Active 2009–present Branch Russian Ground Forces Size Brigade | Country Russia Type Motorized Infantry | |
 | ||
Garrison/HQ Totskoye, Orenburg Oblast
MUN 12128 | ||
The 21st Guards Motor Rifle Brigade is a formation of the Russian Ground Forces. It was formed on 1 June 2009 from the 27th Guards Motor Rifle Division as a result of the 2008 Russian military reform.
In 2014, the brigade was involved in the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
History
In August 2014 the brigade's units fought in the Battle of Ilovaisk. On 29 August, during a Ukrainian breakthrough attempt from Ilovaisk, a "northern" column of Ukrainian forces took the fight with 21st brigade's troops on a road between Voznesenka and Horbatenko villages. Ukrainian T-64 tank and several BMP-2s of 51st Mechanized Brigade were able to destroy two T-72BA tanks and a BMP-2 of the 21st Motor Rifle Brigade. Another 21st brigade's T-72BA tank was destroyed near Kumachove village, presumably by a Tochka-U rocket strike of the 19th Rocket Brigade.
A Ukrainian Headquarters briefing held on 11 March 2015 noted the 21st Motor Rifle Brigade units are operating near Yenakiiyeve, Ukraine.