Between 1994 and 1998 , the 53rd was stationed in Gudauta as part of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Abkhazia . The brigade was repeatedly awarded the prize for being the best air defense brigade in the 20th Guards Army and the Moscow Military District for its performance during exercises between 2005 and 2008 . The brigade participated in the 2008 Moscow Victory Day Parade and the exercises " Zapad-2009 " , " Zapad-2011 " , and " Zapad-2014 . " The brigade was reported by Bellingcat and Correctiv as providing the transporter erector launcher and radar ( TELAR ) unit that shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on 17 July 2014 . According to Bellingcat 's January 2016 investigation , the brigade 's soldiers were involved in shooting down of the aircraft
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade