The patch on a service member’s shoulder is not just an award or part of the uniform. In the 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade, it is a symbol of absolute trust, brotherhood and loyalty to the motto “One for another!”. The right to wear the brigade patch has to be earned through sweat, blood and daily work. It is won as an exceptional honour — and lost in an instant.

The blue motivational patch of the 141st brigade — the highest distinction for service members for taking part in assault actions and for courage in battle.

The patch design carries deep meaning: the ones at the edges symbolise unshakeable pillars, and the four in the middle is the axis that unites the warriors. The colour scheme (dark indigo and white gold) embodies the strength and honour of the mechanized forces.

Yet the patches of the 141st SMB come in three different colours. Each of them reflects the level of an infantryman’s combat experience and his merit in the eyes of his brothers-in-arms.

The red motivational patch of the 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade, symbolising the reliability and perfect discipline of an AFU infantryman.

Red patch (Grade III): Reliability and discipline

This patch shows that the warrior is in the ranks, reliable and can be trusted.

How to earn it:

  • Completing the psychological obstacle course (for those who have not yet carried out combat tasks).
  • Readiness to carry out combat tasks as part of infantry units.
  • Proper performance of duties (including support tasks) and no breaches of military discipline.
  • Taking the Infantryman’s Oath.
The green patch of the 141st SMB, awarded to Ukrainian defenders for steadfastness and for carrying out combat tasks on the front line.

Green patch (Grade II): Combat work on the zero line

This colour is worn by those who have looked the enemy in the eye. It is a distinction for steadfastness on the positions and effective work destroying the occupiers.

How to earn it:

  • For infantry: carrying out combat tasks directly on the line of contact, evacuating personnel (wounded or fallen brothers-in-arms).
  • For artillery and tanks: hitting 20 enemy personnel, 4 motor vehicles or 3 armoured vehicles.
  • For unmanned systems units (UAVs):
    • MAVIC pilots: 1,000 min of flight time, detection of 100 enemy soldiers with minimal drone losses, hitting targets (enemy troops lying low, “zhduny”) with drops — 35 units.
    • FPV pilots: hitting 35 enemy personnel, 10 motor vehicles, 3 armoured vehicles, 15 drone control antennas and 10 tube artillery pieces.
    • Heavy bomber drones: hitting 35 enemy soldiers and 10 vehicles, 100 mine-laying runs, 100 supply deliveries, hitting 10 tube artillery pieces.
    • UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles): delivering 3,000 kg of supplies, evacuating 15 soldiers, hitting 10 enemy soldiers and 5 motor vehicles.
  • For air defence and EW: hitting 15 to 40 enemy targets, depending on the type of weapon (MANPADS, interceptors or EW).
A commander ceremonially presents a motivational patch to a 141st SMB service member in front of his brothers-in-arms in formation.

Blue patch (Grade I, the highest): Assault and courage

The blue patch is the highest recognition of character. It is awarded only to those who move forward and take back what is ours.

How to earn it:

  • For infantry: directly conducting assault actions, rescuing brothers-in-arms, evacuating a wounded soldier during an assault from enemy positions or from captivity.
  • For artillery and tanks: hitting 35 enemy personnel, 8 vehicles or 6 armoured vehicles (or firing over open sights).
  • For unmanned systems units (UAVs):
    • MAVIC pilots: 2,000 min of flight time, detection of 200 enemy soldiers with minimal drone losses, hitting targets (enemy troops lying low, “zhduny”) with drops — 60 units.
    • FPV pilots: hitting 50 enemy personnel, 15 motor vehicles, 7 armoured vehicles, 30 drone control antennas and 20 tube artillery pieces.
    • Heavy bomber drones: hitting 50 enemy soldiers and 15 vehicles, destroying 15 shelters, 200 mine-laying runs, 200 supply deliveries and hitting 20 tube artillery pieces.
    • UGVs: delivering 5,000 kg of supplies, evacuating 25 soldiers (or hitting 20 enemy personnel), hitting 7 motor vehicles.
  • For air defence and EW: hitting 30 to 55 enemy targets.

How can a patch be lost?

Whatever colour a warrior earns, its presentation is sealed with an oath of loyalty to his brothers-in-arms and to the Ukrainian people. But this symbol of trust can be lost.

A 141st SMB service member loses the right to wear the patch in the event of:

  1. Refusal to carry out a combat task.
  2. Leaving a wounded (300) or fallen (200) brother-in-arms on the battlefield without an order to do so.
  3. Systematic use of alcohol or drugs.
  4. Unauthorised absence from the unit — AWOL (SZCh).

The motivational patches of the 141st brigade embody unity and the driving force to defend the state. Whoever wears this badge tells everyone around them: “You can count on me!”.

What the colours of the 141st SMB patch mean and how to earn them — watch the video: