Support Battalion “Kovali” 20th Operational Brigade “Lubart”
About unit
The “Kovali” Support Battalion traces its origins to February 2025, when an engineering and sapper platoon was formed as part of the 5th Special Forces Battalion. Following the formation of the 20th “Lubart” Rapid Deployment Brigade on April 15, 2025, the unit was transferred to the support battalion and, on July 5 of that same year, expanded into an engineering and sapper company. “Tyur” was appointed company commander.
On April 14, 2026, Valery Yendrushak (codename “59th”) became the commander of the support battalion. From that moment on, the unit began active expansion, changes to its organizational structure, and the buildup of combat capabilities.
The ranks of the “Kovals” were joined by fighters who consciously chose the path of armed struggle—nationalists, ultras, and motivated young people from various regions of Ukraine. The unit brought together people who understand that freedom is won only through strength, discipline, and a readiness to face the most difficult challenges.
Today, the engineering and sapper unit plays one of the key roles on the battlefield. The “Lubart” sappers clear passages through minefields, detect and neutralize enemy munitions, and construct positions and fortifications. A separate area of work involves the manufacture of equipment for strike UAVs and remote mining systems, which effectively enhances the brigade’s combat capabilities.
The “Blacksmiths” are constantly honing their skills, adapting to modern warfare conditions, and modernizing approaches to the deployment of engineering and sapper units.
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Commander
Valery "59th" Yendrushak
ColonelIn June 2015, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a mobilization order. He rose through the ranks from platoon commander to chief of staff in the 24th Mechanized Brigade, where he had served since 2018. In January 2022, he was appointed chief of the Support Forces Division of the “West” Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces.
In 2025, he graduated from the National Defense University of Ukraine and earned a master’s degree.
In October 2025, he was discharged from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and in December of that same year, he volunteered to join the 20th “Lubart” Brigade, assuming the position of chief of the engineering service of the support unit.
