The division was reorganised and reformed several times until the collapse of the Soviet Union, when it entered service in the Ukrainian Army as the 25th Mechanised Division (Ukrainian: 25-та механізована дивізія, romanized: 25-ta mekhanizovana dyviziya).

Formed in the period from 24 April 1942 to 12 July 1942, pursuant to Directive GShKA N org/2/783669 on 16 April 1942, by converting the 2nd Guards Rifle Brigade, ex 71st Naval Rifle Brigade, station Sonkovo, Kalinin region.

11–12 July 1942 the Division left the place of formation for the Voronezh Front, arrived in the front, and from 22 July 1942 until 4 August 1942 it built the defence line on the eastern bank of the river Bityug.

Participated in the battles to establish a bridgehead on the river Don north of the city Korotoyak in August 1942, Ostrogozh-Rossoshanskij, Voronezh-Kastornoye, Kharkov offensive and defensive operations.

Chapayev (Russian: 25-я Гвардейская мотострелковая Синельниковско-Будапештская Краснознамённая, орденов Суворова и Б. Хмельницкого дивизия имени В.