Ukrainian Marine Infantry is one of the best-known branches of the Ukrainian Navy. Its history spans more than a century, while its modern combat path is closely connected with Crimea, Donbas, the defense of Mariupol, fighting in southern Ukraine and operations along the Dnipro River.
Today, Ukrainian Marines are far more than troops designed for amphibious landings. Modern Marine units conduct assault, defensive, reconnaissance and amphibious missions while operating armored vehicles, artillery, unmanned systems and other modern means of warfare.
Their official motto is "Always Faithful".
Ukrainian Marine Infantry in 1918
The history of Ukrainian Marine Infantry dates back to the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921. Ukrainian sailors began organizing their own military formations as early as 1917.
May 23, 1918 became the official date associated with the creation of Ukrainian Marine Infantry. On that day, Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi issued Order No. 70 launching the formation of a Marine Infantry Brigade.
The planned brigade consisted of three regiments. The first was to be based in Odesa, the second in Mykolaiv and the third in Kherson. Marine Infantry was intended to perform coastal defense missions and take part in amphibious operations.
More about the first Ukrainian Marine formations and the May 23, 1918 order can be found in the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory article about the creation of Ukrainian Marine Infantry.
The Revival of Marine Infantry in Independent Ukraine
After Ukraine regained independence, Marine Infantry was rebuilt as part of the Ukrainian Navy.
On July 1, 1993, the 1st Separate Marine Battalion was established. Its personnel included former Black Sea Fleet Marines who had sworn allegiance to the Ukrainian people, as well as members of Ukraine's airborne forces.
During the following years, Ukrainian Marines participated in international exercises and peacekeeping operations, gaining experience that later became an important part of the professional culture of the branch. More about the creation of Marine Infantry in independent Ukraine is available from the Institute of Naval Forces of the National Defense University of Ukraine.
Crimea in 2014: A Test of Loyalty
2014 became one of the most important moments in the modern history of Ukrainian Marine Infantry. During the Russian occupation of Crimea, Ukrainian Marines were among the units that continued to resist and refused to switch sides.
The 1st Separate Marine Battalion in Feodosia became one of the best-known examples of this resistance. After the military base was stormed, Ukrainian personnel left Crimea but continued their service on mainland Ukraine.
Donbas and the Development of Combat Experience
After leaving Crimea, Ukrainian Marine Infantry was almost immediately drawn into full-scale combat conditions. Ukrainian Marines performed missions in Donbas, defended important positions and gradually gained extensive experience in modern warfare.
In 2015, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade was established. Other brigades followed, and Marine Infantry became a much more powerful combat component of the Ukrainian Navy.
Mariupol and Azovstal
One of the most important chapters in the history of Ukrainian Marine Infantry was the defense of Mariupol in 2022.
The 36th Separate Marine Brigade, together with other Ukrainian units, held the defense of the city for an extended period under complete encirclement. Marines fought intense urban battles, used armored vehicles and other weapons, moved between defensive positions and continued resisting under extremely difficult conditions.
The final stage of the defense took place at the Azovstal industrial complex, where Ukrainian defenders confronted the enemy in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
The Creation of the Marine Corps
The full-scale Russian invasion marked a new stage in the development of Ukrainian Marine Infantry. The growing number of units, the scale of missions and accumulated combat experience led to the creation of the 30th Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy.
The Corps includes separate Marine brigades, artillery and assault units, reconnaissance, communications, engineering, unmanned systems and logistics units. Its official mission covers a broad range of operations - from coastal defense and amphibious operations to assaults on fortified positions and deep reconnaissance.
More about the history, missions and structure of the modern Corps can be found on the official website of the 30th Marine Corps.
Modern Marine Infantry: Armor, Artillery and Drones
The modern Ukrainian Marine fights very differently from Marines of the twentieth century. Units use armored vehicles, artillery, mortars, anti-tank systems, reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles.
Drone operators, reconnaissance personnel, communications specialists, engineers and electronic warfare specialists all play major roles. This makes a modern Marine brigade a complex system in which success depends on the interaction of dozens of different specialties.
Marines on the Dnipro
Combat operations along the Dnipro became one of the clearest examples of the continued importance of Marine Infantry skills. In the Krynky area and other parts of Kherson region, Marines operated on islands, transported personnel and equipment across the river, used boats and worked in difficult wetland terrain.
These operations demonstrated how important traditional Marine Infantry skills remain even in a war where much of the fighting takes place far from the sea.
"Always Faithful"
The motto of Ukrainian Marine Infantry is "Always Faithful".
These words have particular meaning for this branch. The Marines of 2014 left occupied Crimea without abandoning their oath. The Marines of 2022 continued defending Mariupol under complete encirclement. Modern units continue to perform combat missions in southern and eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian Marine Infantry in 2026
The modern 30th Marine Corps continues to develop. Its structure changes according to the needs of the war, while reconnaissance, artillery, engineering and unmanned capabilities continue to expand.
As of March 1, 2026, the 34th, 39th and 40th brigades, which previously had the status of coastal defense brigades, officially became separate Marine brigades. This reflects the development of the Corps and the combat experience of its units.
Cities That Became Part of the Combat Path
The history of Ukrainian Marine Infantry cannot be separated from Ukrainian cities.
Crimea and Feodosia. Mariupol and Azovstal. Mykolaiv. Kherson. Zaporizhzhia. Cities across Donetsk region.
These names have become part of the history of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Behind each one are people, military units and events that will remain part of Ukrainian history.
This memory is reflected in the "Cities" collection by Raccoon Merch - designs created around Ukrainian cities that have become symbols of resistance.
A History That Continues
Ukrainian Marine Infantry has traveled a long road from the first formations of 1918 to today's Marine Corps.
Almost everything has changed - the state, military structure, weapons, technology and the nature of warfare.
But one thing has remained the same - the people willing to fulfill their duty.
Today, Ukrainian Marine Infantry is a modern combat force combining historical traditions, wartime experience and new technologies. And while the struggle for Ukraine continues, its history continues to be written.
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