The 72nd Mechanized Brigade announced on October 7 that Colonel Oleksandr Ohrimenko has been appointed as the new commander, replacing Ivan Vinnik.
Okhrimenko took over after the 72nd Brigade, which had been forced to withdraw from Vuhledar, a key frontline town in Donetsk Oblast, was forced to withdraw.
“We have become hardened by Donbas.” Battles for Bakhmut, Pavlivka, Vuhledar, Mykilske, Novomykhailivka, Vodiane. Vuhledar again… The enemy did us not break us during this time,” the unit stated on Facebook.
Arsenii Prylepko told Hromadske that after withdrawing from the town the 72nd Brigade moved to a new defensive line to continue to hold back Russian forces.
“Colonel Oleksandr Ohrimenko will lead the ‘Black Zaporizhzhians” into battle. New goals, tasks and purposes, as well as the acquisition of new capabilities.”
Okhrimenko, who has received numerous awards for his service, has been fighting with Russia in the Donbas conflict since 2014.
Okhrimenko, who was in charge of the 14th Mechanized Brigade when the full-scale invasion began, led his unit into battles in Kyiv and Kharkiv as well as Donbas.
Okhrimenko became the head of the regional enlistment in Odesa, Ukraine, in July 2023, after Yevhen Borisov was fired and detained for a scandal involving the purchase of a large property in Spain.
Vinnik was dismissed from command in late September, while the battle for Vuhledar continued. The decision was presented as a promotion that would allow Vinnik to “transfer his combat experience” to a higher position.
Vinnik was appointed commander in August 2022. Vinnik has been in charge of the 72nd Brigade for over two years. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Russian forces have tried to capture the town.
“Thank you for your stability, strength, wisdom, will and love for our staff!” Congratulations and good luck on your new path! Vinnik received a Facebook message from the unit.
Mariana Bezuhla, a former member of the parliamentary committee for defense, criticized Oleksandr Syrskyi’s change in command. She said that the dismissal of Vinnik threatened the brigade’s combat effectiveness.
Bezuhla, the central figure in many controversies is known for her inflammatory remarks toward the Armed Forces which put her at odds both with her fellow legislators and military members.
Around 10:40 am, Russia attacked the city. Two KAB bombs were dropped in the coastal region of the central district of Kherson and two others in the northern part.
The unit announced that Colonel Oleksandr OKhrimenko has been appointed as the new commander of 72nd Mechanized Brigade following the transfer of Ivan Vinnik.
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