13th Khartiia Brigade

Ukrainian special police unit Khartiia Brigade 13th khartia.png 150 Sleeve patch of the Brigade March 19, 2022 – present Ukraine Ensign of the National Guard of Ukraine.svg National Guard of Ukraine Brigade 20px Offensive Guard 25px 2nd Khartia Corps Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast Russian invasion of Ukraine Eastern Ukraine campaign 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive 2024 Kharkiv offensive www.khartiia.org https://x.com/khartiia_eng?s=09 Major Daniel “Cuba” Kitone Vsevolod Kozhemyako uk Кожемяко_Всеволод_СергійовичColonel Ihor Obolienskyi 150px Patch when unit was battalion size The 13th Khartiia Operational Brigade (uk 13-та бригада оперативного призначення «Хартія», also spelled Khartia) is a combat brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine that was formed in 2022.ROMANENKO VALENTYNA One more brigade called Khartiia to be added to Offensive Guard https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/12/7397546/ 16 August 2024 Ukrainska Pravda en Khartiia was founded by volunteers to defend against Russian offensives from the Kharkiv region. It has also seen action in Bakhmut, Soledar, Ocheretyne, and Serebryansky Forest. In 2023 Khartiia was reformed as a brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. In April 2025 the 13th National Guard Khartiia Brigade was assigned to lead the newly organized Second Corps. History Ukrainian businessman Vsevolod Kozhemyako uk Кожемяко_Всеволод_Сергійович, CEO of the Agrotrade Group uk Агротрейд, founded Khartiia at the outset of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Krushelnycky Askold 2025-01-21 Ukraine's Bookishly Belligerent Brigade https://cepa.org/article/ukraines-bookishly-belligerent-brigade/ 2025-04-29 CEPA en-US The unit was formed in March 2022 by volunteers. Initially it was a part of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade. Ihor "Cornet" Obolienskyi, a National Guard of Ukraine colonel who rejoined the army in 2022 after a three-year stint in business, led Khartiia's military development. Vsevolod [Kozhemyako] called me and proposed to join our forces, recalls the Khartiia commander Obolienskyi about the start of the full-scale war.https://armyinform.com.ua/2024/04/16/pro-standarty-nato-u-vijsku-ekonomiyu-boyeprypasiv-ta-provedennya-after-action-review-intervyu-armiyainform-z-kombrygom-hartiyi/ Про стандарти НАТО у війську, економію боєприпасів та проведення After Action Review: інтерв'ю АрміяInform з комбригом «Хартії» armyinform.com.ua I would be responsible for the troop, and he would manage and organize the unit. So we had this great synergy from the very beginning. In spring 2022 Khartiia fought off the Russian invaders near Kharkiv and liberated Ruska Lozova, alongside other Ukrainian forces. Khartiia was one of the first Ukrainian units to reach the border with Russia during the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region in September 2022. In December 2022 Khartiia was the only Ukrainian volunteer unit in the Battle of Bakhmut. thumb|358x358px|Khartiia fighters with Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine In 2023 Khartiia was reformed as a brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, less than a year after it was founded. Early May 2024 saw the brigade fighting in Ocheretyne and Serebryansky Forest. Khartiia has kept their focus on the defense of Kharkiv. In May 2024, the brigade was redeployed from the Donetsk region to the Lyptsi direction. Khartiia's fighters stopped the massive Russian attack on Kharkiv. They faced what brigade commanders called waves of "meat assaults" as dozens of Russian troops would attack positions daily.2024-07-03 Ukraine war: Russia's 'meat assaults' batter Ukraine's defences https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80xjne8ryxo 2025-04-29 www.bbc.com en-GB In October 2024 Russia launched a resumed offensive in Kharkiv. The brigade captured seven Russian soldiers and a howitzer.Bondar Karina 2024-10-04 Military: Ukrainian troops captured 7 Russian positions near Lyptsi https://gwaramedia.com/en/military-ukrainian-troops-captured-7-russian-positions-near-lyptsi/ 2025-04-29 Gwara Media en-US As of December 2024, the brigade was still positioned on the front lines in Kharkiv Oblast.uk Militarnyi Хартія та 92 бригада майстерно стримали росіян на Харківщині Роман Приходько 5 May 2025 1 December 2024 https://militarnyi.com/uk/news/hartiya-ta-92-brygada-majsterno-strymaly-rosiyan-na-harkivshhyni/ The brigade has also been on the forefront of advancing new technologies on the battlefield. In December 2024, Khartiia Brigade released footage of robotically controlled ground combat vehicles laying anti-tank mines.Hnidyi Vitalii Hnidyi January 16, 2025 Ukrainian brigade pioneers remote-controlled ground assaults https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-brigade-pioneers-remote-controlled-ground-assaults-2025-01-16/ 2025-04-29 Reuters This was part of the first fully robotic ground combat operation in history.Mukhina Olena 2024-12-17 Ukraine military deploys dozens of ground robots, UAVs, FPV drones in historic combat operation in Kharkiv Oblast https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/12/17/ukraine-military-deploys-dozens-of-ground-robots-uavs-fpv-drones-in-historic-combat-operation-in-kharkiv-oblast/ 2025-04-29 Euromaidan Press en-US2024-12-17 Якою була реакція ворога на роботизовану операцію на Харківщині: розповів представник бригади «Хартія» https://hromadske.radio/news/2024/12/17/yakoiu-bula-reaktsiia-voroha-na-robotyzovanu-operatsiiu-na-kharkivshchyni-rozpoviv-predstavnyk-bryhady-khartiia 2025-04-29 Громадське радіо uk The brigade has multiple success stories employing unmanned ground vehicles, such as the Tarhan, Tor, and Zmii for CASEVAC.Gubina Evgenia 2025-05-20 Khartiia successfully evacuated a wounded soldier thanks to a ground robot – it traveled 12 km https://oboronka.mezha.ua/en/hartiya-evakuaciya-robot-targan-302075/ 2025-12-23 Межа enGubina Evgenia 2025-07-21 Khartia's ground robot saves wounded infantryman's life https://oboronka.mezha.ua/en/dron-hartiji-vryatuvav-zhittya-pihotincyu-303496/ 2025-12-23 Межа enCherevko Vlad 2025-08-09 Zmii-500 ground drone of Khartiia Brigade rescues wounded soldier, covering distance of 34 km – video https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/08/09/7525400/ 2025-12-23 Ukrainska Pravda en The Brigade has also advanced anti-drone technology2025-05-16 13th Khartiia Brigade to Launch Air Defense Battalion With Anti-Drone Technology https://united24media.com/latest-news/13th-khartiia-brigade-to-launch-air-defense-battalion-with-anti-drone-technology-8424 2025-08-26 UNITED24 Media en and Ukrainian-made radio technologies utilizing mesh networks.The 13th Khartiia Brigade deployed the Himera communication system using drones https://mezha.media/en/oboronka/hartiya-droni-sistema-zv-yazku-himera-303906/ 2025-08-26 Mezha.Media en Two new corps were announced in April 2025 as part of a reorganization of the AFU.Олексієв Федір 2025-04-15 Two new corps have been created in the National Guard – they are headed by 'Azov' and 'Khartiia' commanders Ukraine Top News https://glavnoe.in.ua/en/news-en/two-new-corps-have-been-created-in-the-national-guard-they-are-headed-by-azov-and-khartiia-commanders 2025-08-26 glavnoe.in.ua en-GB Commanders from Azov and Khartiia were chosen to lead the new corps.2025-04-15 Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard corps https://kyivindependent.com/azov-khartiia-commanders-to-lead-2-new-national-guard-corps/ 2025-08-26 The Kyiv Independent en In February 2025 President Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's Armed Forces would reorganize into a corps structure.2025-02-03 'We need the corps system' — Zelensky approves plan to restructure army https://kyivindependent.com/we-need-the-corps-system-zelensky-approves-plan-to-restructure-army/ 2025-08-26 The Kyiv Independent en In May 2025, the brigade announced that it had recaptured lost positions north of the village of Lyptsi in northern Kharkiv Oblast in cooperation with Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade.Day 1,170: fighting continues across front lines despite Putin's truce https://uacrisis.org/en/1170 Ukraine Crisis media center 13 May 2025 9 May 2025 In the same month, the Brigade also announced the formation of an air defense battalion equipped with anti-drone technology. Structure As of 2026 the brigade structure is as follows:https://militaryland.net/ukraine/national-guard/khartia-brigade/ Khartia Brigade Military Land 2026-04-09 25x25px 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartia" 25x25px 13th Khartiia Brigade Unit HQ 1st Battalion of Operational Assignment 2nd Battalion of Operational Assignment 3rd Battalion of Operational Assignment 4th Battalion of Operational Assignment Tank Company Reconnaissance Battalion Artillery Battalion "Dracarys" Anti-Aircraft Defense Battalion Logistics Battalion Signal Company Patronage Service Commanders Khartiia volunteer unit founder – Vsevolod Kozhemyako (2022—2023) Khartiia brigade commander – Ihor Obolienskyi (since 2023) Khartiia chief of staff – Colonel Maksym Holubok (since 2023) Major Daniel “Cuba” Kitone (since 2025)2025-08-19 Daniel “Cuba” Kitone became the new commander of the “Khartiia” Brigade. What is known about him? https://babel.ua/en/news/120695-daniel-cuba-kitone-became-the-new-commander-of-the-charter-brigade-what-is-known-about-him 2026-04-09 babel.ua en Perepechko Iryna Mission planning and NATO interoperability Khartiia's motto is “We're building the new Ukrainian army”. The brigade uses the protocols of military decision-making process (MDMP) and troop leading procedures (TLP), as well as modern SOPs (standard operating procedures). Khartiia conducts after-action reviews to make the most of every mission. The unit also uses the NATO-standard S-structure of the brigade staff. “We’re here to set a new example and build the new Ukrainian armed forces. Taking care of our fighters, military planning according to NATO standards and modern management methods – that's what Khartiia stands for,” the brigade states.khartiiabrygada 1846921155401150659 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KHARTIIA 🧵 17 October 2024 https://x.com/khartiiabrygada/status/1846921155401150659 Recruitment Khartiia launched its first recruiting campaign in 2023.https://www.khartiia.org/ 13 БРИГАДА НГУ "ХАРТІЯ" www.khartiia.org “[We] guarantee 60 days of military training” was the campaign's slogan.https://www.khartiia.org/how-to-become-a-recruit Як стати рекрутом www.khartiia.org 2024-10-30 2024-09-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20240916113347/https://www.khartiia.org/how-to-become-a-recruit dead The brigade's commander Ihor Obolienskyi, military medic Kalyna and the ISTAR unit head Bit were chosen to be the faces of the next recruitment drive. In 2024 the prominent Ukrainian poet, novelist, musician and a long-time Khartiia supporter Serhiy Zhadan joined the ranks of the brigade. Сергій Жадан вирішив стати до лав бригади Національної гвардії України «Хартія» 25 March 2024 https://detector.media/infospace/article/224623/2024-03-25-sergiy-zhadan-vyrishyv-staty-do-lav-brygady-natsionalnoi-gvardii-ukrainy-khartiya/ Ukrainian historian and the Istorychna Pravda website editor-in-chief Vakhtang Kipiani joined up in 2024. Кіпіані: Готовність бути воїном народжується з ігор / Сценарій параду на Червоній площі, Жадан YouTube 29 August 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV9oNe1LXj8&pp=ygUb0LrRltC_0ZbQsNC90ZYg0YXQsNGA0YLRltGP In July 2024 the French philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Levy paid a visit to the Khartia fighters.https://espreso.tv/kultura-frantsuzkiy-pismennik-bernar-anri-levi-zavitav-do-khartii-de-sluzhit-zhadan Французький письменник Бернар-Анрі Леві завітав до Хартії, де служить Жадан espreso.tv In September 2024 the historian Timothy Snyder visited Khartiia in the Kharkiv region. Тімоті Снайдер у розмові з Сергієм Жаданом: Програна війна імперії абсолютно потрібна. І росіяни мають це в майбутньому (відео) 23 September 2024 https://lb.ua/society/2024/09/23/636085_timoti_snayder_rozmovi_z_sergiiem.html In October 2024 the brigade welcomed the minister of defense of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans.DefensieMin 1843246602355622250 Oekraïne blijft zich slim verdedigen tegen de Russische overmacht. 7 October 2024 https://x.com/DefensieMin/status/1843246602355622250 Traditions and symbols Serhiy Zhadan proposed the name Khartiia, combining the term "charter" in Ukrainian with "Kharkiv", the unit's hometown. Zhadan wrote the official anthem of the brigade, performing it with his band Zhadan and Sobaky.April 2026 The Khartiia emblem is a variation of the coat of arms of the Kharkiv Sloboda Cossack Regiment, a bow with an arrow, tightly drawn. It also contains a stylized letter "X", which refers both to the name of the unit and to its origins in Kharkiv.April 2026 Memorialization The Khartiia patronage service was formed in 2024. Its mission is to take care of the wounded soldiers and support the families of the fighters killed in action.https://www.khartiia.org/patronatna-sluzhba Патронатна служба www.khartiia.org 2024-10-30 2024-12-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20241201002556/https://www.khartiia.org/patronatna-sluzhba dead References Further reading Ukrainian Poet and Rock Star Fights Near Front and Performs Behind It, The New York Times From Tycoons to Pop Singers, Ukrainians of All Walks Come Together on the Front Lines, Wall Street Journal A look inside the Ukrainian 'billionaire's battalion' fighting Russian forces, NPR Klarer de å stoppe Putins offensiv? Nå angriper russerne som om krigen er over i morgen, Aftenposten Category:Military units and formations established in 2022 Category:2022 establishments in Ukraine Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Brigades of the National Guard of Ukraine