The flag of the 13th Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard "Charter" with signatures from its officers, sergeants, and fighters was handed over to the Ukrainian Football Association by junior sergeant Serhiy Zhadan. The meeting took place on April 25 during the XXVII Congress of the UAF.

"“Charter” is honored to have good partner relations with the Ukrainian Football Association. It's pleasant that at the UAF Congress, several members of «Charter» were awarded the ‘Team Above All’ award,” noted Serhiy Zhadan.

"This year has been extraordinarily difficult,” commented the President of the Ukrainian Football Association, Andriy Shevchenko. "The country faces terrorist attacks by Russia every day, such as recently in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. At times like these, we especially value and thank those who protect us. Thanks to you, we can continue our work."

Earlier, on the second anniversary of the brigade's creation, «Charter» held a charity match featuring Andriy Shevchenko, Serhiy Rebrov, Serhiy Zhadan, Vsevolod Kozhevnikov, and Ihor Obolensky. The lot was sold at an auction for $200,000.

Note

«Charter» is the only unit of Ukraine's Defense Forces that has transitioned from a territorial defense battalion to an operational brigade. The combat journey of «Charter» began in spring 2022 near Kharkiv, when Ukrainian counter-offensive operations forced Russian occupiers out beyond the state border.

In March 2023, «Charter» joined the ranks of Ukraine's National Guard and became the core of the 13th Operational Brigade of the NGU. It has combat experience on the Svatove axis, in Seredynsky Forest, and in Bakhmut.

In May 2024, «Charter» halted Russia's second offensive on Kharkiv. Now the brigade is defending Kharkiv Oblast from occupiers.

At the end of 2024, «Charter» conducted its first fully robotic operation — without human participation, using only ground robotics and drones.