The President recognizes the legendary Marine unit for its valor in defending Ukraine's sovereignty.
By Presidential Decree No. 315/2025, Ukraine’s 36th Separate Marine Brigade has been awarded the honorary distinction "For Courage and Bravery" for its outstanding service in defending the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The decree, signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 23, 2025, honors the brigade’s heroism, endurance, and professionalism in combat operations, particularly during some of the most intense phases of the full-scale war.
About the Brigade
The 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynskyi is part of the Ukrainian Naval Infantry and is one of the country’s most battle-hardened units. The brigade traces its lineage to the historic Black Sea marines and was reformed in its current structure following the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014.
Stationed primarily in southern Ukraine, the 36th Brigade became internationally known for its defense of Mariupol in the spring of 2022. Surrounded for weeks, its forces withstood overwhelming Russian assaults in the Azovstal steel plant area, eventually breaking through enemy lines in a daring breakout. Their stand became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.
Following its reconstitution, the brigade returned to the front lines and has since taken part in offensive operations in southern and eastern Ukraine, playing a key role in the liberation of multiple settlements and holding critical defensive positions under heavy fire.
