Based in Artemivsk, it was absorbed by the 254th Motor Rifle Division in 1990.

[1] The division was activated on 20 June 1966 in Artemivsk, Donetsk Oblast, part of the Kiev Military District.

In April 1982, the division became part of the 64th Army Corps.

In July 1989, the corps was disbanded and the 36th became part of the Kiev Military District again.

During the Cold War, the division was maintained at 15% strength.