Active 2008–present Branch Russian Ground Forces Size Brigade | Country Russia Type Motorized Infantry Part of 58th Army | |
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The 18th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is a formation of the Russian Ground Forces. The brigade was formed in late 2008 from the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division. It is stationed in two bases near Grozny. The brigade was involved in the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
History
The brigade was formed in late 2008 from the 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division as part of the Russian military reform and was relocated to Khankala, near Grozny in Chechnya. In 2013, several units of the brigade were relocated to Kalinovskaya. The brigade's military unit number is 27777. It inherited the honorifics "Yevpatoria Red Banner" from the division. The brigade is part of the 58th Army in the Southern Military District. The brigade includes the 1st Mechanized Battalion "Vostok". Sergey Kuzovlev previously commanded the brigade.
A battalion tactical group of the brigade was part of the troops in Crimea for the Russian military intervention in Ukraine during April 2014. The brigade's reconnaissance battalion contributed a reconnaissance team to the Russian military intervention in the War in Donbass from 14 July 2014. The brigade contributed a battalion tactical group from 11 August 2014. In February 2015 it was located in the Northern Operational Area. Between 1 and 2 February, a combined formation of the brigade and other Russian units were involved in combat near Debaltseve. After 13 February, the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade's tactical group was reformed into a combined unit with the brigade.