26th Naval River Ships Division (Ukraine)

26th Naval River Ships Division is one of the two divisions of the Ukrainian Dnieper Fleet and till 2023 it was the only division of the fleet. It was established in 2022 and is tasked with protection of the Northern Dnieper against any possible Russian or Belorussian invasion attempt from the north and saw action during the Northern Ukraine campaign.

26th River Ships Division
26-й окремий дивізіон річкових катерів
Division Insignia
Active2022 - present
Country Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Navy
TypeDivision
RoleProtection of the Northern Dnieper
Part of Ukrainian Navy
Garrison/HQMultiple bases along the Dnieper
EngagementsRusso-Ukrainian War
DecorationsFor Courage and Bravery
Commanders
Current
commander
V. Symonenko

History

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It was established in 2022 along with the establishment of the Ukrainian River Fleet to safeguard the Northern part of the Dnieper against any possible invasion by Belorussian Dnieper fleet.

In September 2022, Sherp transferred a vessel to the regiment names as Sherp the Shuttle.[1] In November 2022, ten new vessels from the United States were incorporated into the fleet.[2]

 
Sherp the Shuttle in action
 
Bucha during her commissioning ceremony

The division participated in Northern Ukraine campaign and on May 12, 2023, a soldier of the unit Pomozanko Oleksandr Ivanovych, an Anti aircraft gunner was killed in action.[3]

On May 26, 2023, the River Flotilla received Bucha which became the flagship of the 26th division and also that of the fleet.[4] On July 2, 2023, the President of Ukraine presented a battle flag to the division.[5]

On July 4, 2024, the division was awarded the award "For courage and bravery" by the decree of the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.[6]

Vessels

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  • Bucha (Gunboat)
  • Sherp the Shuttle (Landing Ship)
  • Several Ark dauntless-class patrol vessels
  • Several 363U-class gunboats
  • Several modified civilian vessels

Commanders

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  • V. Symonenko (2022-)[7]

Sources

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References

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  1. ^ "Військові України отримали десантний катер "SHERP the SHUTTLE" - Мілітарний". mil.in.ua. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  2. ^ "До складу річкового дивізіону на Дніпрі надійшов катер Sea Ark Dauntless - Мілітарний". mil.in.ua. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  3. ^ "Сумна звістка прилетіла на Сновщину – Сновська міська рада". snovmr.gov.ua. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  4. ^ "ВМС ЗСУ прийняли МБАК "Буча" - Мілітарний". mil.in.ua. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  5. ^ Цензор.НЕТ (2023-07-02). "Наші ВМС разом із Силами оборони захистили Чорноморське узбережжя від російських десантних операцій, - Зеленський нагородив морпіхів. ВІДЕО". Цензор.НЕТ (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  6. ^ "Про відзначення почесною відзнакою "За мужність та відвагу"". 21 March 2024.
  7. ^ ПОДЯКА Українській геологічній компанії «ПІВНІЧГЕОЛОГІЯ»