Ukraine celebrates the Day of Special Forces: footage of soldiers’ combat work published
29 July 2024 12:35
ВІДЕО
Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 29 July. This is an elite unit that usually performs some of the most complex and secretive tasks, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
In 2007, the Special Operations Forces Directorate was established as a structural unit of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (under the leadership of Defence Minister Anatoliy Hrytsenko). The department existed in this format until 2012.
The Special Forces were created as a separate branch of the Armed Forces in 2016 and remained the youngest branch of the Armed Forces until the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces in 2024.
The decree to celebrate 29 July as the Day of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was signed by the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in July 2016. On the same day, Poroshenko signed a law establishing the Special Operations Forces.
The typical tasks of the Special Operations Forces include:
- raids and modern warfare;
- psychological operations (Psy-Ops);
- gathering intelligence behind the front line;
- “civilian administration” (attracting the population to their side);
- creation of agent networks;
- training of foreign armies, police and security forces (so-called “force multiplication”);
- search, evacuation and delivery of prisoners and hostages;
- medical assistance;
- infiltration into the structure of special services and military organisations for the purpose of espionage or elimination of people posing a threat to the state (including on the territory of other states);
- preparation for coups, overthrow of regimes;
- detection, identification and targeting of own munitions;
- anti-terrorist operations.
The unit was created with the support of NATO member states and is equipped with the best weapons available in Ukraine.
The Special Forces units consist of well-trained and motivated servicemen who perform tasks of increased complexity on land and water, in the temporarily occupied territories, sabotage behind enemy lines, and conduct aerial reconnaissance.
The slogan of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was chosen as the battle slogan of Sviatoslav the Brave – “I’m coming for you!”.
In May this year, Oleksandr Trepak became the Commander of the Special Operations Forces.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on their professional holiday and stressed that their work always yields results that strengthen Ukraine and weaken the invaders.
“The hottest areas of the frontline. The most important combat operations. The most responsible tasks. We can’t talk much about the work of the Special Operations Forces now, but these are always results that strengthen Ukraine and weaken the Russian occupiers,” Zelenskyy said.
The President also published a video selection of the combat work of the Special Operations Forces.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi also congratulated the Special Operations Forces on the holiday.
“The Special Operations Forces are also the heroes of the Ukrainian resistance in the rear of the Russian occupiers and on the temporarily occupied Ukrainian lands, who literally make the ground burn under the invaders’ feet. That is why the Special Forces are one of the most secretive representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you about all your exploits and victories, because most of them remain a state secret. I bow my head low in memory of every Ukrainian defender – the soldiers of the Special Operations Forces, who gave the most valuable thing – their lives – in the fight for the freedom of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s independence…”, wrote Syrskyi.
Defence Minister Rustam Umerov also congratulated the Special Forces.
“Today, we pay tribute to the officers, sergeants and soldiers of the Special Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – heroes who are legendary. You are always at the forefront, performing the most difficult tasks in the hottest spots where you are not expected. You ensure the country’s security by working behind enemy lines, freeing hostages and capturing enemies. I wish you strength, courage and professionalism. Believe in victory and let every combat mission end with your safe return. Glory to Ukraine!” Umerov wished.
Read the full interview: Journalism and war: The story of a Ukrainian soldier fighting in the Special Forces
