Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we uncover the history of the 39th Motorized Infantry Battalion (Ukraine), also known as "Dnipro-2". Formed in May 2014 as a volunteer territorial defense battalion in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea, these soldiers faced the harsh realities of the early War in Donbas with limited resources.

We discuss the unit’s severe equipment struggles—where only one bulletproof vest was available for every ten soldiers—and their deployment to critical flashpoints like Volnovakha. We also take a deep dive into the tragic Battle of Ilovaisk, where the battalion suffered significant losses during the encirclement in August 2014. Finally, we explore the unit's legacy, honoring the 28 soldiers who lost their lives before the battalion was reorganized into the 55th Artillery Brigade in 2016.

Keywords: 39th Motorized Infantry Battalion, Ukraine War, Dnipro-2, Battle of Ilovaisk, Donbas, Russian Invasion, Volunteer Battalions, 55th Artillery Brigade.