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National Guard of Ukraine

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National Guard of Ukraine
Національна гвардія України
Sleeve insignia of the National Guard of Ukraine in 1993.
Active4 November 1991 - 11 January 2000 (8 years, 2 months)
13 March 2014[1] - present (10 years, 3 months)
Country Ukraine
AllegianceGovernment of Ukraine
BranchLaw enforcement
RoleReserve force / Counter-insurgency
Part ofMinistry of Internal Affairs
Motto(s)Honor, Courage, Law
March(Current incarnation) National Anthem
[Shche ne vmerla Ukraina] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)
"Ukraine has Not Yet Died"
File:Anthem of Ukraine instrumental.ogg
EngagementsTransnistrian conflict (Border security reinforcement Spring/Summer 1992)
2014 Crimean Crisis
2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant General Stepan Poltorak[1][2]
Not to be confused with List of guards units of Ukraine or Guards unit.

The National Guard of Ukraine —[Националня гвардія України, "Natsionalnaya gvardiya Ukraini"] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help) (NSU)— is the reserve component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that was revived in 2014 based on the Internal Troops of Ukraine. The Guard would then be reestablished on March 13, 2014 amidst rising tensions in Ukraine and its region caused by the military intervention in Crimea by Russia.[3]

The National Guard was originally created on November 4, 1991 right after Ukraine gained its independence under a direct supervision of the Supreme Council of Ukraine. However it was controversially disbanded nine years later on January 11, 2000 as part of a 'cost-saving' exercise by the then President Leonid Kuchma. In 1995 - 2000 there existed both the National Guard of Ukraine and the Internal Troops of Ukraine.

History

The National Guard was recreated in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine" [Law number 4393] dated March 12, 2014,[4] (the draft legislation being originally introduced to the Ukrainian parliament on March 11). A previous attempt by then President Yushchenko to bring back the National Guard during civil unrest in 2008 had been blocked in the Rada. It was finally re-established in March 2014 after the beginning of the Crimean crisis.[5]

The NSU was originally created by the Law of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine " dated November 4, 1991 № 1775 -XII. Dissolved by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine " dated 11 January 2000. During its early existence, the National Guard was indirectly involved in the Transnistrian conflict during the Spring/Summer of 1992, helping to defend the border against a threatened spill-over of the conflict into the Ukraine. Formations involved were the 3rd, 4th and 5th divisions NSU (equipment transferred from the 93rd Motorized Rifle Division was also used in this deployment). Afterwards, up until 1998, National Guard units backed up the border guards in anti-smuggling operations conducted on the border with Transnistria and Moldova.

The 2014 law provides for an initial authorised strength of 33,000 personnel. It also tasks the National Guard with maintaining public order, protecting sites like nuclear power plants and “upholding the constitutional order and restoring the activity of state bodies”,[6] in part a reference to the situation in Crimea, as well as to the perceived Russian threat to the Ukraine as a whole.

In the eastern parts of the country in particular, not only will the National Guard reinforce regular military units defending against a feared Russian invasion, it will also be expected to uphold Part 1 of Art. 109 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine,[a] i.e. it is intended to act as a Counterinsurgency force against 'Fifth columnists' and Infiltrators.

Reformation

In 2014 the reformed force was to be created partially on the basis of the Internal Troops of Ukraine, with plans for militias & armed wings from certain of Ukraine's political parties and organisations, including the Euromaidan movement, to be also incorporated into it. However those plans have run into resistance from at least some of the latter, who do not wish to give up their weapons or otherwise subordinate themselves to government control.[7] Direct recruitment from military academies is also intended.[8] On March 16, the Yatsenyuk government announced plans for the recruitment of 10,000 people within the next 15 days for the National Guard.[9] Individual volunteers are also being accepted.

The National Guard will be receiving a large proportion of the monies from the emergency budgetary reprogramming approved by parliament for the funding of weapons procurement, equipment repair, and training (said reprogramming is equivalent to $600 million in 2014 Dollars).[10] Eventually it is hoped that the strength of the National Guard will rise to 60,000 personnel. The pay for National Guard regulars is approximately 214 euros ($297) a month, equivalent to an average Ukrainian's monthly income. Officers receive about twice that amount.[7]

There are also some attached Internal Troops personnel, mostly for training and/or logistical support purposes, e.g. K-9 teams that have been taking part in training and demonstration sessions.

Structure

Badge of the Novorossiysk-Kiev Separate Guards Regiment, assigned to Kiev for Presidential Guard duties as part of the original [pre-2000] National Guard
Badge of the 22nd Separate Guards Brigade, assigned to Kiev for Diplomatic Protection (Diplomatic security) duties also known as military unit #2260[11]

Current

  • Main Administration
  • Territorial commands
  • Units of direct subordinance
  • Educational institutions

Pre-2000

At the end of 1992, six divisions were formed:

  • 1st (Kiev) Division - Kyiv, Zhytomyr
  • 2nd (East) Division - Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, Luhansk
  • 3rd (South) Division - Odessa, Kharkiv, Simferopol, Sevastopol, Mykolaiv, Kherson
  • 4th (North) Division - Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Mariupol, Pavlohrad, Kryvyi Rih
  • 5th (West) Division - Lviv, Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Drohobych
  • 6th Division - Chuhuiv (formed from the 48th Motor Rifle Division and became the 92nd Mechanized Brigade in 1999)
  • 7th (Crimean) Division - Simferopol (from 1996 - formed from 126th Motor Rifle Division)

Other elements included, at various times:

Under the pre-2000 structure,[i][j] the National Guard administratively came under the Ministry of Internal Affairs but operationally answered directly to the President of Ukraine, though prior to 1995 parliament had some operational oversight. In the 2014 structure, it reports both administratively and operationally to the Minister of Internal Affairs, a position at present held by Arsen Avakov. In the old NSU, its overall Commander was originally appointed by the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) for 5 year terms. His Deputy Commander was appointed to the post by the President of Ukraine upon a submission from the Commander. However, in 1995 the system was changed so that both the Commander and Deputy Commander would be appointed by the President.

Also part of the NSU was the Military Council, which approved the personal staff of the President of Ukraine based on submissions from the Commander, and the Department of National Guard, an administrative entity acting in accordance with the terms of reference approved by the President of Ukraine. This included the Guard's secondary Disaster management role.[k]

2014 Organisation

As of late March 2014, it was still in flux. However, current developments suggest that the 'new' National Guard will primarily be a Light infantry force, heavily reliant on reserve units with a few mechanized and armor support elements. This is in contrast to the 'old' National Guard, which was mostly a Mechanized infantry force, albeit one that incorporated a number of specialized formations and units, along with organic armor, artillery and air support elements.

The first of the new National Guard's regular battalions formally paraded on the 6th of April,[14] after only three weeks of training. The unidentified (Kiev based?) battalion consists of 500 members of between 18 and 55 years of age, and it appears to be tasked as a rapid reaction force, using soft skinned vehicles such as trucks for transport.

The commander of the National Guard of Ukraine is appointed by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) under a motion from the President.[1]

Commanders

Training

New recruits (those not transferring in from the Internal Troops, Ground Forces or military academies) will undergo an initial two week compressed training course, covering a range of areas from firearms and unarmed combat, to map reading and communications. Those signing up to be full-time members of the Guard will receive at least an additional four weeks of training.[l] For those part-time members who complete their two week training and return to their communities to await call-up, the authorities appear to be planning to implement a variation of the March battalion system; Based where possible around existing civilian militias and armed groupings. Most of those use the Sotnya as their basic unit, as does the National Guard itself.

Equipment

Weapons

Ukrainian Fort-12 semi-automatic pistol
  • Fort-12 Semi-automatic pistol[19]
  • PSM Semi-automatic pistol - 'Old' Guard, Officers issue.
  • Makarov Semi-automatic pistol
  • AKS-74U Personal Defence Weapon
  • PB Silenced Pistol - Seen during Training/Weapons familiarisation sessions. Actual use within the Guard will probably be restricted to specialist units.
  • AKM Assault Rifle - Used in training and initial unit formation. Currently unknown if the AKM will be the standard weapon of the Guard or if it will be generally issued the AK-74.
  • IMI Tavor TAR-21 Assault Rifle - Seen during Training/Weapons familiarisation sessions.[19] Examples probably came from Internal Troops stocks and will likely only be issued to select units within the National Guard.
  • AKM / AKM Type II Bayonets (AKM and AK-74 rifles)
  • Dragunov SVD Sniper rifle
  • PKM / PKMS Squad Support Weapon / General Purpose Machine Gun
  • Fort-500 shotgun
  • Saiga-12 shotgun
  • Satchel charges
  • RPG-7 Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher
  • RPG-16 Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher
  • RPG-18 Disposable Anti-Tank rocket launcher
  • RPG-22 Disposable Anti-Tank rocket launcher
  • RKG-3EM Anti-Tank grenade (Emergency weapon)
  • F1 hand grenade
  • RGN hand grenade (Offensive)
  • RGO hand grenade (Defensive)
  • RGD-5 (Some stocks still available as rifle grenades)
  • Cheryomukha series gas grenades[20] - Riot agents
  • Siren series gas munitions[20] - Ibid
  • Dreif-2 gas grenade[20] - Riot agent
  • Flash Bang grenades - Primarily Zarya-2, Fakel-S, and Plamya-M[20]
  • Smoke grenades - Including GRD series 40mm (under-barrel) grenades
  • GP-25 Under-barrel grenade launcher (AKM / AK-74 rifles) - limited numbers available
  • AGS-17 30mm automatic grenade launcher - limited numbers available
  • 2B14 Podnos 82mm Infantry mortar - In service with 'old' Guard, unclear if in current inventory.
  • 2S12 Sani Heavy mortar system (120mm) - 'Old' Guard
  • RPO-A Shmel Flamethrower (rocket launcher) - Limited issue
  • PMN series Anti-Personnel mines (available from old Soviet era stockpiles not yet destroyed under the Ottawa Treaty)
  • POMZ-2 series Anti-Personnel mines (available from old Soviet era stockpiles)
  • MON-50 Anti-Personnel mine (command detonated)
  • TM-62 series Anti-Tank mines
  • SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle (normally vehicle mounted)
  • AT-5 Spandrel Anti-Tank missile - Fitted to some of the BTR-4s issued to the National Guard.
  • ZU-23-2 Towed 23mm AA Twin Autocannon - 'Old' Guard, equipped Anti-Aircraft battalions. One battalion per NSU Division.

Gear

NBC equipment

Miscellaneous

  • Meal, Ready-to-Eat[27] - Field Rations
  • PUS-7 (Pribor Utchebnoj Strelby-7) - RPG-7 7.62mm subcaliber training device

Vehicles

Silhouette of Ukrainian BTR-4 with gun module "Grom"
  • BTR-3 - Reported to be in Guard inventory.[19] Possibly originally Internal Troops equipment.[n]
  • BTR-4 - At least 10 transferred from the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Additional examples may be on order.[o]
  • BTR-70 - Unknown number of examples, likely BTR-70D variant, transferred from Ground Forces.[p]
  • BTR-80 - Five new build examples to be delivered initially, probably BTR-80UPs originally intended for an Iraqi order.[28] Variant/s not specified, though may be of the battalion level command vehicle variant [BTR-80UP-KB]. [q]
  • DOZOR-B[citation needed] - Apparently transferred from MIA or Internal Troops stocks.
  • UAZ-469 'jeep' (Light Truck)
  • UAZ-452 series vans - Includes some ex-MIA/related agency vehicles.
  • LAZ buses - On loan or lease from various government and private entities. Mostly used for mustering purposes.
  • Truck bus - various makes
  • GAZ-66 series trucks - In service with 'old' Guard, not known if any in current inventory.
  • Kamaz trucks - 50 trucks (exact model/s unclear) sized from Kamaz (on March 17) in the Chernigov (Chernihiv) region by a self-defense militia intending to add them to the National Guard's truck fleet.[30][r]
  • Other requisitioned/impressed civilian vehicles

Tanks

  • PT-76 Amphibious light tank - Served for a short period (1992-1993) with the Separate Tank Battalion 1st Division NSU.
  • T-64B / T-64BV / T-64BK Main Battle Tank - 'Old' Guard
  • T-84 MBT - 'Old' Guard. In service with a single 'short' tank battalion, part of the 5th Division NSU.[s]


An early model T-84 tank—later versions have reactive armour integrated more smoothly with the hull. (Illustrative use only)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Actions aimed at the violent overthrow, change of constitutional order, or the seizure of state power"
  2. ^ The Institute and Senior NCO school were both created out of the Soviet era Kharkov Higher Military School of Logistics Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR
  3. ^ The Novorossiysk-Kiev separate regiment was moved to the Ukrainian Ground Forces upon disbandment of the original National Guard.[6]
  4. ^ Consisted of an administrative element and two primary units; the 51st Separate Helicopter Brigade and the 31st Separate Combat Helicopter Squadron. The former had 29 transport helicopters on strength at its formation, including Mil Mi-6s, Mi-26s, and Mi-8MTs. The latter had a initial TOE of 12 Mi-24 attack helicopters and 6 Mi-8MT transport helicopters.
  5. ^ Active as such between 1992 and 1993. Afterwards gave its tanks up to the Ground Forces and became the training battalion for the 1st Division.
  6. ^ Formed from the remnants of the 93rd Motorized Rifle Division. The tank battalion of a typical Soviet style Motor Rife Regiment consisted of three companies, each in turn containing three platoons with four tanks apiece. Each Motor Rifle Division primarily consisted of three Motor Rifle Regiments and a Tank Regiment, the latter in turn containing three tank battalions each having a strength of 31 tanks (plus support elements including a ZSU AA battery). It is somewhat uncertain if the independent battalion was at it's theoretical maximum full complement of 36 tanks upon it's formation, however.
  7. ^ In other words an Airborne Spetsnaz unit. Its primary role was special reconnaissance, though it also carried out other ISR taskings, as well as Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism operations during its lifetime, with corresponding name changes. May have had a few BTR-Ds on strength, but this is by no means certain.
  8. ^ Likely closer to reinforced company strength in actuality.
  9. ^ The Skorpion (Scorpion) unit, also known as the 'crimson berets', was originally the special forces battalion of the pre-2000 National Guard.[6] It is unknown at this time (late March 2014) whether it will rejoin the revived National Guard.
  10. ^ The Kobra (Cobra) mountain-rifle battalion may have originally been the Guard's Alpine warfare unit, but sources are not clear on this point.
  11. ^ According to the legislation that revived the National Guard, the 'new' Guard is supposed to have a similar role but there is no solid information on that aspect of its operations and responsibilities as of late March 2014.
  12. ^ However, at least one regular battalion has been stood up with only three weeks total of training.[Early April 2014]
  13. ^ At least one photograph exists of a member of the 'new' National Guard wearing a L-1 suit, together with what appears to be a ShMS NBC respirator. Detailed information on current Guard NBC gear and related training is unavailable at this time [late March 2014], though it is probably safe to assume that there will be some PBF masks in the inventory, given its additional and much used utility as a riot police mask.
  14. ^ In addition, 5 new build BTR-3Es (E1 version?) are to be delivered from the SE "Kyiv armored plant" [7th Kyiv Armor Repair Plant] to the Guard shortly.[28]
  15. ^ Also, 58 BTR-4s originally built as part of an order for the Iraqi MOD are to be diverted to the National Guard of Ukraine. Breakdown as follows; From undelivered third batch (42 vehicles): -29 BTR-4E - 5 BTR-4K - 2 BTR-4KSH - 6 BMM-4C
    From aborted fourth batch (16 vehicles): -12 BTR-4E - 2 BTR-4K - 2 BMM-4C
    The above vehicles are to equip ten as yet unidentified National Guard units. A number of the 'Iraqi' BTR-4Es have the BAU 23x2 armament option fitted, others the standard default armament module.[28][29]
  16. ^ Plus one BTR-70DI straight off the production line at the SE "Nicholas armored plant"[28] [Nicholas Armored Repair Factory Number 346], to be delivered shortly.
  17. ^ Five Soviet built but locally refurbished BTR-80 APCs (originally Ground Forces equipment) are also to be delivered to the National Guard straight from the factory, in this case the DP "Zhytomyr armored plant"[28] [141th Zhytomyr Armor Mechanical Repair Plant]. 5 more BTR-80s still under repair at another factory [7th Kyiv Armor Repair Plant] will be delivered on a as completed basis.
  18. ^ Currently 43 of the trucks are reportedly being stored at a local Police depot, pending the outcome of a legal challenge by Kamaz to their seizure. The ITAR-TASS news report[31] claims it was the Right Sector that sized the trucks.
  19. ^ The battalion was apparently set up in the second half of the 1990s specifically to carry out trials with the T-84. Equipment consisted of prototypes and pre-production machines, which were superior in some respects to later initial production models, e.g. (Soviet era supplied) ceramic armor packages.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The National Guard of Ukraine.
  1. ^ a b c Turchynov proposes parliament appoint Poltorak as National Guard commander, Interfax-Ukraine (19 March 2014)
  2. ^ Parliament appoints Poltorak as commander of National Guard of Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine (15 April 2014)
  3. ^ "Rada of Ukraine created the National Guard (English translation of title)". rbc.ua. 13 March 2014. (Article is in Ukrainian)
  4. ^ http://w1.c1.rada.gov.ua/pls/zweb2/webproc4_1?pf3511=50122 Draft Law of Ukraine on the National Guard [English translation of title] Verkhovna Rada website (in Ukrainian)
  5. ^ "In Ukraine, announced the creation of the National Guard begins mobilization experienced military (English translation of title)". www.NR2.Ru. 11 March 2014. (Article is in Russian)
  6. ^ a b c d http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/ng.htm GlobalSecurity.org entry on the Ukrainian National Guard, accessed 24th March, 2014
  7. ^ a b "Can the National Guard save Ukraine?". DW (Deutsche Welle). 20 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Ukraine creates National Guard ahead of Crimea vote". BBC.com. 13 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Kiev expects West response after Crimea vote". BBC.com. 16 March 2014.
  10. ^ Faiola, Anthony (17 March 2014). "Ukraine mobilizes reservists but relies on diplomacy". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  11. ^ Military unit 2260 (Kiev). NGU webisite. accessed May 1, 2014
  12. ^ Training center. NGU website. accessed May 1, 2014
  13. ^ Martial way Novorossiysk 290 Red Regiment. 290 Regiment formed in April 1942 as part of mechanized infantry units of internal troops. During World War II the regiment had been about the protection and defense of the Georgian Military Road, took part in the assault and liberation of the city of Novorossiysk, for which he was awarded the honorary title of "Novorossiysk". The regiment performed garrison service tasks and elimination of hostile elements in areas liberated from Nazi occupation. In 1945, the work provided the Yalta Conference of State anti-Hitler coalition. On November 24, 1945, the regiment was relocated to the city of Kyiv, where the personnel performing the functions inherent internal forces (combat gang violence, criminal groups, public order and public authorities in Kiev). 1945-1947 years - units of the regiment took part in the fight against gang violence in western Ukraine. In 1970, the regiment provided the public order in Odessa for eliminating the cholera epidemic. In 1980 he took part in ensuring public order during the Olympic Games. In 198 5 he ensured public order at Moscow during the World Youth Forum. From 26.04.1986 till May 1987 took part in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident (protection of public order, combating looting). From 1988 to 1991 served as a peacekeeping mission in the Caucasus. In 1992 the regiment joined the National Guard of Ukraine. Only part of the National Guard of Ukraine carried out the functions and tasks that are at present assigned to the Internal Troops of Ukraine. After the disbanding of the National Guard of Ukraine in 2000 according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine, he was transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and at its base the 1 single Novorossiysk-Kyiv Order of the Red Banner Regiment of the President of Ukraine (in / hr A-0222). Source http://voiska.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=250
  14. ^ "The first battalion of the National Guard oath [Google translation of title]". unian.ua (Unian Agency). 6 April 2014. (Article is in Ukrainian)
  15. ^ NGU Commander Guard Lt.General V. Kukharets. Spetsnaz NGU. March 24, 2013
  16. ^ NGU Commander Guard Lt.General O.Kuzmuk. Spetsnaz NGU. March 24, 2013
  17. ^ NGU Commander Guard Lt.Guard I.Valkov. Spetsnaz NGU. March 24, 2013
  18. ^ NGU Commader Guard Lt.General O.Chapovsky. Spetsnaz NGU. March 24, 2013
  19. ^ a b c Langston, Henry (19 March 2014). "A Look Inside Ukraine's Volunteer National Guard". Vice News/Vice UK. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  20. ^ a b c d "Ukraine govt expands list of smoke grenades, gas, flash-bang grenades to be used against rioters". interfax UKRAINE. 22 January 2014.
  21. ^ Spetsodezhda Camouflage Armor Vest Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the MB-610 Accessed 29th of March 2014
  22. ^ ZMK Arctic Camouflage Coverall Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the ZMK Coverall Accessed 29th of March 2014
  23. ^ IMP Portable Mine Detector Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the IMP/IMP-1 Accessed 29th of March 2014
  24. ^ OP-1 Combined Arms Chemical Defense Suit Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the OP-1 Accessed 29th of March 2014
  25. ^ VPKhR Chemical Detection Set Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the VPKhR Accessed 29th of March 2014
  26. ^ DP-12 Radiometer Sword of the Motherland Foundation website entry on the DP-12 Accessed 29th of March 2014
  27. ^ "Obama Chooses Not to Send Weapons to Ukraine". Military.com. 24 March 2014.
  28. ^ a b c d e YURIY TERESHCHENKO: UKROBORONPROM READY TO TRANSFER 100 NATIONAL GUARD ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS (English translation of tilte, article in Ukrainian) Official PR release dated 02/04/2014 Accessed 4th April 2014
  29. ^ 100 armored personnel carriers for the National Guard of Ukraine (English translation of blog entry title, blog is in Russian) bmpd blog Entry dated April 3rd, 3:54 [2014] Accessed 4th April 2014
  30. ^ http://infotruck.blogspot.ie/2014/03/ukraine-russian-vehicles-truck-fleet.html#links Ukraine - Russian vehicles truck fleet confiscated Post dated 20/03/2014, Accessed March 25th, 2014
  31. ^ Mashkov, Nikolai (28 March 2014). "Russian KAMAZ trucks seized in Ukraine are guarded by police". ITAR-TASS. Retrieved 28 March 2014.

External links and further reading

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