Formed in 1938, it took part in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in a standard infantry role in 1939. In 1941 it became part of the 3rd Airborne Corps and took part in fighting around Kiev. In November 1941 the remaining soldiers of the corps were used to re-form the 87th Rifle Division. The brigade was reformed when the corps was reformed soon afterwards, but converted into an infantry unit in May 1942 without seeing combat.