75th Zhytomyr Battalion (Ukraine)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The 75th Zhytomyr Battalion is a multipurpose unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is based in Zhytomyr, with units also in Berdychiv, Korosten and Demchyn. The current commander is Colonel Oleksiy Melnyk.

The battalion was created on February 10, 1992, from two line battalions of the 7th Convoy Brigade stationed in Zhytomyr and Berdychev. It began with about 1,000 personnel in nine companies and two separate platoons. Its early tasks included guarding four prisons in Zhytomyr Oblast, supervising convicts, escorting people to court, and protecting railway stations and other facilities. In 1992–1993, rifle companies in Raiky and Berdychev were reduced and guardian companies were created. Over the years, prison guard units were transferred to other state agencies, while the battalion added and reorganized several units, including a patrol (later law enforcement) company in 1999, a special patrol company in 2001, and a military construction company with an automobile platoon in 2003. In 2001 the battalion was awarded the Transitional Cup for military excellence and discipline. A new patrol unit was created on May 16, 2020, and about 34 personnel are deployed daily for law enforcement duties.

The battalion has seen action in the war in Donbass (ATO), helped maintain public order in Kyiv and Olevsk in 2016, and has worked to combat illegal amber mining. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the battalion has fought to defend Ukraine. On June 28, 2023, an airstrike near Berdychiv interrupted the statehood day celebrations at a location where battalion personnel were present. The battalion’s units remain stationed in Zhytomyr, Berdychiv, Korosten and Demchyn.