108th Separate Mechanized Battalion "Da Vinci Wolves" named after Dmytro Kotsiubailo, also known as the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, is the battalion of the 59th Motorized brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[1]
History
On 20 January 2014, the 1st Assault Company was created and became part of the 5th Battalion of the paramilitary wing of Ukraine's Right Sector.[2] Since then, it has been in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine.[3]
On 17 March 2016, Dmytro Kotsiubailo was appointed commander of the 1st separate assault company "Da Vinci Wolves" of the DUK PS.[4]
On 30 November 2021, the unit's commander, Dmytro Kotsiubailo ("Da Vinci"), was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.[citation needed]
On 7 March 2023, the battalion lost its commander Da Vinci in the battles for Bakhmut.[8]
Since 1 July 2023, the battalion has been named after Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kotsiubailo, call sign Da Vinci.[9]
On 6 February 2024, the unit announced a new organizational structure in which the unit would be organized under the 59th Motorized Brigade (Ukraine).[10]
^Коцюбайло Дмитро Іванович / О. С. Іщенко // Енциклопедія Сучасної України [Електронний ресурс] / Редкол.: І. М. Дзюба, А. І. Жуковський, М. Г. Железняк [та ін.] ; НАН України, НТШ. – К. : Інститут енциклопедичних досліджень НАН України, 2022.
