119th Territorial Defense Brigade (Ukraine)

The 119th Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces (119-та окрема бригада територіальної оборони) is a military formation of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine in Chernihiv Oblast. It is part of Operational Command North.

Formation
On 29 March 2018 the brigade was formed in Chernihiv Oblast. It was the first Brigade to be raised for the Territorial Forces. The need for the Brigade arose from having over 40 local defense units that lacked organized support. The brigade was planned to be composed of older reservists, aged up to 55 years old.

Brigade held a yearly exercise at a training range in Honcharivske.

From 12 to 26 May 2021 a large scale exercise took place involving over 2,000 reservists of the brigade. Battalions 162, 163, 164, 167 were involved in the exercise.

On 28 January 2022 Brigade was 70% formed. With over 400 soldiers and officers on peacetime strength and with over 4,000 planned in time of war. Of the six battalions in time of war, five were to be stationed in each of the raions and one to defend city of Chernihiv.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Units of the brigade took part in battles in Novoselivka, Shestovytsia, Yahidne, Lukashivka and near Chernihiv.

On 27 August, the brigade received its battle flag.

On 21 September Chernihiv city council awarded Brigades commander Colonel Oleksii Vysotskyi a "Honorary citizen of the city Chernihiv" title.

In late December a Moldovan-born Oleksandr Matsievskyi, a sniper from the 163rd battalion who was captured and executed by Russian soldiers during the Battle of Bakhmut. In January 2023 the 163rd battalion was continuing fighting in Bakhmut area.

In Spring 2023 units of the brigade were patrolling border areas and destroying HESA Shahed 136 drones.

Structure
As of 2022 the brigade's structure is as follows:
 * Headquarters
 * 162nd Territorial Defense Battalion (Sedniv) А7328
 * 163rd Territorial Defense Battalion (Nizhyn) А7329
 * 164th Territorial Defense Battalion (Pryluky) А7330
 * 165th Territorial Defense Battalion (Novhorod-Siverskyi) А7331
 * 166th Territorial Defense Battalion (Ripky) А7332
 * 167th Territorial Defense Battalion (Mena) А7333
 * Engineering Company
 * Communication Company
 * Logistics Company
 * Mortar Battery

Commanders

 * Colonel Vysotskyi Oleksii 2018 - present