Denis Redis Prokopenko has taken command of the Azov military group
On September 13, 2026, Brigadier General Denis “Redis” Prokopenko assumed the duties of commander of the “Azov” military group.
“On September 13, 2026, Denis Prokopenko will assume command of the Azov military group,” the statement reads.
Denis Prokopenko began his service in the “Azov” battalion on July 11, 2014. He participated in combat operations during the summer-fall campaign, including the battles for Maryinka and Ilovaisk, as well as in the defense of Mariupol.
During the Pavlopil-Shyrokyne offensive, Prokopenko commanded the 1st Company.
In 2017, at the age of 26, he became commander of the Azov Regiment. At that time, Prokopenko was the youngest regiment commander in the history of the National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As regiment commander, he devoted significant attention to training personnel, facilitated the organization of sergeant and officer courses, and led command-and-staff exercises.
In 2020, Prokopenko enrolled at the National Defense University of Ukraine, where he studied “Combat Employment and Command of Mechanized and Armored Units.”
According to the corps’ press service, one of Prokopenko’s major achievements was the transformation of “Azov” from a volunteer unit into a professional combat formation.
During the defense of Mariupol on March 19, 2022, Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Denys Prokopenko the title of Hero of Ukraine and presented him with the Order of the Golden Star.
He received the award for his personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for his loyalty to his military oath.
On April 7, 2025, Prokopenko was appointed commander of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov.”
Subsequently, on August 25, 2025, the President of Ukraine announced that Prokopenko would lead one of two newly formed military groups in the Donetsk region.
Denis “Redis” Prokopenko has now officially assumed command of the “Azov” military group.
This was reported by the corps’ press service.
