15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade

15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade 15th Rocket Artillery Regiment (2003-2022) 337th Rocket Artillery Brigade (1989-2003) 15-та окрема бригада артилерійської розвідки «Чорний ліс» 15th Artillery Recon Brigade.png 150 6 August 1942 Soviet Union (1942–1991) (since 1992) Ukraine UKR 25px Rocket and Artillery Forces Artillery and Reconnaissance Brigade 25px Operational Command West Drogobych, Lviv Oblast Black Forest 180px Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbass Russian invasion of Ukraine Website 200pxFor Courage and Bravery "Lightning Fast and Accurate" Colonel Alexander Popov Standard 70px 70px Former Insignia The 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade "Black Forest" (A1108) is an artillery and reconnaissance Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces directly subordinated to the Ground Forces command but is currently operationally subordinated to the Operational Command West. It operates a variety of artillery and drone systems including western, indigenous and Soviet era weapons. History On 24 August 1991, the 337th Rocket Artillery Brigade of the Red Army was subordinated to Ukraine following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and took the oath of allegiance to Ukraine on 12 December 1991. In 1998, the first rocket artillery division "Smerch" of the 337th rocket artillery brigade carried out combat launches at the Chauda military training ground. On 20 August 2003, it became 15th Rocket Artillery Regiment and was recognized as the best unit of the Operational Command West. In 2008, the 1st Rocket Artillery Division of the 15th Rocket Artillery Regiment performed live fire training at the Chauda military training ground. On 4 May 2006, the regiment was awarded a Battle Banner. On 21 August 2008, it received the honorary title of "Drohobych".http://xn--13-8kc6atx1i.com.ua/istoriya-13-armi%D1%97/rodi-ta-sluzhbi/viddil-raketnix-vijsk-i-artileri%D1%97/15-reaktivnij-artilerijskij-drogobickij-ki%D1%97vskij-ordeniv-lenina-chervonogo-prapora-bogdana-xmelnickogo-oleksandra-nevskogo-polk/ 15 реактивний артилерійський, Дрогобицький, Київський, орденів Леніна, Червоного прапора, Богдана Хмельницького, Олександра Невського полк 12 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20171022094822/http://xn--13-8kc6atx1i.com.ua/istoriya-13-armi%D1%97/rodi-ta-sluzhbi/viddil-raketnix-vijsk-i-artileri%D1%97/15-reaktivnij-artilerijskij-drogobickij-ki%D1%97vskij-ordeniv-lenina-chervonogo-prapora-bogdana-xmelnickogo-oleksandra-nevskogo-polk/ 22 October 2017 live In June 2012, the regiment's personnel took part in the 20th review-competition for the best organization of physical training and sports in the Armed Forces of Ukraine performing in over a hundred categories and took the first spot. Russo-Ukrainian war Russo-Ukrainian war Since April 2014, the 15th Guards Rocket Artillery Regiment has been involved in the War in Donbass.http://ukr-online.com/society/9318-ukrayinsk-vyskov-vdyachn-usm-za-pdtrimku-ta-prosyat-vriti-u-nashu-peremogu.html Українські військові вдячні усім за підтримку та просять вірити у нашу перемогу 23 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093410/http://ukr-online.com/society/9318-ukrayinsk-vyskov-vdyachn-usm-za-pdtrimku-ta-prosyat-vriti-u-nashu-peremogu.html 6 October 2014 On 26 August 2014, a soldier of the regiment, Komar Yuri Igorovich was killed as a result of a firearms attack on a travelling convoy near Heorhiivka, Luhansk Oblast.Комар Юрій Ігорович https://web.archive.org/web/20210420052503/http://memorybook.org.ua/14/komar.htm 20 April 2021 On 18 November 2015, all Soviet awards and references were stripped from the regiment's title.http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568 Указ Президента 21 November 2015 31 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160831090416/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568 Two units of the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar were transferred to the regiment on 17 August 2018.https://www.ukrmilitary.com/2018/08/an-tpq-36.html США передали ЗСУ дві контрбатарейні РЛС AN/TPQ-36 Ukrainian Military Pages 2018-08-17 20 August 2018 20 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180820172816/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/2018/08/an-tpq-36.html thumb|left|200px|Video showing the destruction the two S-400 on 14 December 2025 Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it saw direct combat against Russian forces. On 7 July 2022, a soldier of the brigade, Bordun Ivan was killed by Russian artillery shelling shelling near Siversk during the Battle of Bakhmut.У бою біля Сіверська загинув захисник України зі Львівщини Іван Бордун. 11.07.2022, 16:50 In September 2022, it was participating in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive.Відповімо терористам на кожну їхню підлість, на кожну ракету — ми це можемо — звернення Президента України. The recon elements of the Brigade have been observed using Shark drones to guide British Storm Shadow missiles into targets and was able to destroy a Russian platoon command post.https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-soldiers-russia-spy-drones-storm-shadow-strikes-zrz0lgc9m Ukrainian Black Forest Brigade uses drones to a lethal test The Times 30 March 2025 On 4 December 2024 the unit was awarded the honorary award For Courage and Bravery by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/8042024-52953 УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №804/2024 President of Ukraine 4 December 2024 11 April 2026 uk On November 16, 2024, the unit attacked a concentration of Russian troops, approximately 30–40 men, near Tavria. The strike was carried out using M142 HIMARS missiles, and the troop concentration had been previously reconnoitered by a drone from the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. More than 20 Russian soldiers were reported killed. Shortly afterward, as additional troops arrived to evacuate the wounded, the brigade conducted a double tap strike using cluster munitions to maximize casualties.https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/himars-vdaryv-po-skupchennyu-rosijskyh-vijskovyh-na-zaporizhzhi/ HIMARS вдарив по скупченню російських військових на Запоріжжі Militarnyi 2024-11-17 uk 2024-11-17 On July 21, 2026, the unit conducted an operation targeting the Khalino airfield in Kursk Oblast, striking a Russian MiG-29 fighter jet and a Pantsir missile system. Ukrainian forces strike MiG-29 fighter jet and Pantsir-S1 system at airfield in Russia's Kursk Oblast – video https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/07/21/8045146/ 2026-07-22 Ukrainska Pravda en List of destroyed Systems TypeRoleNoteDateS-300S-350S-4009K37 BukSAMAround 30 Systems destroyedhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/09/23/7476331/ Black Forest brigade's aerial reconnaissance unit destroys entire Russian air defence regiment – videos Ukrainska Pravda 2024-09-23 2026-04-082022–2023Leer-2EWDestroyed, most likely by HIMARShttps://www.armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/conflicts-in-the-world/russia-ukraine-war-2022/russia-secret-200m-predel-e-RADAR-system-destroyed-by-ukrainian-strikes-near-crimea Russian secret USD200Mn Predel-E coastal RADAR destroyed by Ukrainian strike near Crimea 2023-09-07 2026-04-0928 August 2023Predel-ERADAR9K330 TorSAMDestroyedhttps://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-forces-take-down-russian-tor-system-in-daring-drone-operation-video-50385786.html Ukrainian forces take down Russian Tor system in daring drone operation — video The new voice of Ukraine 2024-01-20 2024-09-2320 January 2024BM-21MLRSMultiple BM-21 Destroyed in Luhansk Oblasthttps://mil.in.ua/uk/news/brygada-chornyj-lis-urazyla-znachnu-kilkist-gradiv-rosiyan/ Бригада "Чорний ліс" уразила значну кількість "Градів" росіян Militarnyi 2024-01-24 uk 2024-09-23January 2024Podlet-1KRADARSpotted in cooperation with Kabul 9 and destroyed by WB-Electronics-Warmatehttps://mil.in.ua/uk/news/drony-kamikadze-urazyli-elementy-rosijskoyi-rls-48ya6-k1-podlet/ Дрони-камікадзе уразили елементи російської РЛС 48Я6-К1 «Подлет» Militarnyi 2024-04-27 uk 2024-06-1227 April 2024Supercam S350UAVDestroyed with crewhttps://mil.in.ua/uk/news/bilya-varvarivky-zsu-likviduvaly-operatoriv-drona-supercam/ Біля Варварівки ЗСУ уразили операторів дрона Supercam Militarnyi 2024-07-04 uk 2026-04-084 July 20241K148 Yastreb-AWRADARDestroyed by HIMARShttps://censor.net/en/videonews/3515723/syly_oborony_znyschyly_rosiyiskyyi_kompleks_artyleriyiskoyi_rozvidky Ukrainian Defense Forces Destroy Russian Yastrub-AV Artillery Reconnaissance System with HIMARS MLRS. VIDEO Censor.NET 2024-10-19 2024-06-128 September 2024Zoopark-1MRADARDestroyed by HIMARS or M270.https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-armed-forces-rocket-artillery-hits-zoopark-m1-RADAR/ Ukrainian Armed Forces rocket artillery hits Zoopark-M1 RADAR Militarnyi 2024-12-12 2026-04-0812 December 2024Pansir S-1SAMDestroyed by HIMARShttps://mil.in.ua/uk/news/himars-znyshhyv-rosijskyj-pantsyr-u-donetsku/ HIMARS знищив російський “Панцирь” у Донецьку Militarnyi 2025-01-03 uk 2025-01-03CiCEtWqyIGw З Новим Роком від Чорного Лісу!31 December 202496L6ERADAR96L6E RADAR of a S-300-Battery destroyedhttps://www.koha.net/en/bote/brigada-ukrainase-pylli-i-zi-shkaterroi-RADARin-rus-derisa-po-levizte-ne-fushebeteje Ukrainian "Black Forest" Brigade Destroys Russian RADAR While Moving on the Battlefield Koha 2025-01-27 2026-04-0827 January 2025S-350SAMDestroyedhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/17/7498696/ Ukrainian soldiers destroy Russia's latest anti-aircraft missile worth US$135 million – video Ukrainska Pravda 2025-02-17 2026-04-1016 February 20259S36RADAR9S36 RADAR for Buk destroyedhttps://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/how-ukraine-defends-against-russias-invisible-onslaught-of-electronic-warfare-6868 How Ukraine Defends Against Russia’s Invisible Onslaught of Electronic Warfare United24 2025-03-20 2026-04-1012 March 2025Buk-M1SAMDestroyedhttps://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-forces-destroy-10-million-russian-buk-m1-missile-system-in-the-east-video-6966 Ukrainian Forces Destroy $10 Million Russian Buk-M1 Missile System in the East, Video United24 2025-03-21 2026-04-1021 March 2025R-330Zh ZhitelEWDamaged or destroyedWGtkMugCiBg Виявлення та знищення системи РЕБ «Житель»24 March 20259A316RearmSAM9A316 rearming vehicle for Buk-2M destroyed by dronehttps://militarnyi.com/en/news/defense-forces-drone-strikes-russian-buk-system/ Defense Forces Drone Strikes Russian Buk System Militarnyi 2025-04-06 2026-04-106 April 2025BM-27 UraganMLRSDestroyed with GMLRS via HIMARShttps://militarnyi.com/en/news/himars-vs-uragan-us-precision-guided-missiles-outmatch-russian-launchers/ HIMARS vs. Uragan: US precision-guided missiles outmatch Russian launchers Militarnyi 2025-04-17 2026-04-1016 April 2025Buk-M29A316SAMRearmA launcher and a rearming vehicle destroyedhttps://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_forces_destroy_russian_buk_m2_air_defense_system_with_accurate_targeting_and_swift_execution_video-14264.html Ukrainian Forces Destroy russian Buk-M2 Air Defense System with Accurate Targeting and Swift Execution (Video) Defense Express 2025-04-22 2026-04-1021 April 2025Buk-M3SAMDestroyedhttps://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-recon-unmasks-and-destroys-russias-45m-buk-m3-air-defense-system-video-8063 Ukrainian Recon Unmasks and Destroys Russia’s $45M Buk-M3 Air Defense System, Video United24 2025-05-02 2026-04-101 May 2025Buk-M1SAMDestroyede-boIlE1kw Мінус ЗРК «Бук-М1» ворога. Працює «Чорний ліс»7 May 2025Buk-M1SAMDestroyedtLxk5TMCMyg Виявлення та знищення ворожого ЗРК «Бук-М1»16 May 2025Buk-M3SAMDestroyedhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/24/7513899/ Ukrainian reconnaissance troops post video of latest Russian Buk-M3 air defence system being destroyed Ukrainska Pravda 2025-05-24 2026-04-1024 May 2025Tor-M2SAMDestroyed by rocket double strikehttps://unn.ua/en/news/another-expensive-anti-aircraft-missile-system-tor-m2-of-the-occupiers-was-destroyed Another expensive anti-aircraft missile system "Tor-M2" of the occupiers has been destroyed UNN 2025-06-02 2026-04-1095Qq3mLgbag Виявлення і знищення ворожого ЗРК «Тор-М2». Працює «Чорний ліс»31 May 2025Zoopark-1MRADARDamaged or destroyedtNqFPMew_o4 Знищення РЛС «Зоопарк-1М». Працює «Чорний ліс»4 June 20252S7 PionSPHDestroyedgBDA5HqrrUs Виявлення та знищення російської САУ 2С7 «Піон»12 June 2025Buk-M1SAMDestroyed by the 413th Regiment of Unmanned Systems, assisted by the 15th brigadehttps://militarnyi.com/en/news/raid-battalion-strikes-buk-m1-missile-system/ Raid Battalion Strikes Buk-M1 Missile System Militarnyi 2025-07-09 2026-04-108 July 2025Buk-M3SAMDamaged or destroyed by dronehttps://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4014591-ukrainian-recon-troops-destroy-russian-bukm3-air-defense-system.html Ukrainian recon troops destroy Russian Buk-M3 air defense system Ukrinform 2025-07-13 2026-04-1013 July 2025D-30HowitzerDestroyedYVgZPLwWB5k Виявлення та знищення гармати ворога та її розрахунку. Працює Чорний ліс22 August 2025Buk-M2SAMDestroyedhttps://censor.net/en/videonews/3572514/destruction-of-russian-buk-m2-air-defence-system-in-the-east Soldiers of 15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade destroyed enemy’s Buk-M2 air defence missile system. VIDEO Censor.NET 2025-09-05 2026-04-105 September 2025Buk-M2SAMDestroyede1GuhCjiWYU Мінус пускова установка «ЗРК Бук-М2» ворога з детонацією БК17 September 2025Buk-M3SAMDestroyedhttps://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-zerstoert-buk-luftabwehrsystem-der-russen-im-wert-von-45-millionen_54bd62f8-587e-4081-b15a-cf4537a179f5.html Ukraine Destroyed russisches Buk-Luftabwehrsystem im Wert von 45 Millionen Dollar Focus Online 2025-10-27 2026-04-10n1069iFQe1M Мінус пускова установка новітнього російського ЗРК «Бук-М3»25 Oktober 2025Buk-M3SAMDestroyed by dronehttps://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2025/11/04/ukraines-kamikaze-drone-strike-destroyed-russias-buk-m3-missile/ Ukraines kamikaze drone strike-destroyed russias buk-m3 missile 2025-11-04 2026-04-104 November 2025T-90TankDamaged or destroyed by drone_WJooxQTG-c Мінус російські гармата та танк14 November 2025D-30HowitzerS-400SAM2 Launchers of a S-400 System destroyed, most likely part of the 568th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regimenthttps://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-drones-destroyed-two-s-400-launchers-in-belgorod-region/ Ukrainian Drones Destroyed Two S-400 Launchers in Belgorod Region Militarnyi 2025-12-18 2026-04-1014 December 2025Buk-M2SAMDestroyed by dronefHVySvCnzk8 Мінус ще один російський ЗРК "Бук-М2". Працює "Чорний ліс"17. December 2025Torf-SRADARDestroyedhttps://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-punches-a-hole-in-russias-battlefield-command-system-knocking-out-rare-russian-torf-s-station-15051 Ukraine Punches a Hole in Russia’s Battlefield Command System, Knocking Out Rare Russian Torf-S Station United24 2026-01-15 2026-04-1014 January 2026D-30HowitzerGun and crew destroyed by cluster munitionCuPN1QELxDc Мінус гармата ворога з її розрахунком. Працює "Чорний ліс"6 February 2026Pantsir-S1SAMDestroyed by dronehttps://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/ukrainian-forces-destroy-pantsir-s1-in-belgorod-region/ Ukrainian Forces Destroy Pantsir S1 in Belgorod Region Mezha 2026-02-28 2026-04-1028 February 2026OsaSAMDamaged or destroyed by dronehttps://x.com/DefenceU/status/2034706180157649223 Another strike hits enemy air defenses: “Osa” SAM destroyed. This system is widely used by Russian forces near the frontlines. Defense of Ukraine auf X 2026-03-19 2026-04-1019 March 2026Buk-M2SAMDamaged or destroyed by drone4L6sOW2NTos Мінус пускова установка російського ЗРК «Бук-М2»29 March 2026Zoopark-1MRADARDestroyed by dronehttps://militarnyi.com/en/news/unknown-kamikaze-drone-hits-zoopark-1m/ Unknown Kamikaze Drone Hits Russian Zoopark-1M RADAR Militarnyi 2026-04-05 2026-04-105 April 2026S-300VSAMLauncher und command system of a S-300V destroyed by Lasar's Group assisted by air reconnaissance by the 15th brigadehttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/04/10/8029565/ Ukrainian forces destroy Russian S-300 missile system and drone command post – video Ukrainska Pravda 2026-04-10 2026-04-1010 April 2026 Equipment ModelImageOriginTypeNumberDetails Artillery BM-30 Smerch 160px Soviet Union Heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher 5+ http://www.na.mil.gov.ua/number/5138/3916.htm Дрогобицькі артилеристи готові до реформ 23 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208154953/http://www.na.mil.gov.ua/number/5138/3916.htm 8 December 2014 M142 HIMARS160pxUnited States Light multiple rocket launcher M270 MLRS160pxUnited StatesArmored self-propelled multiple launch rocket system Armored vehiclesBRDM-2160pxSoviet UnionAmphibious armoured reconnaissance vehicle RADARsAN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar160pxUnited StatesCounter battery mobile radar 2 Unmanned Aerial VehicleAeroVironment RQ-20 Puma160pxUnited StatesSurveillance and intelligence electro-optical UAV DJI Mavic160pxChinaFPV dronehttps://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2024/09/23/7476288/ Очі богів. Як артрозвідка ЗСУ зробила стрибок до знищення “аналаговнету” та “С-400” Ukrainska Pravda 2024-11-23 uk 2024-09-23DeViRo Leleka-100("Stork")160pxUkraineAir reconnaissance/loitering munitionAthlon Avia A1-CM Furia160pxUkraineAir reconnaissanceASU-1 Valkyrie160pxUkraineAir reconnaissanceUkrspecsystems Shark160pxUkraineAir reconnaissanceUkrspecsystems Mini SharkUkraineAir reconnaissanceTekever AR3PortugalAutonomous VTOL ISTAR craft https://x.com/TEKEVER/status/1868985881799147621 Commanders Colonel Hryhoriy Demyanchyk (2012–2020)Командир військової частини у Дрогобичі використовував солдатів на будівництві свого будинку https://zaxid.net/komandir_viyskovoyi_chastini_u_drogobichi_vikoristovuvav_soldat_na_budivnitstvi_svogo_budinku_n1411652 ZAXID.NET 2019-03-01 uk Zaxid.net 2 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190302030558/https://zaxid.net/komandir_viyskovoyi_chastini_u_drogobichi_vikoristovuvav_soldat_na_budivnitstvi_svogo_budinku_n1411652 Colonel Oleksandr Popov (2022-)https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2024/08/29/7472394/ Комбриг 15 бригади артрозвідки: Ми нищимо комплекси, де кожна плата, як злиток платини намазаний чорною ікрою Українська правда uk 2024-08-30 Popular culture Until 2022, before becoming a brigade, the old sleeve insignia of the 15th Rocket Artillery Regiment depicted a shield with a dragon's head, surmounted by a small State Emblem of Ukraine, against a background of crossed cannon barrels. The dragon's head represents the power of missiles.http://vijsko.milua.org/Chmyr_artillery.htm Символи «бога війни» 23 November 2014 7 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141207113709/http://vijsko.milua.org/Chmyr_artillery.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20141207113709/http://vijsko.milua.org/Chmyr_artillery.htm 2014-12-07 In July 2022, singer Viktor Vynnyk wrote the brigade's march, and presented it in his performance on 11 September.Віктор Винник — Марш 15-ї окремої бригади артилерійської розвідки ЗСУ See also 107th Rocket Artillery Brigade 14th Radio Technical Brigade Weblinks Facebook YouTube Instagram X References Sources Структура Сухопутних військ ЗС Україниhttps://web.archive.org/web/20250306100956/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/ukrainian-ground-forces.html 6 March 2025 Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations established in 1992 Category:Ministry of Defence (Ukraine) Category:Artillery brigades of Ukraine Category:Artillery units and formations of the Soviet Union Category:Missile brigades Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the war in Donbas