The 157th Separate Infantry Brigade (Ukrainian: 157 окрема піхотна бригада, romanized: 157 okrema pіhotna bryhada), is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces formed in 2024.[1] It was part of the creation and expansion of nine other brigades in the Ukrainian Ground Forces, announced by its commander Oleksandr Pavliuk, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[2]
History
Formation
The brigade was formed after a Ukrainian mobilization law came into force, seeing the draft age being lowered from 27 to 25 and placing penalties for those avoiding conscription.[3][2] This law also saw prisoners being able to join the armed forces.[3]
It was reported by Forbes that these 10 new brigades would consist of 2,000 people and that some of these new brigades would be infantry - not mechanized brigades.[2] It was stated by Pavluvik, the commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, that these new brigades could be stationed around Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, for a potential Russian offensive.
According to social media publications, the brigade is acknowledged to have 5 battalions inside its structure.[4]
Russo-Ukrainian War
Russian invasion of Ukraine
The 159th Infantry Brigade, much like other brigades including the 155th Infantry Brigade, is expected to play a significant role since its formation, most probably expected to repel a potential Russian offensive in 2024.
Structure
As of July 2024, the brigade's structure is as follows: