This is stated in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on November 15, 2017 № 811-r "On the redeployment of the military unit A0959 Air Force of the Armed Forces" published in today's issue of the newspaper "Uryadovy Courier", transmits UNN.

The government supported the decision of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to relocate one of the tactical aviation brigades of the Air Force of Ukraine to Volyn. The decision was made to expand the combat capabilities of the Air Force AFU. This will ensure proper cover for air borders and important state facilities in the north-west direction.

The military unit A0959 is the former 204th Sevastopol tactical aviation brigade named after Alexander Pokryshkin.

But in accordance with the requirements of the directive of the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of October 20, 2014 No. 350/106/1 / 26dsk / Osh "Plan for additional organizational measures in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2014" - the two hundred and fourth Sevastopol tactical aviation brigade named after Alexandra Pokryshkina (Mykolayiv city) to allocate from October 31, 2014 the conventional name military unit A0959, identification code 26614739. conventional name military unit A4515, identification code 07945732 cancel as of October 31, 2014.

The armament of the then 204th Brigade was nominally 46 fighters MiG-29 and MiG-29UB, as well as four training aircraft L-39M1. The brigade's combat readiness was extremely low, and by the beginning of 2014 there were only three MiG-29, one MiG-29UB and one L-39M1 in the flying state.

During the Crimean events on February 28, 2014 Belbek airfield was captured by Russian troops, which blocked the personnel of the brigade access to the aircraft parking, and also disabled all four fighters that remained serviceable. On March 22, the 204th Brigade and all the buildings of Belbek airfield were finally captured by Russian special forces.

Since April 10, 2014, in agreement with the Russian side, representatives of the Air Force of Ukraine have begun an operation to export their aircraft and property from the Crimea. The brigade was relocated to Nikolaev.