
On February 24, 2023, which marked the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Poland handed over the first four out of 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to the 4th Tank Brigade.[4]
Structure
As of 2023 the brigade's structure is as follows:[4]
