The 3rd Border Detachment named after the Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevgeny Pikus, also known as Pomsta Brigade, (Ukrainian: помста, lit. 'Revenge') is an assault brigade of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine that is part of the Offensive Guard.[1]
| 3rd Border Detachment named after the Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevgeny Pikus | |
|---|---|
 Sleeve patch of the Brigade | |
| Active | 30 January 2024 – present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  State Border Guard Service of Ukraine |
| Role |  Offensive Guard |
Details
editThe Brigade was formed out of the Luhansk detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, since during the invasion of Ukraine the entire Russian-Luhansk border has been occupied by Russia and it's proxy, the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR).[1] Prior to the brigade's formation, five members of the Luhansk detachment where awarded the Hero of Ukraine, four of them posthumously, due to their role as being the first line of defense during the invasion.[1] The unit saw the first casualty of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Master Sergeant Denys Tkach being killed by a Russian DRG at 03:40 on February 24, 2022 at a border checkpoint in Zorynivka.[2] The unit is named for Yevgeny Pikus, the Luhansk detachment's former colonel, who was killed by LPR saboteurs in 2018.[1] The unit was officially elevated to a brigade, and became the 10th unit in the Offensive Guard via a press release by the State Border Guard Service on 30 January 2024.[1]
In June of 2024, the Brigade has been stationed in Chasiv Yar, as part of the ongoing battle there, where the brigade has constructed field fortifications and participated in other defensive efforts.[3] From their position in Chasiv Yar, the unit has also been able to preform kamikaze drone attacks on Russian forces in Bakhmut, publishing footage of the destruction of a Russian T-90M and several Russian howitzer positions.[4][5] The unit used similar tactics when fighting in the Serebryansky forest, using vampire drones against Russian forces there.[6] On February 1, 2024, the brigade announced that three Russian servicemen had surrendered to the unit, including a conscript from Ryazan, a migrant worker from Grozny, and a unit commander from Pskov.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Romanenko, Valentyna (30 January 2024). "Offensive Guard now has 10th brigade, formed of border guards – video". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "The first victim of the full-scale invasion was border guard Denys Tkach". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "The Pomsta Brigade builds defensive lines near Chasiv Yar". mil.in.ua. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Ukrainian Border Guard Drones Blast Russian Howitzers and Dugouts in Bakhmut Sector". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Border guards of the Pomsta Brigade stopped the Russian offensive in the Bakhmut sector". mil.in.ua. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Pomsta Brigade Used Ukrainian Vampire Drone To Destroy Invaders In Serebryansky Forest". Charter97. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ ROMANENKO, VALENTYNA. "Pomsta Brigade border guards capture three occupiers – photo". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 18 August 2024.