128th Territorial Defense Brigade Reforms

The 128th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces has begun a subtle process of reformation. This became apparent on March 17, 2025, when the brigade announced a change in leadership. Colonel Serhiy Romashko was appointed as the new commander, succeeding Colonel Rostyslav Rehinskyi, who had led the brigade since February 27, 2023. The reasons behind the leadership transition were not publicly disclosed.

We reported that the brigade, during Infantry Day celebrations on May 6, 2025, received the honorary title “Dyka Pole”. During the celebrations, the brigade was seen with a new insignia, which was also seen publicized on the Facebook of one of its linear battalions.

The battalion also published an explanation of the new insignia on their Facebook page. The new insignia adopts a modernised blue and yellow shield in line with the Ground Forces rather than the Territorial Defense Forces. At the insignia’s center lies a stylized falcon in flight, depicted with sharp, angular lines that form a Cossack cross, which evokes both vigilance and heritage. As part of the new insignia change, the 234th Territorial Defense Battalion also received a new insignia in a similar style to the new insignia featuring the stylized falcon in the center of the insignia with a Cossack cross behind the shield and bearing the battalion’s numerical designation at the bottom in a Ukrainian stylized font.

It is plausible that in the near future the brigade may be fully converted into a mechanized brigade. A similar transformation occurred in March 2024, when the 100th Territorial Defense Brigade was restructured into the 100th Mechanized Brigade. At the time, there were broader plans to convert several territorial defense units into mechanized formations within the Ground Forces. In July 2024, the 125th, 127th, and 128th Territorial Defense Brigades were also transferred to the Ground Forces; however were not reformed into mechanized units. The recent changes with their commander and insignia could suggest this trend may continue. However, it remains uncertain as to whether such expansion is feasible given the ongoing equipment shortages affecting many units within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

We will continue to monitor possible developments within these units and report on any significant changes or reorganizations. Stay tuned for updates!