14th Operational Brigade “Chervona Kalyna” 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov”

The history of the “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade dates back to 1994. At that time, pursuant to an order from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the “Jaguar” special unit of the Internal Troops was established. It served as the foundation upon which the 8th Special Operations Regiment and the “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade were later formed. From the very beginning, the unit was built on a foundation of rigorous training and multifaceted development and growth. The special forces soldiers carried out important and high-stakes security missions.

Following the events of the “Revolution of Dignity,” Russia launched a series of hybrid operations in eastern and southern Ukraine. The goal was to destabilize and undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state and to artificially stoke separatism. The city of Kharkiv became one of the epicenters of these actions. There, with the support of separatists, Russian forces seized the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building. On the night of April 7–8, 2014, fighters from the “Jaguar” special forces unit carried out a brilliant operation, clearing the building. Kharkiv remained Ukrainian, and the Russians’ plans to create the so-called “Kharkiv People’s Republic” were thwarted.

From the very first days of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), the “Jaguar” special forces unit took part in the fiercest and most challenging battles. Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Semenivka. Defenses in the Debaltseve area. Battles near the villages of Krymske and Sokilnyky. The defense of Yasynuvata and Donetsk Airport. By order of the commander of the National Guard, the special forces unit was reorganized into the 8th Special Operations Regiment, which later came to be known as the “Ivan Bohun Regiment.”

From the very first days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the regiment’s soldiers stood up to defend the capital and the Kyiv region. The main battles took place near the towns of Buzova and Motyzhin along the Kyiv-Chop highway. Rapid-response battalions, reconnaissance units, and artillerymen acted swiftly to prevent the enemy from breaking through to Kyiv. An enemy mechanized column was destroyed, a number of settlements were cleared, and artillery methodically destroyed Russian positions. In total, more than 20 settlements in the Kyiv region were liberated. The enemy was forced to flee northern Ukraine after a humiliating defeat.

Following the liberation of the Kyiv region, the 8th Special Operations Regiment was redeployed to the Luhansk region to defend Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. The soldiers fought against vastly superior enemy forces. The main clashes took place in the area around the Azot plant. Among those fighting against the Guardsmen were the so-called “Kadyrovites.” Later, the regiment’s soldiers also liberated the village of Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region. It was the first settlement in the Luhansk region to be liberated from the Russians. No less fierce battles took place in the Verkhniokamyanske and Spirne areas.

In early 2023, as part of the “Guard of the Offensive” campaign, the 8th Special Operations Regiment was reorganized into the 14th Special Operations Brigade “Chervona Kalyna.” The brigade began recruiting volunteers, forming new units, and receiving new weapons. NATO command and control standards are being comprehensively implemented and developed within the “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade.

Since the spring of 2023, fighters from the “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade have been participating in counteroffensive operations in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Assault operations were conducted amid heavy enemy mining and against overwhelming enemy forces, which included elite Russian airborne and assault regiments. The main battles took place in the Orikhiv sector near the towns of Verbove and Robotine.

Since the summer of 2024, the brigade’s soldiers have been engaged in defensive battles in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast. From the very first days, the troops prevented the enemy from breaking through in Hrodivka and wiped out more than one elite Russian unit attempting to capture the western part of Donetsk Oblast.

In April 2025, as part of a reorganization and reform, the creation of a corps system was announced. The “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade became part of the 1st Corps of the National Guard “AZOV.” The corps also included the “Azov,” “Bureviy,” “Kara-Dag,” and “Lyubart” brigades. These brigades have repeatedly proven their professionalism and continue to grow, develop, and defend Ukraine.