View source for Armed Forces of Ukraine

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Ukraine}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Ukrainian Armed Forces
| native_name = {{nativename|uk|Збройні сили України}}
| image = Emblem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.svg
| image_size = 150px
| alt = 
| caption = Emblem of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
| image2 = Ensign of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.svg
| image_size2 = 175px
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Flag of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
| motto = 
| founded = {{start date and age|df=y|1917|3|29}}
| current_form = {{start date and age|df=y|1991|12|6}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1934-12|title=Про Збройні Сили України № 1934-XII|website=zakon1.rada.gov.ua|access-date=1 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330165053/http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1934-12|archive-date=30 March 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{flagicon image|Ensign of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.svg|size=23px}} [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]]}}|{{nowrap|{{flagicon image|Flag of the Ukrainian Naval Infantry.png|size=23px}} [[Ukrainian Marine Corps|Marine Corps]]}}|{{nowrap|{{Navy|Ukraine|name=Navy}}}}|{{nowrap|{{Air force|Ukraine|name=Air Force}}}}|{{nowrap|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces.svg|size=23px}} [[Ukrainian Air Assault Forces|Air Assault Forces]]}}|{{nowrap|{{flagicon image|Flag of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine.svg|size=23px}} [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)|Special Operations Forces]]}}<ref name="SF">[http://espreso.tv/article/2015/04/22/komanduvannya_sso___novyy_rid_viysk Special Operations Forces, what will the new branch be like?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921030127/http://espreso.tv/article/2015/04/22/komanduvannya_sso___novyy_rid_viysk |date=2015-09-21 }}. ESPRESO. 22 April 2015</ref>}}
[[File:Territorial Defence Forces branch SSI.svg|20px]] [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-13 |title=Ukraine's new military branch: Citizens protecting their neighborhood |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-military-citizen-reservist-defense/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213204816/https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-russia-military-citizen-reservist-defense/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />[[File:Sbs_army_logo.svg|25px]] [[Unmanned Systems Forces]]<ref>{{cite news |author=Rachel Amran |date=6 February 2024 |title=Zelensky: Ukrainian military to create separate branch dedicated to drones |url=https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-create-separate-division-of-military-focused-on-drones/ |publisher=The Kyiv Independent}}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Ministry of Defence building (Ukraine)|Ministry of Defence Building]], Povitrianykh Syl Avenue, [[Kyiv]]
| flying_hours = <!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Ukraine.svg|size=23px}} [[President of Ukraine|President]] [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Ukraine|Supreme Commander-in-Chief]]
| minister = {{flagicon image|Standard of the Ukrainian Defense Minister rect.svg|size=23px}} [[Rustem Umerov]]
| minister_title = [[List of Ministers of Defense (Ukraine)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = {{flagicon image|Standard of Ukrainian Chief of the General Staff rect.svg|size=23px}} [[Oleksandr Syrskyi]]
| commander_title = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine|Commander-in-Chief]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18<ref>"''Стаття 15. Призовний вік. Призов громадян України на строкову військову службу. На строкову військову службу в мирний час призиваються придатні для цього за станом здоров'я громадяни України чоловічої статі, яким до дня відправлення у військові частини виповнилося 18 років''"<br />Закон № 2232-XII від 25 March 1992 "Про військовий обов'язок і військову службу" (ред. від 15 January 2015)</ref>
| conscription = 12–18 months (depending on branches)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ukraine-lowers-its-conscription-age-to-25-to-plug-a-shortfall-in-troop-numbers-fighting-russia/article68024745.ece | title=Ukraine lowers its conscription age to 25 to plug a shortfall in troop numbers fighting Russia | newspaper=The Hindu | date=3 April 2024 }}</ref>{{request quotation|date=August 2024}}<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/03/ukraine-military-draft-age-law | title=Ukraine military draft age lowered to boost fighting force | newspaper=The Guardian | date=2 April 2024 | last1=Sauer | first1=Pjotr }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2024}}
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 18–65 participation in hostilities only from 25 years of age to 25 only on a voluntary basis (2024)
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 1,260,000 (2024 estimate)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine needs 500,000 military recruits. Can it raise them? |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d7e95021-df99-4e99-8105-5a8c3eb8d4ef |date=2024-03-13 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref>
| reserve = 2,500,000
| ranked = 
| deployed = 
| amount = [[USD|$]]64.8 billion [[Ukrainian hryvnia|₴]] 2.4 trillion (2024)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/ukraines-budget-2024 | title=Ukraine's Budget for 2024 &#124; Wilson Center }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-funding-budget-defense-european-union/ | title=Ukraine's funding gap — by the numbers | date=25 January 2024 }}</ref> [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|foreign military aid]]
| percent_GDP = 37% (2024)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/UKR/ukraine/military-spending-defense-budget | title=Ukraine Military Spending/Defense Budget 1960-2024 }}</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-plans-big-rise-defence-spending-2024-draft-budget-2023-09-15/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2024}}
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[Ukrainian Defense Industry]]
| foreign_suppliers = {{collapsible list|title=Current suppliers<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ifw-kiel.de/topics/war-against-ukraine/ukraine-support-tracker/ | title=Ukraine Support Tracker - A Database of Military, Financial and Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine }}</ref>
|{{flag|Albania}}<br />{{flag|Argentina}}<br />{{flag|Australia}}<br />{{flag|Austria}}<br />{{flag|Azerbaijan}}<br />{{flag|Belgium}}<br />{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}<br />{{flag|Bulgaria}}<br />{{flag|Cambodia}}<br />{{flag|Canada}}<br />{{flag|Colombia}}<br />{{flag|Croatia}}<br />{{flag|Cyprus}}<br />{{flag|Czech Republic}}<br />{{flag|Denmark}}<br />{{flag|Estonia}}<br />{{flag|European Union}}<br />{{flag|Egypt}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/4/10/us-arms-ukraine-with-thousands-of-seized-iranian-guns-rifles-and-munitions | title=US arms Ukraine with thousands of seized Iranian guns, rifles and munitions }}</ref><br />{{flag|Finland}}<br />{{flag|France}}<br />{{flag|Georgia}}<br />{{flag|Germany}}<br />{{flag|Greece}}<br />{{flag|Hungary}}<br />{{flag|Iceland}}<br />{{flag|India}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/indian-155mm-artillery-shells-land-up-in-ukraine-despite/amp/ | title=Indian 155MM Artillery Shells Land up in Ukraine Despite Delhi's Neutral Stance; Third-Party Export Suspected | date=3 January 2024 }}</ref><br />{{flag|Iran}}<ref>https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/4/10/us-arms-ukraine-with-thousands-of-seized-iranian-guns-rifles-and-munitions</ref><br />{{flag|Ireland}}<br />{{flag|Israel}}<br />{{flag|Italy}}<br />{{flag|Japan}}<br />{{flag|Jordan}}<br />{{flag|Kenya}}<br />{{flag|Kosovo}}<br />{{flag|Latvia}}<br />{{flag|Liberia}}<br />{{flag|Lithuania}}<br />{{flag|Luxembourg}}<br />{{flag|Malta}}<br />{{flag|Moldova}}<br />{{flag|Montenegro}}<br />{{flag|Morocco}}<br />{{flag|NATO}}<br />{{flag|Netherlands}}<br />{{flag|New Zealand}}<br />{{flag|North Macedonia}}<br />{{flag|Norway}}<br />{{flag|Poland}}<br />{{flag|Portugal}}<br />{{flag|Romania}}<br />{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<br />{{flag|Serbia}}<br />{{flag|Slovakia}}<br />
{{flag|Slovenia}}<br />{{flag|South Korea}}<br />{{flag|Spain}}<br />{{flag|Sudan}}<br />{{flag|Sweden}}<br />{{flag|Switzerland}}<br />{{flag|Taiwan}}{{efn|The official title is "Republic of China". See also [[List of states with limited recognition]], [[Political status of Taiwan]] and [[Foreign relations of Taiwan]].}}<br />{{flag|Thailand}}<br />{{flag|Timor Leste}}<br />{{flag|Tunisia}}<br />{{flag|Turkey}}<br />{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}}<br />{{flag|United States}}}}{{collapsible list|title=Former suppliers|{{flag|Belarus}}<br />{{flag|Russia}}}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = *[[Iraq War]]
*'''[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]''' <small>(2014–present)</small>
**'''[[War in Donbas]]''' <small>(2014–2022)</small>
***[[Battle of Artemivsk]]
***[[Siege of Sloviansk]]
***[[Battle of Kramatorsk]]
***[[Battle of Mariupol (2014)|Battle of Mariupol]]
***[[Battles of Sievierodonetsk (2014)|Battles of Sievierodonetsk]]
***[[Battle of Karlivka]]
***[[First Battle of Donetsk Airport|1st Battle of Donetsk Airport]]
***[[Siege of the Luhansk Border Base]]
***[[Battle of Krasnyi Lyman]]
***[[Zelenopillia rocket attack]]
***[[Battle in Shakhtarsk Raion]]
***[[Battle of Horlivka]]
***[[Battle of Ilovaisk]]
***[[Battle of Novoazovsk]]
***[[Offensive on Mariupol (September 2014)|Mariupol offensive]]
***[[Second Battle of Donetsk Airport|2nd Battle of Donetsk Airport]]
***[[Battle of Debaltseve]]
***[[Shyrokyne standoff]]
***[[Battle of Marinka (2015)|Battle of Marinka]]
***[[Battle of Svitlodarsk]]
***[[Battle of Avdiivka (2017)|Battle of Avdiivka]]
**'''[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]''' <small>(2022–present)</small>
***[[Northern Ukraine campaign]]
***[[Eastern Ukraine campaign]]
***[[Southern Ukraine campaign]]
***[[List of military engagements during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Other]]
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Ukraine]]
| country = [[Ukraine]]
| website = {{URL|www.mil.gov.ua}}
}}

The '''Armed Forces of Ukraine'''{{efn|{{langx|uk|Збройні сили України|Zbroini syly Ukrainy}}, {{IPA|uk|ˈzbrɔi̯nʲi ˈsɪɫe ʊkrɐˈjine|pron}}}} (abbreviated as '''AFU'''){{efn|{{langx|uk|ЗСУ|links=no}} / ZSU}} are the [[Military|military forces]] of [[Ukraine]]. All military and security forces, including the Armed Forces, are under the command of the [[President of Ukraine]] and subject to oversight by a permanent [[Verkhovna Rada]] parliamentary commission. They trace their lineage to 1917, while the modern armed forces were formed again in 1991. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|fifth largest armed force in the world in terms of both active personnel as well as total number of personnel]] with the [[List of countries by military expenditures|eighth largest defence budget]] in the world, and it also operates one of the largest and most diverse drone fleets in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.warpowerukraine.com/droneforce.php|title=Ukrainian Drone Force|website=www.warpowerukraine.com}}</ref> Due to the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], ongoing in 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been described as "the most battle-hardened in Europe,"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ukrainian-military-now-most-powerful-and-battle-hardened-in-europe-claims-foreign-minister/videoshow/105619620.cms|title=Ukrainian military now most powerful and battle-hardened in Europe, claims Foreign Minister|date=30 November 2023|website=The Economic Times}}</ref> but has suffered many casualties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian Military Performance and Outlook |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12150}}</ref>

Ukraine's armed forces are composed of the [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]], the [[Ukrainian Air Force|Air Force]], the [[Ukrainian Navy|Navy]], the [[Ukrainian Air Assault Forces|Air Assault Forces]], the [[Ukrainian Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)|Special Operations Forces]], the [[Unmanned Systems Forces]], and the [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ponomarenko |first=Illia |author-link=Illia Ponomarenko |date=2022-01-07 |title=Who can and can't join Ukraine's Territorial Defense Force |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/who-can-and-cant-join-ukraines-new-territorial-defense-force/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en-US |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610223600/https://kyivindependent.com/national/who-can-and-cant-join-ukraines-new-territorial-defense-force/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ukraine's navy includes its own [[Ukrainian Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation]]. The [[Ukrainian Sea Guard|Sea Guard]] is the [[coast guard]] service of Ukraine, and it is organized as part of the [[State Border Guard Service of Ukraine|Border Guard Service]], not subordinate to the navy. The [[National Guard of Ukraine|National Guard]] serves as a [[paramilitary]] reserve component of the Armed Forces.

Military units of other countries have participated regularly in multinational military exercises in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/parliament-approves-admission-of-military-units-of-67094.html|title = Parliament approves admission of military units of foreign states to Ukraine for exercises|date = 18 May 2010|work = [[Kyiv Post]]|access-date = 9 February 2016|archive-date = 9 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160209205601/http://www.kyivpost.com/article/content/ukraine-politics/parliament-approves-admission-of-military-units-of-67094.html}}</ref> Many of these exercises have been held under the [[NATO]] cooperation program [[Partnership for Peace]]. As of 2024, with [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|over $120 billion in foreign military aid]] in addition to [[List of countries with highest military expenditures|being one of the best-funded armed forces in the world]], the Soviet era [[List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine|military equipments]] of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fast being replaced with vast amounts of [[NATO standard]] military equipments.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-01 |title=Ukraine weapons: What tanks and other equipment are the world giving? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62002218 |access-date=2023-05-25 |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525133324/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62002218 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|Ukrainian People's Army}}
The formation of the national armed forces in the modern sense dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century and coincides with the formation of the modern Ukrainian nation. In official history, this period is referred to as the "[[Ukrainian War of Independence]]" or the "First Liberation Struggle." This process coincided with the end of the [[First World War]] and the subsequent collapse of great European empires from previous centuries. The forerunner event was the creation of national military formations in the [[Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces|Imperial and Royal Armies]] of [[Austria-Hungary]], namely the Legion of [[Ukrainian Sich Riflemen]], on which Ukrainian paramilitary organizations in Galicia were based: Sich Sports and Fire Brigade, "[[Ukrainian Sokol movement|Sokil]]" and the national scout organization "[[Plast]]".{{citation needed|date= February 2023}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=von Hagen |first=Marc |title=War in a European Borderland: Occupations and Occupation Plans in Galicia and Ukraine, 1914-1918 |date=October 23, 2007}}</ref>

After the upheavals of [[World War I]] and on the verge of the collapse of empires, the Ukrainians tried again to return to sovereign statehood. As part of the growing disintegration in the ranks of the [[Imperial Russian Army|Russian Imperial Army]], national units began to form. After the Bolshevik coup, [[hybrid warfare]] broke with the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic]] and the [[White movement|White Guard]]. During the undeclared war, the [[Ukrainian People's Army|Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic]] had already formed, but its formation was interrupted by the [[German Empire|German]] administration. It continued in a limited form after the establishment of [[Hetman of Ukraine]] [[Pavlo Skoropadskyi]]'s [[Ukrainian State]], known as the [Second] Hetmanate. The national armed forces continued to develop. The Armed Forces of the Ukrainian state were planned in a more systematic way than in previous versions, although previous development was used in this process, and many mistakes were also made.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/on1159040760 |title=The Russian Civil War, 1918-1921: an operational-strategic sketch of the Red Army's combat operations |date=2020 |publisher=Casemate Academic |isbn=978-1-952715-04-4 |editor-last=Bubnov |editor-first=A. |location=Philadelphia, PA |oclc=on1159040760 |editor-last2=Kamenev |editor-first2=Sergeĭ Sergeevich |editor-last3=Tukhachevskiĭ |editor-first3=M. N. |editor-last4=Eidemanis |editor-first4=Roberts |editor-last5=Harrison |editor-first5=Richard W.}}</ref>

Uprisings against the Hetmanate's rule eventually resulted, and the reorientation of the [[Central Powers]] who lost in World War I against the [[Triple Entente|Entente]], which in turn supported the White Guard movement and the [[Russian Empire]] as its original ally.{{citation needed|date= February 2023}}

Simultaneously with these events, after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917, numerous military formations were formed on Ukrainian lands, including detachments of the [[Free Cossacks]], [[Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine|Father Makhno's Ukrainian Insurgent Army]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Darch |first=Colin |title=Nestor Makhno and Rural Anarchism in Ukraine, 1917-1921 |date=September 2020}}</ref> and the [[Bolsheviks|Bolshevik]] [[Red Cossacks]]. The latter became the basis of the puppet armed forces of the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|UkrSSR]], and after the occupation of the [[Ukrainian People's Republic]] were included in the [[Red Army]]. After the collapse of the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian Empire]] in 1918, the [[Ukrainian Galician Army]] came to the defense of the [[West Ukrainian People's Republic|Western Ukrainian People's Republic]], based on the formation of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen of the former Austro-Hungarian Army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yekelchyk |first=Serhy |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm71173938 |title=Ukraine: birth of a modern nation |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-530545-6 |location=Oxford ; New York |oclc=ocm71173938}}</ref>

During [[World War II]], Ukrainians tried to regain independence and organized armed units and formations, including the [[Ukrainian Insurgent Army]],<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Stepan Bandera: the life and afterlife of a Ukrainian nationalist fascism, genocide, and cult |publisher=ibidem-Verlag |date=2014 |place=Stuttgart |isbn=9783838206042 |first=Grzegorz |last=Rossoliński-Liebe}}</ref> but all of them were destroyed by Soviet authorities<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Glantz |first1=David M. |title=When titans clashed: how the Red Army stopped Hitler |last2=House |first2=Jonathan M. |date=2015 |publisher=University Press of Kansas |isbn=978-0-7006-2121-7 |edition=Revised and expanded |series=Modern war studies |location=Lawrence, Kansas}}</ref> within a few years after the war, and Ukrainians were again forced to serve in the [[Soviet Armed Forces]].{{citation needed|date= February 2023}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Abbot, Pinak |first=Peter, Eugene |title=Ukrainian Armies 1914-55 |year=2012}}</ref>

=== Origins of the post-1992 Ukrainian Armed Forces ===
By 1992, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been completely inherited from the [[Soviet Union]], in which Ukraine [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|had been a member state]] (a [[union republic]]). Like other Soviet republics, it did not possess its own separate military command, as all military formations were uniformly subordinated to the central command of the Soviet Armed Forces. Administratively, the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] was divided into three Soviet military districts (the [[Carpathian Military District]], [[Kyiv]] [[Kyiv Military District|Military District]], and [[Odesa Military District]]). Three Soviet air commands and most of the [[Black Sea Fleet]] naval bases were located on the coast of Ukraine. Majority of the officers were educated in Soviet educational institutions, many of them which came under the AFU, what is now the Ivan Bohun High School was actually a Soviet-established institution.

When the [[collapse of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union collapsed]] in 1991, the newly independent state of Ukraine inherited one of the most powerful force groupings in Europe. According to an associate of the [[Conflict Studies Research Centre]], James Sherr: "This grouping, its inventory of equipment and its officer corps was designed for one purpose: to wage combined arms, coalition, offensive (and nuclear) warfare against NATO on an external front".<ref>James Sherr, 'Ukraine's Defense Reform: An Update', [[Conflict Studies Research Centre]], 2002</ref> At that time, the former Soviet armed forces in the [[Ukrainian SSR]] included the [[43rd Rocket Army]], the [[5th Air Army|5th]], [[14th Air Army|14th]] [[17th Air Army|17th]] and [[24th Air Army|24th Air Armies]] of the [[Soviet Air Forces]], an air-defense army ([[8th Air Defence Army]]), three regular armies, two tank armies, the [[32nd Army Corps (Soviet Union)|32nd Army Corps]], and the [[Black Sea Fleet]].<ref>[http://vijsko.milua.org/i4.htm Стан Збройних Сил України на момент створення (Status of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the time of creation)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531092727/http://vijsko.milua.org/i4.htm |date=2012-05-31 }}. Ukrainian Military in 20–21st centuries.</ref> Altogether the Armed Forces of Ukraine included about 780,000 personnel, 6,500 battle tanks,{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}} about 7,000 armored vehicles, 1,500 combat [[aircraft]], and more than 350 ships of the former Soviet Navy. Along with their equipment and personnel, Ukraine's armed forces inherited the battle honors and lineage of the Soviet military forces stationed in Ukraine, as well as [[Guards unit]] titles for many formations. However, due to the deterioration of Russian-Ukrainian relations and the continued stigma of being associated with the Soviet Union, in 2015 President [[Petro Poroshenko|Poroshenko]] ordered the removal of most of the citations awarded during the Soviet era to formations of the Armed Forces and other uniformed organizations.<ref name=Ukaz646>{{cite web|url= http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568|script-title=uk:УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №646/2015|publisher= Official website of the President of Ukraine|access-date= 2017-06-15|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160831090416/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/6462015-19568|archive-date= 2016-08-31|url-status= live}}</ref>

In February 1991, a parliamentary Standing Commission for Questions of Security and Defense was established. On 24 August 1991, the Ukrainian parliament (the [[Verkhovna Rada]]), in adopting the [[Declaration of Independence of Ukraine]], also enacted a short resolution "About military formations in Ukraine".<ref>Law of Ukraine N 1431-XII. "[http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1431-12 About military formations of Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302202649/http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1431-12 |date=2014-03-02 }}". [[Verkhovna Rada]]. August 24, 1991.</ref> This took jurisdiction over all formations of the armed forces of the Soviet Union stationed on Ukrainian soil and established one of the key agencies, the [[Ministry of Defense (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Ministry of Defense]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=history&sub=history|title= Міністерство|access-date= 2008-05-07|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071015192107/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=history&sub=history|archive-date= 2007-10-15|url-status= live}}</ref> On 3 September 1991, the Ministry of Defence commenced its duties. On 22 October 1991 units and formations of the Soviet Armed Forces on Ukrainian soil were nationalized.<ref>James Sherr, DEFENCE & SECURITY REFORM IN UKRAINE: A FRESH START? (''Survival'', Spring 2001)</ref> Subsequently, the Supreme Council of Ukraine adopted two Laws of Ukraine on 6 December 1991 regarding the creation of the Armed Forces (this is marked as Armed Forces Day),<ref>[http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1932-12 Official document] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215191800/http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1932-12 |date=2013-02-15 }}. Law of Ukraine "About Defense of Ukraine". December 6, 1991</ref><ref>[http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1934-12 Official document] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309010758/http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1934-12 |date=2013-03-09 }}. Law of Ukraine "About Armed Forces of Ukraine. December 6, 1991</ref> and Presidential Decree #4 "About Armed Forces of Ukraine" on 12 December 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4/91|title= Про Збройні Сили України – від 12 December 1991 № 4|website= zakon4.rada.gov.ua|access-date= 28 January 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140302202536/http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4/91|archive-date= 2 March 2014|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}}</ref> The government of Ukraine surrendered any rights of succession to the Soviet Strategic Deterrence Forces<ref>[http://encyclopedia.mil.ru/encyclopedia/dictionary/details_rvsn.htm?id=14378@morfDictionary Strategic Deterrence Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213433/http://encyclopedia.mil.ru/encyclopedia/dictionary/details_rvsn.htm?id=14378@morfDictionary |date=2016-02-04 }} at encyclopedia.mil.ru</ref> (see [[Strategic Missile Troops]]) that were staged on the territory of Ukraine. Recognizing the complications of a smooth transition and seeking a consensus with other former members of the Soviet Union in dividing up their Soviet military inheritance, Ukraine joined ongoing talks that started in December 1991<ref>{{cite web|url= http://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby/mdogov/megd4608.htm|title= Соглашение о Силах общего назначения на переходный период – Международные договоры|website= pravo.levonevsky.org|access-date= 2013-01-28|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130512044748/http://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby/mdogov/megd4608.htm|archive-date= 2013-05-12|url-status= live}}</ref> regarding a [[:ru:Объединённые Вооружённые Силы СНГ|joint military command]] of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lawrussia.ru/texts/legal_383/doc383a830x976.htm|title= СОГЛАШЕНИЕ ОБ ОБЪЕДИНЕННЫХ ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛАХ НА ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ПЕРИОД (КИЕВ, 20.03.92)|website= lawrussia.ru|access-date= 2013-01-28|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130730163948/http://www.lawrussia.ru/texts/legal_383/doc383a830x976.htm|archive-date= 2013-07-30|url-status= dead}}</ref>

Inherent in the process of creating a domestic military were political decisions by the Ukrainian leadership regarding the country's non-nuclear and international status. Among these were the definition, agreement, and ratification of the 1990 [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]] (CFE), which not only established the maximum level of armament for each republic of the former USSR, but also a special ceiling for the so-called CFE "Flank Region" – included in this region were Ukraine's [[Mykolaiv Oblast|Mykolaiv]], [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]] and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia]] oblasts, and the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]]. Another key event in the development of the Ukrainian military was the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization|1992 Tashkent Treaty]], which laid out aspirations for a Commonwealth of Independent States military. However, this collective military proved impossible to develop because the former republics of the USSR all wished to go their own way, ripping the intricate Soviet military machine into pieces.

Ukraine had observer status with the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] of nation-states from 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title = NAM Background Information |url = http://www.nam.gov.za/background/background.htm#4.2 |website = www.nam.gov.za |access-date = 2016-02-09 |archive-date = 9 February 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160209210107/http://www.nam.gov.za/background/background.htm}}</ref> However, due to the [[2014 Russian aggression against Ukraine]], the [[Verkhovna Rada]] repealed this status in December 2014.<ref>
{{Cite news
 | url = http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241359.html
 | title = Ukraine abolishes its non-aligned status – law
 | date = 23 December 2014
 | work = [[Interfax Ukraine]]
 | access-date = 9 February 2016
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141224003612/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241359.html
 | archive-date = 24 December 2014
}}
</ref>

===List of the Soviet military formations on territory of Ukraine in 1989-1991===
* Ground forces Military Districts 3/14: Kiev, Carpathian, Odessa
** Combined-arms armies (3/21): 1st Guards Army (25th Guard MR division, 47th MR division, 72nd Guards MR division, 41st Guards T division), 13th Army (24th MR division, 51st Guards MR division, <del>83rd Guards MR division</del>, 97th Guards MR division, 161st MR division), 38th Army (17th Guards MR division, 70th Guards MR division, 128th Guards MR division), 14th Guards Army (partially) (''all armies were honored by the Soviet Red Banner award'')
** Army corps (2/18): 32nd Army Corps (126th MR division, 157th MR division), <del>64th Army Corps</del> (disbanded in 1989)
*** Motor-Rifle divisions (19/131): 28th Guards MR division, 36th MR division, <del>46th MR division</del> (disbanded in 1989), 66th Guards Training MR division, 92nd Guards Training MR division, 180th MR division
*** Air-borne divisions (8): 98th Guards A/b division (partially, moved to Kostroma)
** Artillery corps (1/1): 66th Artillery Corps
*** Artillery divisions (3/11): 26th A division, 55th A division, 81st A division
** Tank armies (2/6): 6th Guards Army (17th Guards T division, 42nd Guards T division, 75th Guards Heavy T division), 8th Army (23rd Training T division, 30th Guards T division) (''all armies were honored by the Soviet Red Banner award'')
*** Tank divisions (8/49): 48th Guards Training T division, 117th Guards Training T division
* Air Force armies (4/18): 5th Air Army (119th Aviation Fighter division, partially), 14th Air Army (4th Aviation Fighter division, 289th Bomber Aviation division), 17th Air Army, 24th Air Army of the Central Command Reserve (32nd Bomber Aviation division, 56th Bomber Aviation division, 138th Aviation Fighter division), 46th Air Army of the Commander-in-Chief (partially, 13th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation division, 15th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation division, 106th Heavy Bomber Aviation division)
*** Air Force divisions (10/47): 6th Guards Aviation Transport division, 7th Aviation Transport division, *201st Heavy Bomber Aviation division (partially)
* Separate armies of the Air Defense Troops (1/11): 8th Army (1st division, 9th division)
** Air Defense corps (3/23): 28th Air Defense Corps, 49th Air Defense Corps, 60th Air Defense Corps
*** AD divisions (2/16)
* Rocket armies (1/6): 43rd Army (19th R division, 37th Guards R division, 43rd Guards R division, <del>44th R division</del>, 46th R division)
*** Rocket divisions (5/34)
----
** Railroad troops (1/5): 2nd Railroad Corps

=== Arms control and disarmament ===
[[File:TU-22 scrapyard.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Tu-22M]] being dismantled through assistance provided by the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program implemented by the [[Defense Threat Reduction Agency|DTRA]], 2002]]

{{See also|Nuclear weapons and Ukraine}}

Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine inherited two divisions of the [[Strategic Rocket Forces]]' [[43rd Rocket Army]] (HQ [[Vinnytsia]]): 
*the 19th Rocket Division ([[Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine|Khmelnytskyi]]) (90 [[UR-100N]]/SS-19/RS-18) and 
*the [[46th Rocket Division]] at [[Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast]], equipped with 40 SS-19 and 46 silo-mounted [[RT-23 Molodets]]/SS-24s.<ref>Source old early 1990s notes, but corroboration available for example at [http://www.traveltoukraine.org/Ukraine_secret_sites.htm traveltoukraine.org and Feskov et al. 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412083546/http://www.traveltoukraine.org/Ukraine_secret_sites.htm |date=2008-04-12 }}</ref> 
While Ukraine had physical control of these systems, it did not have operational control. The use of the weapons depended on Russian-controlled electronic [[Permissive Action Link]]s and the Russian command and control system.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNanc3lYUsQC |chapter=Why Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons : nonproliferation incentives and disincentives |author=William C. Martel |pages=88–104 |title=Pulling Back from the Nuclear Brink: Reducing and Countering Nuclear Threats |editor=Barry R. Schneider, William L. Dowdy |publisher=Psychology Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7146-4856-9 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213432/https://books.google.com/books?id=MNanc3lYUsQC |archive-date=4 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="pikayev-1994">{{cite journal |url=http://cns.miis.edu/npr/pdfs/pikaye13.pdf |title=Post-Soviet Russia and Ukraine: Who can push the Button? |author=Alexander A. Pikayev |journal=The Nonproliferation Review |volume=1 (Spring–Summer) |issue=3 |pages=31–46 |date=1994 |doi=10.1080/10736709408436550 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521083227/http://cns.miis.edu/npr/pdfs/pikaye13.pdf |archive-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:SS20 irbm.jpg|thumb|left|An [[SS-20]] on display at the [[National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War|World War II Museum in Kyiv]]]]

Ukraine voluntarily gave up these and all other nuclear weapons during the early 1990s. This was the first time in history that a country voluntarily gave up the use of strategic nuclear weapons, although [[South Africa]] was dismantling its small tactical nuclear weapons program at about the same time.

Ukraine had plentiful amounts of highly [[enriched uranium]], which the United States wanted to buy from the [[Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology]]. Ukraine also had two [[uranium]] mining and processing factories, a [[heavy water]] plant and technology for determining the [[isotope|isotopic]] composition of [[Nuclear fission|fissionable]] materials. Ukraine possessed deposits of uranium that were among the world's richest. In May 1992, Ukraine signed the [[START I|Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty]] (START I), in which the country agreed to give up all [[nuclear weapon]]s and to join the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] as a non-nuclear weapon state. Ukraine ratified the treaty in 1994, and as of 1 January 1996, no military nuclear equipment or materials remained on Ukrainian territory nor even were operated by the AFU.

On 13 May 1994, the United States and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Transfer of Missile Equipment and Technology. This agreement committed Ukraine to the [[Missile Technology Control Regime]] F(MTCR) by controlling [[exports]] of [[missile]]-related equipment and technology according to the MTCR Guidelines.

Ukraine and [[NATO]] estimate that 2.5 million tons of conventional ammunition were left in Ukraine as the Soviet military withdrew, as well as more than 7 million rifles, pistols, mortars, and machine guns. The surplus weapons and ammunition were stored in over 180 military bases, including in bunkers, salt mines and in the open.<ref name="nyt-20050716">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/16/international/europe/16ammo.html |title=Ill-Secured Soviet Arms Depots Tempting Rebels and Terrorists |author=C. J. Chivers |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2005 |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214124434/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/16/international/europe/16ammo.html |archive-date=14 December 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of 2014, much of this surplus had not been scrapped.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1252613/ukraine-militia-controls-a-million-weapons |title=Ukraine: Militia Controls A Million Weapons |author=Stuart Ramsay |newspaper=Sky News |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503034729/http://news.sky.com/story/1252613/ukraine-militia-controls-a-million-weapons |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://defensetech.org/2012/06/05/tanks-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see/ |title=Soviet Tanks As Far As The Eye Can See |author=John Reed |newspaper=Defense Tech |date=5 June 2012 |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901171341/http://defensetech.org/2012/06/05/tanks-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see/ |archive-date=1 September 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
[[File:Ukrainian Navy 1st Company Marine.jpg|left|thumb|Marine of the [[Ukrainian Marine Corps]] in a [[military exercise]] in Scotland, 2003]]

=== Attempt at reforms and constant fund shortages ===
Ukraine's first military reforms began in December 1996, with the adoption of a new "State Program for the Building and Development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". One aspect of it was to shrink the standard combat unit from division size to brigade size, which would then fall under the command of one of the three newly created military districts:
* the [[Operation Command West|Western Operational Command]], 
* the [[Southern Operational Command]], and the largest 
* the [[Operation Command North|Northern Operational/Territorial Command]].<ref>Wolchik, p.75, 91, original newspaper sources include Kyivska Pravda, 10 November 1992, in FBIS-SOV, 2 December 1992, 18, and [http://na.mil.gov.ua/ ''Narodna Armiia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023050800/http://na.mil.gov.ua/ |date=2012-10-23 }}, 18 January 1997.</ref> Only Ukraine's [[1st Airmobile Division (Ukraine)|1st Airmobile Division]] was not downsized. This downsizing occurred purely for financial reasons, with the Ukrainian economy in recession this was a way to shrink the government (defense) expenditure and at the same time to release hundreds of thousands of young people into the private sector to stimulate growth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?page=3|title=GDP growth (annual %)|work=The World Bank|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205024/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?page=3|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> During this time Ukraine's [[military-industrial complex]] also began to develop new indigenous weapons for the armed forces like the [[T-84]] tank, the [[BMP-1]]U, the [[BTR-3]], [[KrAZ-6322]], and the [[Antonov An-70]]. All these reforms were championed by [[Leonid Kuchma]], the second President of Ukraine, who wanted to retain a capable military and a functioning military-industrial complex on the basis of a mistrust for Russia, stating once "The threat of [[Russification]] is a real concern for us".<ref>Kuzio Taras, p.457, Praeger Security International, [https://books.google.com/books?id=CqXACQAAQBAJ&dq=ukraine+armed+forces+in+1990s&pg=PA464 ''Ukraine: Democratization, Corruption, and the New Russian Imperialism''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321045855/https://books.google.com/books?id=CqXACQAAQBAJ&pg=PA464&lpg=PA464&dq=ukraine+armed+forces+in+1990s&source=bl&ots=p9l3YPqJMg&sig=UvMIaCONN3TL6hklRt0R_jyBS_E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHsfruhPTKAhVGw2MKHWZqDrkQ6AEIajAM#v=onepage&q=ukraine%20armed%20forces%20in%201990s&f=false |date=2017-03-21 }}, 2015.</ref>

The cancellation of the modernization program left a question of how to provide jobs in the military industrial complex which then comprised a double-digit percentage of the GDP. Export of new and modernized weapons on the world's arms markets was settled on as the best option, where Ukraine both tried to undercut the contracts of the Russian arms industry – offering the same service for a cheaper price, and was willing to sell equipment to whoever was willing to pay (more than once to politically unstable or even aggressive regimes), causing negative reactions from both [[Western Europe]] and the [[United States federal government]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2002/09/20020925141643jthomas@pd.state.gov7.893008e-02.html#axzz43xckFL5r| title=TU.S. Suspends Some Aid to Ukraine Over Kolchuga Sale to Iraq| work=IIP Digital| date=24 September 2002| access-date=25 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406130605/http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2002/09/20020925141643jthomas@pd.state.gov7.893008e-02.html#axzz43xckFL5r| archive-date=6 April 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> During this time 320 [[T-80]] tanks were sold to [[Pakistan]] and an unfinished Soviet aircraft carrier the [[Russian cruiser Varyag (1983)|Varyag]], today known as the [[Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681755/how-xu-zengping-became-middleman-chinas-deal-buy-liaoning| title=The inside story of the Liaoning: how Xu Zengping sealed deal for China's first aircraft carrier| author=Minnie Chan| work=[[South China Morning Post]]| date=19 January 2015| access-date=25 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322174406/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1681755/how-xu-zengping-became-middleman-chinas-deal-buy-liaoning| archive-date=22 March 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Though the military was well-equipped, it still experienced lack of funds particularly for training and exercises, which led to a number of incidents. In one. the [[Siberia Airlines Flight 1812]] of 2001 and the [[Sknyliv airshow disaster]] of 2002, but the military's effectiveness was demonstrated in the [[2003 Tuzla Island conflict|Tuzla Island Conflict]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
{{Ukrainian Armed forces}}
[[File:U.S., Partner Nations Train During Rapid Trident 2011 (6007713721).jpg|left|thumb|[[Ukrainian Airmobile|Ukrainian Airmobile Forces]] in 2011]]
Ukrainian military tactics and organization heavily depended on [[Cold War]] tactics and former [[Soviet Armed Forces]] organization.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Under former President Yushchenko, Ukraine pursued a policy of independence from Russian dominance, and thus tried to fully integrate with the West, specifically NATO.
[[File:U.S., Partner Nations Train During Rapid Trident 2011 (6007716789).jpg|left|thumb|Ukrainian soldiers talking with a [[US Army]] soldier during the Rapid Trident 2011 [[military exercise]]]]
Until the Euromaidan crisis of 2014, Ukraine retained tight military relations with [[Russia]], inherited from their common Soviet history. Common uses for naval bases in the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Crimea]] and joint [[air defense]] efforts were the most intense cooperative efforts. This cooperation was a permanent irritant in bilateral relations, but Ukraine appeared economically dependent on Moscow, and thus unable to break such ties quickly. After the election of President [[Viktor Yanukovych]], ties between Moscow and Kyiv warmed, and those between Kyiv and NATO cooled, relative to the Yushchenko years.

=== Russo-Ukrainian War (2014 – present) ===
[[File:Anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine (28137543322).jpg|thumb|T-64BMs in Eastern Ukraine]]
{{Main|Russo-Ukrainian War|Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas}}

In March 2014, following the [[Revolution of Dignity]] and the [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], the government of Ukraine announced a new military service, the [[National Guard of Ukraine]]. Previously, a National Guard had existed up to 2000, so the 2014 NG was a reformation of the one raised in 1991, but this time formed part of the [[Internal Troops of Ukraine]].

In May 2014, when Russian aggression started in the eastern regions, a helicopter with 14 soldiers on board, including General [[Serhii Kulchytskyi|Serhiy Kulchytskiy]], who headed combat and special training for the country's National Guard, was brought down by militants near [[Sloviansk]] in East Ukraine. Outgoing President Oleksandr Turchynov described the downing as a "terrorist attack," and blamed pro-Russian militants.<ref name="HelicopterDowning">{{cite news|title=General, 13 soldiers killed as militants down military helicopter|url=http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/222436237/scat/723971d98160d438/ht/General-13-soldiers-killed-as-militants-down-military-helicopter|access-date=29 May 2014|publisher=Russia Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531092102/http://www.russiaherald.com/index.php/sid/222436237/scat/723971d98160d438/ht/General-13-soldiers-killed-as-militants-down-military-helicopter|archive-date=31 May 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In the early months of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Armed Forces were widely criticised for their poor equipment and inept leadership, forcing Internal Affairs Ministry forces like the [[National Guard of Ukraine|National Guard]] and the [[Territorial defence battalion (Ukraine)|territorial defence battalions]] to take on the brunt of the fighting in the first months of the war.<ref name="KP23215b">{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/abandoned-donbas-battalion-fights-on-361886.html |title=Abandoned Donbas Battalion fights on |work=Kyiv Post |date=24 August 2014 |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825135333/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/abandoned-donbas-battalion-fights-on-361886.html |archive-date=25 August 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="NR9MAYb">{{cite news |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117710/ukraines-army-small-sovietized-underfunded-and-poorly-trained |title=Why is Ukraine's Army So Appallingly Bad? |magazine=The New Republic |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=20 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704053656/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117710/ukraines-army-small-sovietized-underfunded-and-poorly-trained |archive-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In late July 2015, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry revealed the new Ukrainian Armed Forces uniform designs, and later a revised rank insignia system was created.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.unian.info/war/1105338-ukraines-defense-ministry-presents-new-military-uniform.html|title=Ukraine's Defense Ministry presents new military uniform|date=27 July 2015|work=[[UNIAN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302214406/http://www.unian.info/war/1105338-ukraines-defense-ministry-presents-new-military-uniform.html|archive-date=2 March 2016|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref> These made their national debut on 24 August 2016, at the National Independence Day Silver Jubilee parade in Independence Square, [[Kyiv]].

From the early 1990s, the Armed Forces had numerous units and formations with [[Soviet Armed Forces]] decorations dating back to the Second World War or earlier. Due to the [[Decommunization in Ukraine|decommunization process in Ukraine]], all these decorations were removed from unit titles and regimental colours by 15 November 2015 to cease promotion and glorification of the Soviet symbols.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.istpravda.com.ua/short/2015/11/21/148742/|title=З назв військових частин прибрали радянські відзнаки. СПИСОК|work=Історична правда|accessdate=2018-08-13|archive-date=2018-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812133307/http://www.istpravda.com.ua/short/2015/11/21/148742/}}; {{Cite web|url=http://universum.lviv.ua/magazines/universum/2016/4/desov.html|title=Десовєтизація Збройних сил України як чинник творення національного війська в Україні :: 7–8 (273–274), 2016 :: Універсум :: Universum|website=universum.lviv.ua|language=uk-UA|accessdate=2018-08-13|archive-date=2018-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814035843/http://universum.lviv.ua/magazines/universum/2016/4/desov.html}}</ref><ref name=Ukaz646 /> Ukraine had retained a number of [[Guards unit]]s, also following a Soviet tradition. A list can be seen at [[List of guards units of Ukraine]]. On 22 August 2016, the "Guards" titles were removed from all unit and formation names.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3442016-20457|title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №344/2016|date=22 August 2016|access-date=17 February 2017|publisher=President of Ukraine|language=uk|trans-title=Ukaz of the President of Ukraine No. 344/2016|archive-date=17 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117180759/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3442016-20457|url-status=live}}</ref> Only one brigade, the 51st, a former Guards unit, had been dissolved the year before.

By February 2018, the Ukrainian armed forces were larger and better equipped than ever before, numbering 200,000 active-service military personnel and most of the volunteer soldiers of the territorial defence battalions had been integrated into the official Ukrainian army.<ref>[https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/02/22/ukraine-s-toughest-fight-challenge-of-military-reform-pub-75609 Ukraine's Toughest Fight: The Challenge of Military Reform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014204/https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/02/22/ukraine-s-toughest-fight-challenge-of-military-reform-pub-75609 |date=2018-10-03 }}, [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]] (FEBRUARY 22, 2018)</ref>

In late 2017-early 2018 the [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] reported that human rights abuses allegedly committed by Ukrainian security forces and armed groups remained an ongoing issue of the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]] that erupted in 2014. The nature of the alleged crimes ranged from unlawful or arbitrary detention to torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence. Within the reporting period of 16 November 2017 to 15 February 2018 the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] (OHCHR) monitoring mission documented 115 cases of credible allegations of human rights violations committed by both sides of the conflict since 2014.<ref>[https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/ReportUkraineNov2017-Feb2018_EN.pdf Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine 16 November 2017 to 15 February 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041356/http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/ReportUkraineNov2017-Feb2018_EN.pdf |date=3 May 2018 }}, [[OHCHR]] (page 6)</ref>

On 1 February 2022, the [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]] (TDF) were formed as the new branch of the Armed Forces. The TDF serves as a [[military reserve force]] which is formed by volunteers who are mobilized for local defense.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ponomarenko |first=Illia |date=2022-01-07 |title=Who can and can't join Ukraine's Territorial Defense Force |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/who-can-and-cant-join-ukraines-new-territorial-defense-force |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=The Kyiv Independent |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328094448/https://kyivindependent.com/national/who-can-and-cant-join-ukraines-new-territorial-defense-force/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The branch is an expansion of the old [[Ukrainian territorial defence battalions|territorial defence battalions]] system established in 2014.<ref name=":1" />

=== Ukraine and NATO membership ===
{{Main|Ukraine–NATO relations}}
[[File:Armyinform006.jpg|thumb|right|Operators of the [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)|Special Operations Forces]], an independent branch of the armed forces founded in 2016]]
Ukraine's stated national policy is [[Atlanticism|Euro-Atlantic]] integration, with the [[European Union]]. Ukraine has a "Distinctive Partnership" with NATO (see [[Enlargement of NATO]]) and has been an active participant in [[Partnership for Peace]] exercises and in peacekeeping in the [[Balkan]]s. This close relationship with [[NATO]] has been most apparent in Ukrainian cooperation and combined peacekeeping operations with its neighbor Poland in Kosovo. Ukrainian servicemen also served under NATO command in Iraq, Afghanistan and in [[Operation Active Endeavour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=11248|title=Новини Управління Прес-служби МО<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=2008-02-15|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805053605/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=11248|archive-date=2012-08-05|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ukraine_relations_nato_int">[https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37750.htm "Relations with Ukraine,"] as updated May 10, 2024, [[NATO]], retrieved June 19, 2024</ref>

Former [[President of Ukraine]] [[Viktor Yushchenko]] had asked for Ukrainian membership by early 2008.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7322830.stm Bush to back Ukraine's Nato hopes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305232437/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7322830.stm |date=2014-03-05 }}, [[BBC News]] (April 1, 2008)</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2008/04/080404_ukraine_nato.shtml NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine held off] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202090443/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2008/04/080404_ukraine_nato.shtml |date=2011-02-02 }}, [[BBC]] (April 4, 2008)</ref> During the [[2008 Bucharest summit]], NATO declared that Ukraine could become a member of NATO at Ukraine's discretion and when it met the criteria for accession.<ref name=NATOTAK />

His successor, [[Viktor Yanukovych]], considered the level of co-operation between [[Ukraine–NATO relations|Ukraine and NATO]] sufficient.<ref name=NATOTAK>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/63797/ NATO confirms readiness for Ukraine's joining organization] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419050336/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/63797/ |date=2010-04-19 }}, ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (April 13, 2010)</ref>

Yanukovych, however, opted to keep Ukraine a non-aligned state. This was formalised on June 3, 2010, when the Verkhovna Rada excluded, with 226 votes, the goal of "integration into Euro-Atlantic security and NATO membership" from the country's national security strategy.<ref>[http://euobserver.com/24/30212 Ukraine drops NATO membership bid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101002922/https://euobserver.com/24/30212 |date=1 November 2022 }}, [[EUobserver]] (June 6, 2010)</ref> Amid the [[Euromaidan]] unrest, Yanukovych fled Ukraine in February 2014.<ref name="result of Russia UNR" />

[[File:Міжнародні навчання «Saber Junction-2018» (84) (45085787282).jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Air Assault Forces paratroopers with new modernized equipment]]The interim [[First Yatsenyuk government|Yatsenyuk Government]] which came to power, initially said, with reference to the country's non-aligned status, that it had no plans to join NATO.<ref name=NNUIU29314>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198372.html Deschytsia states new government of Ukraine has no intention to join NATO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215161826/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198372.html |date=2016-02-15 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (29 March 2014)</ref>

However, following the Russo-Ukrainian War and [[2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election|parliamentary elections]] in October 2014, the new government made joining NATO a priority.<ref name="rferl.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-parliament-coalition-agreement/26703123.html|title=New Ukraine Coalition Agreed, Sets NATO As Priority|date=2014-11-22|access-date=2014-11-22|publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121231923/http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-parliament-coalition-agreement/26703123.html|archive-date=2014-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 December 2014, the Verkhovna Rada renounced Ukraine's [[Neutral country|non-aligned status]]<ref name="result of Russia UNR">[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Poroshenko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060210/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html |date=2016-03-04 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (23 December 2014)</ref><ref name=wsjends>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226 Ukraine Ends 'Nonaligned' Status, Earning Quick Rebuke From Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304222433/http://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226 |date=2016-03-04 }}, [[The Wall Street journal]] (23 December 2014)</ref> that "proved to be ineffective in guaranteeing Ukraine's security and protecting the country from external aggression and pressure".<ref name="Xinhua 2014-12-24">[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/europe/2014-12/24/c_133876007.htm Spotlight: Scrapping non-aligned status paves Ukraine's way to NATO, fuels Russia's wrath] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406194902/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/europe/2014-12/24/c_133876007.htm |date=2015-04-06 }}. [[Xinhua News Agency]]. Published on 2014-12-24.</ref>

The Ukrainian military is since transforming to [[Standardization Agreement|NATO standards]].<ref name=iuyswbn /> [[Prime Minister of Ukraine]] [[Arseniy Yatsenyuk]] stated early February 2016 that ''de facto'' the Armed Forces must, soon as possible, begin its transition for Ukrainian entry into NATO and towards NATO-capable armed forces.<ref name=iuyswbn>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/323978.html Yatseniuk: Ukrainian army to switch to contract service, de facto become part of NATO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212083309/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/323978.html |date=2016-02-12 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (11 February 2016)</ref>

During the Russian buildup on the border in 2021, President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] made a renewed call to Western powers for NATO membership, but was ultimately unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ukrainian leader calls for revamp of peace process to end Donbas war|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ed40d675-16b3-4a35-a157-b9bf0078b507|access-date=2021-04-27|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|date=26 April 2021|last1=Hall|first1=Ben|archive-date=28 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428025100/https://www.ft.com/content/ed40d675-16b3-4a35-a157-b9bf0078b507|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Volodymyr Zelensky 2019 presidential inauguration 18.jpg|thumb|President [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] with the senior leadership of the Ukrainian military in May 2019]]
However, following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO [[military logistics|military logistical support]], including a wide array of arms and ammunition, was rapidly provided by NATO countries, and continued to the present (mid-2024) -- with commitments for its indefinite continuance—and NATO officials and member states' leaders began to declare that Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO was expected following conclusion of the war.<ref name="join_2023_02_28_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64797212 "Nato boss Jens Stoltenberg says Ukraine to join bloc in 'long term',"] February 28, 2023, [[BBC News]], retrieved June 19, 2024</ref><ref name="future_2023_07_10_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66157625 "Nato summit: Ukraine's future membership to be discussed by leaders in Vilnius,"] July 10, 2023, [[BBC News]], retrieved June 19, 2024</ref><ref name="pledges_2024_04_19_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68857046 "Ukraine war: Nato pledges more advanced air defences to Kyiv,"] April 19, 2024, [[BBC News]],retrieved June 19, 2024</ref><ref name="pledges_2024_06_14_nytimes">[https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/world/europe/ukraine-biden-military-aid.html "Ukraine Welcomes Pledges of More Military Aid With Cautious Optimism,"] June 14, 2024, ''[[New York Times]],'' retrieved June 19, 2024</ref>

In 2023, Ukraine's defense minister, [[Oleksii Reznikov]], described Ukraine as, essentially, a "''[[de facto]]''" member of NATO, with the expectation that "in the near future" Ukraine would become an actual "''[[de jure]]''" member of NATO.<ref name="member_2023_01_13_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64255249 "Ukraine defence minister: We are a de facto member of Nato alliance,"] January 13, 2023, [[BBC News]], retrieved June 19, 2024</ref>

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
{{main|Russian invasion of Ukraine|Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War}}
[[File:Робоча поїздка Президента на Харківщину 21.jpg|thumb|President Zelenskyy awarding a soldier near the front line in the [[Kharkiv Oblast]], 29 May 2022]]
[[File:Συνάντηση με ΥΠΕΞ Ουκρανίας D. Kuleba - Επίσκεψη σε Μνημείο πεσόντων υπερασπιστών Ουκρανίας - 52439597854.jpg|thumb|Monument to Ukrainian soldiers killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022]]
On Thursday, 24 February 2022, the Russian Armed Forces invaded Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Conflict in Ukraine |url=https://cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine |access-date=28 February 2022 |website=Global Conflict Tracker |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223002332/https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> The Ukrainian Armed Forces and its auxiliary and wartime-affiliated organizations, have participated in many of the combat actions of the current conflict. Alongside the combat actions, the influx of Western weapons and materiel to the Armed Forces from NATO member armed forces, [[Post-Soviet states|ex-Soviet]] stock from many Eastern European nations as well as captured Russian tanks, armed vehicles and other weapons<ref>{{cite news |date=5 October 2022 |title=Ukraine's New Offensive Is Fueled by Captured Russian Weapons |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-new-offensive-is-fueled-by-captured-russian-weapons-11664965264 |access-date=10 October 2022 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006005202/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-new-offensive-is-fueled-by-captured-russian-weapons-11664965264 |url-status=live }}</ref> have also resulted in an ongoing modernization and expansion of the forces at large.

{{as of|2010}} the total personnel was 200,000 (including 41,000 civilian workers).<ref>{{cite web |title = Ukrainian Armed Forces 2009|page = 78|url = http://www.operationspaix.net/DATA/DOCUMENT/3081~v~White_Book_2009_-_Armed_Forces_of_Ukraine.pdf|access-date = 22 October 2010<!--, 2010-->|archive-date = 9 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160209211820/http://www.operationspaix.net/DATA/DOCUMENT/3081~v~White_Book_2009_-_Armed_Forces_of_Ukraine.pdf}}</ref> Conscription was stopped in October 2013;<ref name="upi.com" /> at that time the Ukrainian armed forces were made up of 40% [[conscripts]] and 60% contract soldiers.<ref name="upi.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/10/03/Ukraine-to-end-military-conscription-after-autumn-call-ups/UPI-95521380772920/|title=Ukraine to end military conscription after autumn call-ups|access-date=2014-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210024104/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/10/03/Ukraine-to-end-military-conscription-after-autumn-call-ups/UPI-95521380772920|archive-date=2014-02-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Acting President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] reinstated conscription in May 2014.<ref name=consback>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27247428 Ukraine reinstates conscription as crisis deepens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821133617/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27247428 |date=2018-08-21 }}, [[BBC News]] (1 May 2014)</ref>

In early 2014, Ukraine had 130,000 personnel in its armed forces, which could be boosted to about one million with reservists.<ref name=consback />{{Update inline|date=March 2022}}

There were a reported total of 250,800 personnel in the Armed Forces in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title = Ukraine battles persist before cease-fire deadline; 25 dead|url = https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/13/ukraine-battles-persist-ahead-cease-fire-deadline/|access-date = 2016-02-13|newspaper = [[The Washington Times]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151226130136/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/13/ukraine-battles-persist-ahead-cease-fire-deadline/|archive-date = 2015-12-26|url-status = live}}</ref> In July 2022, Defense Minister [[Oleksii Reznikov]] stated that the Armed Forces had an active strength of 700,000; Reznikov also mentioned that with the Border Guard, National Guard, and police added, the total comes to around one million.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-10 |title=Ukraine has one million ready for fightback to recapture south {{!}} Worl… |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-has-one-million-ready-for-fightback-to-recapture-south-3rhkrhstf |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220710213957/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-has-one-million-ready-for-fightback-to-recapture-south-3rhkrhstf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2022-07-10 |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=archive.ph}}</ref>

Following the [[Revolution of Dignity]], Ukraine adopted a [[military doctrine]] focusing on defense against Russia and announced Ukraine's intentions for closer relations with [[NATO]] armed services, most especially if it joins the organization in the future.<ref>[http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5552015-19443 Ukase of the President of Ukraine #555/2015: About decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of 2 September 2015 "About new edition of the Ukrainian military doctrine" (УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №555/2015: Про рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України від 2 вересня 2015 року "Про нову редакцію Воєнної доктрини України")] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704003953/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5552015-19443 |date=4 July 2017 }}. [[President of Ukraine]].</ref>

In June 2022, [[Davyd Arakhamia]], Ukraine's chief negotiator with Russia, told ''Axios'' that between 200 and 500 Ukrainian soldiers were [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War|killed every day]] during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine suffering up to 1,000 casualties per day in Donbas, official says |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/15/ukraine-1000-casualties-day-donbas-arakhamia |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=15 June 2022}}</ref> In August 2023, ''The New York Times'' quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying that up to 70,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed and 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.<ref>{{cite news |title=Troop Deaths and Injuries in Ukraine War Near 500,000, U.S. Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/us/politics/ukraine-russia-war-casualties.html |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russia suffers massive losses in Ukraine, but effect on Kremlin policy unclear |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-suffers-massive-losses-in-ukraine-but-effect-on-kremlin-policy-unclear/7681161.html |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=1 July 2024}}</ref> In April 2024, President Zelenskyy signed a new [[Mobilization in Ukraine|mobilization]] law to increase the number of troops.<ref>{{cite news |title='Everyone will fight.' Ukrainian men weigh their options as new draft law comes into effect |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/25/europe/ukraine-draft-law-conscription-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=25 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mobilization in Ukraine ramps up as new law comes into effect, Zelensky says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/mobilization-in-ukraine-ramps-up-after-law-was-passed-zelensky-says/ |work=The Kyiv Independent |date=31 May 2024}}</ref>

== Structure ==
{{main|Structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine}}

The law 'On the Foundations of National Resistance'<ref>{{Cite web|title=Про основи національного спротиву|url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/1702-20|access-date=2022-01-29|website=zakon.rada.gov.ua|language=uk|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116154515/https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1702-20|url-status=live}}</ref> establishes the following structure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces:
[[File:Final rehearsal of the parade. Joint photo with participants of the "Army Parade" on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine.jpg|thumb|Army Parade on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine (2018)]]

* '''[[General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]]'''
* Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
* services of the UAF
** [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]]
** [[Ukrainian Air Force|Air Force]]
** [[Ukrainian Navy|Navy]]
* separate branches of the UAF
** [[Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)|Special Operations Forces Command]]
** [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Command]]
** Logistical Forces Command
** Support Forces Command
** Medical Forces Command
* separate troop arms of the UAF
** [[Ukrainian Air Assault Forces|Air Landing Assault Troops Command]]
** Signals and Cyber-Security Troops Command
* organs of military command and control, formations and units, which are separate from the services, branches and arms

=== Ministry of Defence ===
The following establishments and institutions fall directly under MoD subordination:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Частини, установи, що не належать до видів ЗСУ|url=https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/other-military-units.html|access-date=2022-01-30|archive-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213215200/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/other-military-units.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Structures directly subordinated to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

'''Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Apparatus''', Kyiv

* Main Intelligence Directorate
* Security Service of the MoD
* Main Inspection
* Defence Policies Directorate
* Defence Information Policies and Strategic Communications Directorate
* Military Education and Science Department
* Military Technical Policies, Development and Military Weaponry and Equipment Department
* Internal Audit department
* Military Policies and Strategic Planning Department
* State Purchases and Deliveries of Material Resources Department
* Information Organisation Works and Control Department
* Personnel Policies Department
* International Defence Co-operation Department
* Social and Personnel Policies Support Department
* Financial Department
* Judicial Support Department
* Military Representations Directorate
* Anti-Corruption Directorate
* State Secrets Security Directorate
* Press and Information Directorate
* Physical Culture and Sport Directorate
* Control Measures Coordination Unit
* Mobilization Preparedness Unit
* State Aviation Scientific Development Institute, Kyiv
* State Scientific Test Center of the AFU (MU А4444), Honcharivsk, Chernihiv Oblast
* Central Scientific Research Institute of the AFU (MU А0202), Kyiv
* Central Military Weaponry and Equipment Scientific Research Institute of the AFU (MU А4566), Kyiv
* Scientific Research Center of the Missile and Artillery Troops (MU А????), Sumy, Sumy Oblast
* Scientific Research Center for Humanitarian Matters of the AFU (MU А2350), Kyiv
* Central Directorate for Acquisition and Delivery of Material Supplies of the AFU, Kyiv
* Codification Bureau (MU А2387), Kyiv
* Military Delegations of the MoU

=== Chief of the General Staff ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2024}}
The [[Chief of the General Staff (Ukraine)|Chief of the General Staff]] oversees the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The following units fall under the direct supervision of the General Staff:

'''Apparatus [Office] of the Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine''', Kyiv

'''Office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine''', Kyiv

Units directly subordinated to the General Staff of the AFU:

* Joint Forces Command (MU А0135), Kyiv
* Main Command Center of the AFU (MU А0911), Kyiv
* Back-up Command Center of the AFU (MU А3258), Radomyshl, Zhytomyr Oblast
* 15th Airborne Command and Control Center of the General Staff of the AFU (MU А0905), Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Oblast
* Main Directorate for Moral and Psychological Support of the AFU, Kyiv
* Main Directorate for Military Cooperation and Verification of the AFU, Kyiv
* Central Military Security Directorate, Kyiv
* Directorate for Career Development of NCO Personnel, Kyiv
* 101st Separate Security Brigade of the General Staff ''<nowiki/>'[[Henadii Vorobiov|Colonel-General Henadii Vorobiov]]''' (МУ А0139), Kyiv
* other units and establishments directly under the General Staff of the AFU

Military Educational Establishments and Units (directly under the MoD)

* [[Ivan Chernyakhovsky National Defense University of Ukraine|National Defense University of Ukraine]] ''<nowiki/>'[[Ivan Chernyakhovsky]]''', Kyiv
* [[Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv|Military Institute of the ''Taras Shevchenko'' National University of Kyiv]], Kyiv
* Zhytomyr Military Institute ''<nowiki/>'[[Sergei Korolev]]''', Zhytomyr, Zhytomyr Oblast
** 190th Training Center, Huyva, Zhytomyr Oblast
* [[Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University|Military Judicial Institute of the ''Yaroslav Mudryi'' National Law University]], Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast
* [[Ivan Bohun Military High School|Kyiv Military High School]] ''<nowiki/>'[[Ivan Bohun]]''', Kyiv

=== Ukrainian Ground Forces ===
[[File:IndependenceDayParadeKyiv2016 05.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian T-64BM Bulat]]{{Update section|date=July 2022}}

As of 2016, there were a reported 169,000 personnel in the [[Ukrainian Ground Forces]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/poltorak-postaviv-suhoputni-viyska-za-priklad-reform-v-ukrayini-845555.html|title=Полторак поставив сухопутні війська за приклад реформ в Україні|date=13 December 2016|website=tsn.ua|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164523/https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/poltorak-postaviv-suhoputni-viyska-za-priklad-reform-v-ukrayini-845555.html|archive-date=1 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in massive increases in personnel numbers; Defence Minister Reznikov stated the armed forces had a strength of 700,000 in July 2022, not counting the border guard, national guard, or police.<ref name="auto"/> The Ukrainian Ground Forces are divided into [[Armoured Forces (Ukraine)|Armoured Forces]] and [[Mechanized Infantry (Ukraine)|Mechanized Forces]], [[Ukrainian Army Aviation|Army Aviation]], Army Air Defence and [[Rocket Forces and Artillery (Ukraine)|Rocket and Artillery Troops]]. There are 13 mechanized brigades and two mountain warfare brigades in the Mechanized Forces. Ukraine also has two armoured brigades. There are also seven rocket and artillery brigades. Until 2013, the Ground Forces were divided into three army corps. These were disbanded in 2013 and reorganized as [[Operation Command West]], [[Operation Command North]] and [[Operation Command South]]. [[Operation Command East]] was formed in 2015 to coordinate forces in the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]]. [[File:Sukhoi Su-25 in Ukrainian service 269 n (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ukrainian Su-25]]

=== Air Force ===
{{Excerpt|Ukrainian Air Force}}

=== Naval Service ===
[[File:Українсько-американське навчання “Сі Бриз - 2016” (28075162974).jpg|thumb|The [[Krivak-class frigate|Krivak III-class]] frigate {{ship|Ukrainian frigate|Hetman Sahaydachniy|U130|2}}; the previous flagship of the Ukrainian Navy<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/kozhara-hetman-sahaidachny-frigate-to-join-natos-anti-piracy-operation/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130917123531/http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/kozhara-hetman-sahaidachny-frigate-to-join-natos-anti-piracy-operation/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2013 |title=Kozhara: Hetman Sahaidachny frigate to join NATO's anti-piracy operation |newspaper=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=17 September 2013}}</ref> before being scuttled in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=The Fate of Ukraine's Flagship Frigate |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/03/03/the-fate-of-ukraines-flagship-frigate/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA |archive-date=16 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016181903/https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/03/03/the-fate-of-ukraines-flagship-frigate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

According to a 2015 ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' report, the [[Ukrainian Navy]] consisted of 6,500 servicemen, Marine Corps included at that time.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Ukraine's navy barely recovering from its near-death experience| url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/ukraines-navy-barely-recovering-from-its-near-death-experience-396689.html| access-date=27 August 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827214900/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/ukraines-navy-barely-recovering-from-its-near-death-experience-396689.html| archive-date=27 August 2015| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2023 the President of Ukraine [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] officially announced the separation of the Marine Corps from the Navy and thus declared its independence as a service branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Marine Corps to be created in the Ukrainian Armed Forces| url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/marine-corps-to-be-created-in-the-ukrainian-armed-forces/| access-date=2023-05-26| archive-date=26 May 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526130740/https://mil.in.ua/en/news/marine-corps-to-be-created-in-the-ukrainian-armed-forces/| url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Міжнародні навчання «Saber Junction-2018» (24) (44223012115).jpg|thumb|Air Assault Forces paratroopers]]

=== Air Assault Forces ===
{{Excerpt|Ukrainian Air Assault Forces}}

=== Special Forces ===
{{Excerpt|Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)}}

=== Communications and Cybernetic Security Forces ===
The Communications and Cybernetic Security Troops Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces ([[:uk:Командування Військ зв'язку та кібернетичної безпеки Збройних Сил України|''Командування Військ зв'язку та кібернетичної безпеки Збройних Сил України'']]) is a separate joint forces command under the General Staff since 5 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Кивлюк|first1=Володимир|last2=Лазоренко|first2=Віктор|last3=Ганненко|first3=Юрій|last4=Лаврук|first4=Михайло|date=2021-06-09|title=ПРОБЛЕМИ УПРАВЛІННЯ СИСТЕМОЮ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ВІЙСЬКОВИМ МАЙНОМ ВІЙСЬК (СИЛ) ЗБРОЙНИХ СИЛ УКРАЇНИ ТА ШЛЯХИ ЇХ ВИРІШЕННЯ|journal=Сучасні інформаційні технології у сфері безпеки та оборони|volume=40|issue=1|pages=111–116|doi=10.33099/2311-7249/2021-40-1-111-116|s2cid=236293058|issn=2410-7336|doi-access=free}}</ref>

'''Signals and Cybernetic Security Troops Command''' (MU А0106), Kyiv
* Main Command Post of the Signals and Information Systems (MU А2666), Kyiv
* Main Center for Information and Telecommunications Systems Security Control (MU А0334), Kyiv
* Main Information and Telecommunications Nod (MU А0351), Kyiv
* 1st Separate Field ''<nowiki/>'[[Proskurov-Chernivtsi Offensive|Proskurov]]''' Signals Nod (MU А0565), Kyiv
* 3rd Separate Signals Brigade (MU А0415), {{Interlanguage link|Semipolki|uk|Семиполки|ru|Семиполки}}, Kyiv Oblast
* 8th Separate Signals Regiment (MU А0707), [[Haisyn]], Vinnytsia Oblast
* 330th Central Nod of the Feldjaeger-Postal [Field Courier] Service (MU А0168), Kyiv
* 1899th Central Base for Repair and Overhaul of Special Signals Equipment (MU А0476), Kyiv

training establishments and units

* [[Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies]] (MILTIT) ''<nowiki/>'[[Battle of Kruty|Heroes of Kruty]]''', Kyiv
* Military College for NCO Personnel of the MITIA, Poltava, Poltava Oblast
* 179th Joint Education and Training Center of the Signals Troops (MU А3990), Poltava, Poltava Oblast

under other services and troops

* Signals and Information Systems Center of the Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyiv
* Signals and Information Systems directorates directly reporting to headquarters of AFU service branches

=== Unmanned Systems Forces ===
{{Excerpt|Unmanned Systems Forces}}

=== Support Forces ===
Since 1 January 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Сили підтримки|url=https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/guoz.html|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825092914/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/guoz.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the support forces have the status of a separate joint branch under the General Staff.

'''Support Forces Command''' ([[Military Unit Number]] А2330), Kyiv

* Central Directorate of the Corps of Engineers of Ukraine (MU А0107), Kyiv
** 20th Arsenal of the Corps of Engineers (MU А0543), Olshanytsia, Kyiv Oblast and [[Nizhyn]], Chernihiv Oblast
** 47th Engineer Brigade (MU А2755), [[Dubno]], Rivne Oblast
*** 301st Road Traffic Control Battalion
*** 304th Road Traffic Control Battalion
** 48th Combat Engineer ''<nowiki/>'Kamianets-Podilskaya''' Brigade (MU А2738), [[Kamianets-Podilskyi]], Khmelnytskyi Oblast
*** 11th Pontoon-Bridging Battalion
*** 308th Engineer Technical Battalion
*** 309th Engineer Technical Battalion
*** 310th Engineer Technical Battalion
*** 311th Engineer Technical Battalion
*** 321st Engineer Battalion
** 70th Support Regiment (MU А0853), [[Bar, Ukraine|Bar]], Vinnytsia Oblast
** 107th Road Maintenance Center (MU А1519), Dubno, Rivne Oblast
** 808th Support Regiment (MU А3955), [[Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi]], Odesa Oblast Oblast
** 3046th Central Base for Engineer Ammunitions (MU А2647), [[Malynivka, Kharkiv Oblast|Malynivka]], Kharkiv Oblast
** Center for Special Engineering Works (MU А1333), Kyiv
* Central Directorate of the [[CBRN defense|Nuclear, Biological, Chemical]] Defence Troops of the AFU (MU А0108), Kyiv
** CBRN Surveillance and Analysis Center, Kyiv
** [[704th Regiment of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection]] (MU А0807), Sambir village, Lviv Oblast
** 536th Central Base for Repair and Maintenance of CBRN Defence Equipment (MU А0312), Seleshtina-1, Poltava Oblast
* Central Directorate of the Radio-Electronic Warfare Corps of Ukraine (MU А0159), Kyiv
** 55th Special EW Center (MU А0766), Kyiv and [[Brovary]], Kyiv Oblast
* Central Directorate for Military Topography and Navigation of the Armed Forces (MU А0115), Kyiv
** 8th Publishing Center of the UAF (MU А0602), Kyiv
** 13th Photogrammetric Center (MU А3674), Odesa, Odesa Oblast
** 16th Planning Center for Navigation Support (MU А1423), Kyiv
** 22nd Military Mapping Unit (MU А1121), Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast
** 64th Topography-Geodesic Center (MU А4127), [[Shepetivka]], Khmelnytskyi Oblast
** 161st Topography-Geodesic Center (MU А2308), Chernivtsi, Chernivtsi Oblast
** 115th Mapping Center (MU А3796), Kotsyubynske, Kyiv Oblast
* Hydro-Meteorological Center of the UAF(MU А0204), Kyiv
** Hydro-meteorological units of the ground forces, air force and navy
* Training units
** Joint Education and Training Center of the Support Forces (MU А2641), Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast

=== Logistical Forces ===
Since 1 January 2022,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Сили логістики|date=30 May 2020 |url=https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/logistic-command.html|access-date=2022-01-30|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008202632/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/logistic-command.html|url-status=live}}</ref> support forces have the status of a separate joint branch under the General Staff. The logistical forces are mainly organised in two arms – Armaments and Rear Services.

'''Logistical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine''' (MU А0307), Kyiv

* Command Headquarters
* '''Armed Forces Armaments and Ordnance Service''' (MU А2513)
** Central Support Directorate for Ground Weapons Systems
** Central Support Directorate for Military Equipment
** Central Support Directorate for Weapons of Mass Destruction
** Central Missile Systems and Field and Air Defense Artillery Directorate of the AFU (MU А0120)
** Central Automobile Directorate of the AFU (MU А0119)
** Central Armoured Directorate of the AFU (MU А0174)
** Department for Metrology and Standardization of the AFU (MU А2187)
** directly reporting military formations of the Armaments Service
* '''Rear Services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine''' (MU А2516)
** Central Support Directorate for Fuel and Lubricants (MU А0125)
** Central Support Directorate for Food Supply of the AFU (MU А0126)
** Central Support Directorate for Material Support of the AFU (MU А0127)
** Central Support Directorate for Resources Supply
** Central Support Directorate for Technical Equipment and Property
** Central Support Directorate for Engineering and Infrastructure
** Central Signals Directorate of the AFU/Signal Corps of Ukraine (MU А0671)
** military units subordinated to the Rear Services

=== Medical Forces ===
Since January 1, 2022<ref>{{Cite web|title=Медичні сили|date=16 December 2021 |url=https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/medychni-syly.html|access-date=2022-01-30|archive-date=30 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130094515/https://www.ukrmilitary.com/p/medychni-syly.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the support forces have the status of a separate joint branch under the General Staff.

'''Medical Forces Command''' (MU А0928), Kyiv

* National Military Medical Clinical Center ''<nowiki/>'Main Military Clinical Hospital''', Kyiv
** 71st Mobile Military Hospital (MU А0358), Kyiv
** Military Medical Clinical Center for Professional Patology (MU А2923), Irpin, Kyiv Oblast
** Central Dental Policlinic, Kyiv
** Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment ''<nowiki/>'Pushcha-Voditsya''' (MU А1931), Kyiv
* Military Medical Clinical Center of the Central Region (MU А????), Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Oblast
** 59th Mobile Military Hospital (MU А0206), Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Oblast
** 10th Military Hospital (MU А2339), Khmelnytskyi, Khmelnytskyi Oblast
** 409th Military Hospital (MU А1065), Zhytomyr, Zhytomyr Oblast
** 762nd Military Hospital (MU А3122), Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast
** ?th Military Hospital (MU А3267), Starokonstantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast
** 1314th Medical Storage (MU А1603), Balki village, Vinnytsia Oblast
** Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment ''<nowiki/>'Khmelnyk''' (MU А1168), Khmelnyk, Vinnytsia Oblast
* Military Medical Clinical Center of the Southern Region (MU A????), Odesa, Odesa Oblast
** 38th Military Hospital (MU А4615), Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
** 61st Military Hospital (MU А0318), Mariupol, Mariupol Oblast
** 450th Military Hospital (MU А3309), Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast
** 1467th Military Hospital (MU А2428), Mykolaiv, Mykolaiv Oblast
** 1644th Medical Storage (MU А4619), Hrushyvka village, Mykolaiv Oblast
** Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment ''<nowiki/>'Odeskyi''', Odesa, Odesa Oblast
* Military Medical Clinical Center of the Northern Region (MU А3306), Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast
** 65th Mobile Military Hospital (MU А0209), Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast
** 9th Military Hospital (MU А4302), Desna, Chernihiv Oblast
** 387th Garrison Military Hospital (MU А3114), Poltava, Poltava Oblast
** 407th Military Hospital (MU А3120), Chernihiv, Chernihiv Oblast
* Military Medical Clinical Center of the Western Region, Lviv, Lviv Oblast
** 66th Mobile Military Hospital (MU А0233), Lviv, Lviv Oblast
** 376th Military Hospital (MU А1028), Chernivtsi, Chernivtsi Oblast
** 498th Military Hospital (MU А4554), Lutsk, Volyn Oblast
** 1121st Policlinic, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
** 1129th Garrison Military Hospital (MU А1446), Rivne, Rivne Oblast
** 1397th Military Hospital (MU А1047), Mukachevo, Zakarpattia Oblast
** Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment ''<nowiki/>'Truskavetskyi''' (MU А1700), Truskavets, Lviv Oblast
* Central Sanitary Epidemiologic Directorate (MU А2417), Kyiv
** 10th Regional Sanitary Epidemiologic Detachment (MU А0972), Kyiv
** 27th Regional Sanitary Epidemiologic Detachment (MU А4502), Odesa, Odesa Oblast
** 28th Regional Sanitary Epidemiologic Detachment (MU А4520), Lviv, Lviv Oblast
** 108th Regional Sanitary Epidemiologic Detachment (MU А4510), Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast
** 740th Regional Sanitary Epidemiologic Detachment (MU А4516), Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Oblast
* Center for Legal Expertise of the MoD, Kyiv
* 148th Center for Maintenance and Storage of Medical Equipment (MU А0211), Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast
* 149th Center for Maintenance and Storage of Medical Equipment (MU А0503), Berdychiv, Zhytomyr Oblast
* 150th Center for Maintenance and Storage of Medical Equipment (MU А1209), Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia Oblast
* 151st Center for Maintenance and Storage of Medical Equipment (MU А2554), Terentyivka, Poltava Oblast
* 2160th Central Medical Storage (MU А1382), Mankhivka, Cherkasy Oblast
* 4962nd Central Medical Storage (MU А1952), Kyiv

Training establishments and units

* Ukrainian Military Medical Academy, Kyiv

Medical forces under other services and arms

* Medical departments of service branches of the AFU and support formations

=== Military Police ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
The military police (named the [[Military Police (Ukraine)|Military Law Enforcement Service]] of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (''Військова служба правопорядку Збройних Сил України''), abbreviated '''VSP''' (''ВСП'') in Ukrainian) is a special military service outside General Staff control and subordinated directly to the Ministry of Defense.

Administrative structure:

* Main Directorate of the Military Police (MU А0880), Kyiv, and territorial forces:
** Central Directorate (direct responsibility over Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast) (MU А2100), Kyiv
** Western Territorial Directorate (direct responsibility over Lviv Oblast) (MU А0583), Lviv, Lviv Oblast
** Southern Territorial Directorate (direct responsibility over Odesa Oblast) (MU А1495), Odesa, Odesa Oblast
** Eastern Territorial Directorate (direct responsibility over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) (MU А2256), Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

== Personnel ==
=== Education and schools ===
[[File:Independence Day military parade in Kyiv 2017 08.jpg|thumb|Cadets of the [[Ivan Chernyakhovsky National Defense University of Ukraine|NDUU]] marching in the 2017 [[Kyiv Independence Day Parade]]]]
A number of universities have specialized military institutes, such as the Faculty of Military Legal Studies at Kharkiv's [[Yaroslav Mudryi National Law Academy]] of Ukraine. The primary Ukrainian military academies are:
* [[Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Ground Forces Academy]], [[Lviv]]
* [[Nakhimov Higher Naval Institute (Sevastopol)|Admiral Pavel Nakhimov Naval Academy]], [[Sevastopol]]
** transferred to [[Mykolaiv]]
* [[Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University]], [[Kharkiv]]

In addition the [[Ivan Chernyakhovsky National Defense University of Ukraine]] is in [[Kyiv]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nuou.org.ua/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226014025/http://nuou.org.ua/|url-status=dead|title=Official website of National Defense University of Ukraine|archivedate=26 December 2013}}</ref>

The Central Hospital of the Armed Forces is located in [[Kyiv]].<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=uk:Історія центру|url=http://gvkg.kiev.ua/index.php/histori|website=gvkg.kiev.ua|access-date=2016-02-13|language=uk, en|trans-title=History of the Centre|publisher=National Military Main Medical Clinical Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213214415/http://gvkg.kiev.ua/index.php/histori|archive-date=13 February 2016}}</ref>

The armed forces' military high school is located in [[Kyiv]] – the [[Ivan Bohun Military High School]].

=== Contract service ===
In 2017 more than 14 thousand people signed up for contract service with the Armed Forces.<ref name=UA30517 />

For participating in the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]], (in May 2017 7.5 thousand) soldiers on the front line receive an average salary of [[Ukrainian hryvnia|₴]]16,000.<ref name=UA30517 /> The minimum maintenance for a contract soldier is ₴7,000.<ref name=UA30517 />

[[West Ukraine]] supplies the fewest military contractors.<ref name=UA30517>{{in lang|uk}} [http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7145423 The Defense Ministry told which areas of shortage of recruits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608144546/http://pda.pravda.com.ua/news/id_7145423 |date=2017-06-08 }}, [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (30 May 2017)</ref>

===Conscription===
{{Excerpt|Conscription in Ukraine}}

=== Role of women ===
{{Main|Women in the Ukrainian military}}
[[File:Военный парад в честь Дня Независимости Украины Military parade in honor of the Independence Day of Ukraine (44194240712).jpg|thumb|Female military personnel at the [[Kyiv Independence Day Parade]] on 24 August 2018]]
Women have been allowed to serve in combat units since 2016.<ref name=waiUm3616>[http://www.unian.info/society/1451743-war-has-a-female-face.html War has a female face] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804185149/http://www.unian.info/society/1451743-war-has-a-female-face.html |date=2016-08-04 }}, [[UNIAN]] (4 August 2016)</ref> According to Defense Ministry figures early June 2016 some 49,500 women served in and worked in the Ukrainian military; more than 17,000 were military servicewomen, of which more than 2,000 officers.<ref name="waiUm3616" /> In 2020, 58,000 women served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.<ref name="314338158000UAW">[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3143381-fiftyeight-thousand-women-serving-in-ukrainian-army.html Fifty-eight thousand women serving in Ukrainian army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125191313/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3143381-fiftyeight-thousand-women-serving-in-ukrainian-army.html |date=25 January 2021 }}, [[Ukrinform]] (26 November 2020)</ref> By 2024, that number has increased to 62,000, with at least 5,000 of those in combat roles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5hY2FzdC5jb20vcHVibGljL3Nob3dzLzY1ODMwMTJlNzE1ZDUzMDAxNjlkY2RjYg/episode/NjVlYjMyYTcyYTg2MTkwMDE2MmJlZTdl?sa=X&ved=0CCoQz4EHahcKEwjAyJ7oouaEAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQRw | title=Ukraine: The Latest - 'War doesn't have a gender': The evolving role of women in Ukraine's armed forces }}</ref>

Women have also joined the various volunteer [[Territorial defence battalions (Ukraine)|territorial defense battalions]] before the order for women's integration in the armed forces was enacted.<ref name=waiUm3616 /> Women are eligible to be drafted into the military as officers.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ukraine to Call Up Women Over 20 for Armed Forces|url = http://europe.newsweek.com/ukraine-armed-forces-set-call-female-citizens-aged-20-50-new-recruitment-cycle-304276?rx=us|website = Newsweek|date = 4 February 2015|access-date = 2016-02-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161008132731/http://europe.newsweek.com/ukraine-armed-forces-set-call-female-citizens-aged-20-50-new-recruitment-cycle-304276?rx=us|archive-date = 2016-10-08|url-status = live}}</ref> In 2009 women comprised almost 13% of the armed forces (18,000 personnel) but with few females holding high rank (2.9% or 1,202 women).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = UNDP helps Ukrainian Ministry of Defence create new opportunities for women|url = http://www.undp.org.ua/en/media/41-democratic-governance/814-undp-helps-ukrainian-ministry-of-defence-create-new-opportunities-for-women|date = 16 June 2009|access-date = 26 June 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090626102048/http://www.undp.org.ua/en/media/41-democratic-governance/814-undp-helps-ukrainian-ministry-of-defence-create-new-opportunities-for-women|archive-date = 26 June 2009}}</ref> Contractual military service accounted for almost 44% of women. However, this being closely linked to the low salary of such positions: men refuse to serve in these conditions while women accept them.<ref name=":0" />

For the first time in 27 years, a battalion of 120 female military personnel, comprising cadets from the [[Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv|Taras Shevchenko National University Military Institute]] and the [[Military Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technologies]], participated in the Kyiv Independence Day Parade in August 2018.<ref name="Хрещатиком вперше пройде жіночий батальйон">{{citation|title = Хрещатиком вперше пройде жіночий батальйон|url = https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/media-45265237|publisher = BBC|author = Zhanna Bezpyatchuk and Roman Lebed|date = 23 August 2018|access-date = 30 March 2021|archive-date = 30 April 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220430034043/https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/media-45265237|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Meet One of the First 120 Women to Have Marched in Military Parade in Kyiv">{{citation|title = Meet One of the First 120 Women to Have Marched in Military Parade in Kyiv|url = https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/meet-one-of-the-first-120-women-to-have-marched-in-military-parade-in-kyiv|publisher = Hromadske International|author = Anastasia Vlasova|date = 24 August 2018|access-date = 30 March 2021|archive-date = 12 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210612111644/https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/meet-one-of-the-first-120-women-to-have-marched-in-military-parade-in-kyiv|url-status = live}}</ref> Their appearance as they marched along [[Khreshchatyk]] was greeted with loud applause from the spectators.<ref name="Армія - це не тільки чоловіки з автоматами: у параді Незалежності вперше маршував жіночий батальйон">{{citation|title = Армія – це не тільки чоловіки з автоматами: у параді Незалежності вперше маршував жіночий батальйон|url = https://aspi.com.ua/news/syuzheti/armiya-ce-ne-tilki-choloviki-z-avtomatami-u-paradi-nezalezhnosti-vpershe-marshuvav#gsc.tab=0|publisher = Information agency ASPI news|date = 24 August 2018|access-date = 30 March 2021|archive-date = 2 July 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210702085515/https://aspi.com.ua/news/syuzheti/armiya-ce-ne-tilki-choloviki-z-avtomatami-u-paradi-nezalezhnosti-vpershe-marshuvav#gsc.tab=0|url-status = live}}</ref>

In September 2018, legislation was passed to make both women and men equal in the military and law enforcement agencies.<ref name="1stUkrainianFemaleGeneral"/> The following month [[Liudmyla Shuhalei]], the head of the Military Medical Directorate of the [[Security Service of Ukraine]], became Ukraine's first female general.<ref name="1stUkrainianFemaleGeneral">[https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-appoints-its-first-female-general.html Ukraine appoints its first female general] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109015822/https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraine-appoints-its-first-female-general.html |date=9 November 2020 }}, [[Kyiv Post]] (14 October 2018)</ref> Since 2019, the Ivan Bohun Military High School accepts both male and female cadets.
[[Nadiya Savchenko]] is perhaps one of the most well-known female Ukrainian soldiers, and was held as a prisoner in Russia from July 2014 until May 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/defense-team-intends-to-seek-pow-status-for-ukrainian-pilot-savchenko-370987.html|newspaper=Kyiv Post|title=Defense team intends to seek POW status for Ukrainian pilot Savchenko|access-date=2014-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223081925/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/defense-team-intends-to-seek-pow-status-for-ukrainian-pilot-savchenko-370987.html|archive-date=2014-12-23|url-status=live}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36378173 |title=Russia 'frees Ukraine pilot Savchenko in prisoner swap' |date=2016-05-25 |access-date=2016-05-25 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525131556/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36378173 |archive-date=2016-05-25 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28232966 |title= Ukraine conflict: Russia charges pilot over deaths |work= [[BBC News]] |date= 9 July 2014 |access-date= 21 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180305010137/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28232966 |archive-date= 5 March 2018 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

== Paramilitary forces ==
Although not components of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these militarized institutions are supposed to come under the Armed Forces' command during wartime. Such was the case in the 2022 Russian invasion, as these organizations, as stated below, were thus affiliated under Armed Forces command.

*[[National Guard of Ukraine]] ([[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]]): 60,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/commentary/2022/02/26/what-kind-of-resistance-can-ukraine-mount/|title=What kind of resistance can Ukraine mount?|first1=Stephen J.|last1=Flanagan|first2=Marta|last2=Kepe|date=26 February 2022|website=www.defensenews.com}}</ref>
** Special operation formations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, i.e. Omega, Scorpion (nuclear sites security), Tytan, and others. Most of Felidae-named formations (such as Bars, Jaguar, others) along with Berkut were reformed.
* [[State Border Guard Service of Ukraine|Border Guard]]: 42,000 (including 8,000 civilian workers)<ref name="Archived copy">{{Cite web |url=https://www.unian.info/society/1474054-avakov-announces-large-scale-cleansing-among-generals.html |title=Avakov announces large-scale "cleansing" among generals |access-date=2018-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174230/https://www.unian.info/society/1474054-avakov-announces-large-scale-cleansing-among-generals.html |archive-date=2018-08-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Ukrainian Sea Guard]] – the [[coast guard]] within the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
* Various military troops of the [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] (no generic name): 30,000
* Civil Defence Forces ([[State Emergency Service of Ukraine]]): 10,218 (including 668 civilian workers)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/328-14|title=Про загальну структуру і чисельність військ Цивільної оборони|website=zakon.rada.gov.ua}}</ref>
* [[Special Transportation Service of Ukraine]] – (Ministry of Transportation and Communications)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/1449-15|title=Про Державну спеціальну службу транспорту|website=zakon.rada.gov.ua}}</ref>

== Recent operations ==
[[File:Members of the Ukrainian Army’s 19th CBRN-Battalion maintaining decontamination skills in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Arifjan, in KUWAIT on August 3rd 2003.jpg|thumb|Members of the Ukrainian Army's 19th Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Battalion in Kuwait]]
Ukraine has been playing an increasingly larger role in peacekeeping operations. Since 1992, over 30,000 soldiers have taken part in missions in the former Yugoslavia ([[IFOR]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[UNPROFOR]] and [[UNTAES]] in [[Croatia]], [[KFor]] in [[Kosovo]]), the Middle East ([[Southern Lebanon]], [[Kuwait]], [[Iraq]]), and Africa ([[Angola]], [[Sierra Leone]], [[Liberia]]).<ref name="UP" />
[[File:Миротворчі місії України.png|thumb|left|Deployments outside Ukraine since 1991]]
Ukrainian troops—as part of the former Soviet Armed Forces contingent—participated in [[UNPROFOR]] in 1992, and in the summer of that year were involved into the civil war in [[Yugoslavia]]. On 3 July 1992, the [[Verkhovna Rada]] adopted a resolution committing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to UN peacekeeping missions. The [[Ministry of Defense (Ukraine)|Minister of Defense]], [[Kostyantyn Morozov]], ordered the creation of the 240th Separate Special Battalion (UKRBAT-1) which was based on the [[93rd Guards Motor Rifle Division]] (now the [[93rd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)|93rd Mechanized Brigade]]). Soon after arrival in [[Sarajevo]] on 31 July 1992, the battalion's artillery ended up in the middle of a mutual mortar fight between the Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Muslims. One of the Serbian shells hit the Ukrainian position, seriously wounding seven soldiers, one of whom died after hospitalization in Germany.

Since 1997, Ukraine has been working closely with NATO and especially with Poland. A Ukrainian unit was deployed as part of the multinational force in Iraq under [[Poland|Polish]] command. Ukrainian troops are also deployed as part of the [[Polish-Ukrainian Peace Force Battalion|Ukrainian-Polish Battalion (UKRPOLBAT)]] in Kosovo. The total Ukrainian military deployment around the world as of 1 August 2009 was 540 servicemen participating in 8 peacekeeping missions.<ref name=UP>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?part=peacekeeping&lang=en|title=Міністерство|access-date=2008-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011104812/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?part=peacekeeping&lang=en|archive-date=2007-10-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Ukrainian military in Iraq.jpg|thumb|right|Ukrainian troops riding alongside US Marines in Iraq]]In the 2003 [[Iraq War]], from 2003 to 2006, Ukraine supplied one of the largest contingents of troops to the [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Multinational Force]], sending over 1,600 troops to Iraq and neighboring Kuwait. Thereafter, Ukraine kept around 40 personnel in Iraq until 2008. In all, over 5,000 Ukrainians served in Iraq, with 18 killed in action, and more injured.<ref name="kuchma_2003_07_03_guardian">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jul/03/iraq "Kuchma trades troops for respectability,"] July 3, 2003, ''[[The Guardian]],'' retrieved June 17, 2024</ref><ref name="complete_2008_12_11_army_mil">Foliente, Rodney, Sgt. (2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., U.S. Army): [https://www.army.mil/article/15056/ukrainians_complete_mission_in_iraq "Ukrainians complete mission in Iraq,"] December 11, 2008, [[U.S. Army]], retrieved June 17, 2024</ref><ref name="shia_telegraph_co_uk"/>

The first battle of a regular formation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces happened on 6 April 2004, in [[Kut]], [[Iraq]], when the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent was attacked by militants of the [[Mahdi Army]]. The Ukrainians took fire, and over several hours held the objectives they had been assigned to secure before surrendering the city to [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|insurgents]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.meforum.org/article/669|title=Al-Kut, Iraq: After-Battle Report|date=1 September 2004|journal=Middle East Quarterly|access-date=10 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517044004/http://www.meforum.org/article/669|archive-date=17 May 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|last1=Quarterly |first1=Middle East }}</ref><ref name="shia_telegraph_co_uk">{{Cite news |date=2004 |title=Shia militia takes city as Ukrainians flee |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1458834/Shia-militia-takes-city-as-Ukrainians-flee.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529010209/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1458834/Shia-militia-takes-city-as-Ukrainians-flee.html |archive-date=29 May 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>

Since gaining independence, Ukraine has deployed troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, as well as dedicating peacekeepers to UN missions to Africa (including helicopter units). Ukrainian naval units also participated in anti piracy operations off the coast of Somalia prior to being recalled due to the [[2014 Russian intervention in Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://eunavfor.eu/eu-naval-force-admiral-visits-ukrainian-navy-warship-hetman-sagaidachny/|title=EU Naval Force Admiral Visits Ukrainian Navy Warship Hetman Sagaidachny|date=18 Dec 2013|access-date=19 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221030925/http://eunavfor.eu/eu-naval-force-admiral-visits-ukrainian-navy-warship-hetman-sagaidachny/|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 19 January 2015, Ukraine's 18th separate helicopter detachment along with other [[MONUSCO]] troops carried out a successful operation eliminating 2 camps belonging to illegal armed groups in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://army.unian.net/1033527-ukrainskiy-kontingent-uchastvuet-v-operatsiyah-protiv-bandformirovaniy-v-kongo.html|publisher=unian|title=Украинский контингент участвует в операциях против бандформирований в Конго Подробности читайте на УНИАН|access-date=2015-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126091147/http://army.unian.net/1033527-ukrainskiy-kontingent-uchastvuet-v-operatsiyah-protiv-bandformirovaniy-v-kongo.html|archive-date=2015-01-26|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

=== Deployment outside Ukraine ===

* {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}: ([[United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo|MONUSCO]]) – 12 Experts on Mission and four [[Mi-24]] helicopters<ref name="UP" /><ref name=UN1>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/contributors/2010/sept10_5.pdf|title=UN Mission's Contributions by Country for September 2010|access-date=2017-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321050227/http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/contributors/2010/sept10_5.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="un-20120307">{{cite news |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41480 |title=DR Congo: UN peacekeeping mission receives tactical helicopters from Ukraine |newspaper=UN Daily News |date=7 March 2012 |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529210703/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41480 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="nbc-20140514">{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/helicopter-may-land-ukraines-military-hot-water-u-n-n105041 |title=Helicopter May Land Ukraine's Military in Hot Water With U.N. |author=Alexander Smith |work=NBC News |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=18 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529015705/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/helicopter-may-land-ukraines-military-hot-water-u-n-n105041 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}: ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]) – 128 Soldiers<ref name="UP" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/kfor/structur/nations/placemap/kfor_placemat.pdf|title=KFOR Troops (Placemat)|access-date=2009-09-28|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091005182919/http://www.nato.int/kfor/structur/nations/placemap/kfor_placemat.pdf|archive-date=2009-10-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}: ([[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]]) – 1 Military Liaison Component Chief of Staff, 1 liaison officer<ref name="UP" /><ref name="UN1" />
* {{flag|Liberia}}: ([[United Nations Mission in Liberia|UNMIL]]) – 277 Contingent Troops, 2 Experts on Mission<ref name="UP" /><ref name="UN1" />
* {{flag|Moldova}}: ([[Transnistria]]) – 10 Military Observers<ref name="UP" />
* {{flag|Sudan}}: ([[United Nations Mission in Sudan|UNMIS]]) – 9 Experts on Mission<ref name="UP" /><ref name="UN1" />
* {{flagcountry|Mali}} (20)

=== Annexation of Crimea by Russia ===
{{Main|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation}}
On 2 March 2014, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were placed on full alert following a Russian military invasion of [[Crimean Peninsula|Crimea]].<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|last=Erlanger|first=Steven|title=Ukrainian Government Rushes to Dampen Secessionist Sentiment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/world/europe/ukraine.html|work=The New York Times|date=2 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302220803/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/world/europe/ukraine.html|archive-date=2 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 19 March 2014, Ukraine drew plans to withdraw all its troops and their families to the mainland "quickly and efficiently".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26656617|title=Ukraine 'preparing withdrawal of troops from Crimea'|work=BBC News|access-date=19 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319214718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26656617|archive-date=19 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Traditions ==
[[File:Київ, Грушевського Михайла вул. 30, Будинок Військової школи.jpg|thumb|The [[Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]].]]
*On 9 August 2018, President [[Petro Poroshenko]] announced that the [[battle cry]] ''[[Slava Ukraini|Glory to Ukraine]]'' will be the official greeting of the armed forces, replacing the Soviet era military greeting of ''Hello Comrades'' (''Вітаю товариші'', ''Vitayu tovaryshi'').<ref>{{cite web |last1=Poroshenko |first1=Petro |title=President: The words "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!" will be the official greetings of the Armed Forces of our state |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-slova-slava-ukrayini-geroyam-slava-budut-oficijnim-48938 |website=PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE Official website |publisher=Government of Ukraine |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422013557/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-slova-slava-ukrayini-geroyam-slava-budut-oficijnim-48938 |url-status=live }}</ref> The greeting was first used during the [[Kyiv Independence Day Parade]] that year celebrating the [[centennial]] of the Ukrainian state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ukrainianweek.com/BreakingNews/218751|title=Ukraine's Independence Day military parade in Kyiv|date=24 August 2018 |publisher=[[The Ukrainian Week]]|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122035058/https://ukrainianweek.com/BreakingNews/218751|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.unian.info/politics/10285848-ukraine-s-parliament-approves-new-army-police-greeting.html Ukraine's parliament approves new army, police greeting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109164011/https://www.unian.info/politics/10285848-ukraine-s-parliament-approves-new-army-police-greeting.html |date=9 November 2021 }}, [[UNIAN]] (4 October 2018)</ref> It is also the official greeting of the [[National Police of Ukraine]].<ref name="interfaxua535728">[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/535728.html Rada approves salute 'Glory to Ukraine' in Ukrainian army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120115314/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/535728.html |date=20 November 2021 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (4 October 2018)</ref>
*The [[Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]] is the [[cultural center]] of the Ukrainian military located in [[Kyiv]]. Since its recent reorganization, it has become one of the leading cultural centers in the Ukrainian capital. It served as a concert hall for military officers in the [[Aftermath of World War II|post-war]] years, during which the whole city of Kyiv was in ruins and there were practically no audience halls. It has hosted the National Military History Museum since October 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mesta.kiev.ua/museums/page/7|title=Музеи » Страница 7 » Интересные места Киева|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229164329/http://mesta.kiev.ua/museums/page/7/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Ukrainian Army unveiled its current uniform on Independence Day in 2016.<ref name="nuUaWP"/> The new uniforms were modeled on British and Polish military styles<ref name="nuUaWP"/> and incorporate details from the uniforms worn by the [[Ukrainian People's Army]].<ref name="nuUaWP">[http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/25/fashion-statement-ukrainian-troops-debut-post-sovi/ Fashion statement: Ukrainian troops debut post-Soviet uniforms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829230710/http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/25/fashion-statement-ukrainian-troops-debut-post-sovi/ |date=2016-08-29 }}, [[The Washington Times]] (25 August 2016)</ref> The cap includes an insignia of a [[Ukrainian Cossack]] grasping a cross.<ref name="nuUaWP"/> Although mainly designed for the ground forces, other branches based their new uniforms off of the update. Prior to 2016, the uniforms were based on the Soviet military precedent.
*The military uses the Soviet [[goose step|goosestep]] (originated from [[Prussia]] that under the orders of King [[Frederick the Great]]) with the speed of the step being 75 steps per minute and elements of the marching pace of the [[Sich Riflemen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.segodnya.ua/ukraine/ukrainckie-coldaty-budut-zadirat-nohi-na-5-cm-nizhe.html|script-title=uk:Украинские солдаты будут задирать ноги на 5 см ниже|author=Бережной Влад|date=15 December 2009|website=www.segodnya.ua|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225120217/https://www.segodnya.ua/ukraine/ukrainckie-coldaty-budut-zadirat-nohi-na-5-cm-nizhe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mignews.com.ua/sobitiya/inukraine/2349968.html|script-title=uk:"Национальный" строевой шаг сделает украинскую армию элитарной|date=25 February 2010|website=MIGnews|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225120420/http://mignews.com.ua/sobitiya/inukraine/2349968.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*When in the [[present arms (command)|present arms]] position, all unit colors are required to dip.
*The S. Tvorun arrangement of the ''[[Zaporizhian March]]'' has been used in the ZSU since 1991 when it replaced ''[[Farewell of Slavianka]]'' in being performed during recruiting days, when new servicemen are welcomed to the Armed Forces and recite their enlistment oaths.

== Budget ==
{{See also|List of countries in Europe by military expenditures}}{{Update section|date=March 2022}}
In 2017, Ukraine's National Security Strategy foresaw that its National Security and Defense budget should be at least 5% of Ukraine's GDP.<ref name=pS17Udb>[https://www.unian.info/economics/2134511-ukraine-to-allocate-63-bln-for-security-defense-in-2018-poroshenko.html Ukraine to allocate $6.3 bln for security, defense in 2018 – Poroshenko] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914215920/https://www.unian.info/economics/2134511-ukraine-to-allocate-63-bln-for-security-defense-in-2018-poroshenko.html |date=2017-09-14 }}, [[UNIAN]] (14 September 2017)<br />{{in lang|uk}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2017/12/7/7164746/ Parliament approved the 2018 state budget] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103020443/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2017/12/7/7164746/ |date=2018-01-03 }}, [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (7 December 2017)</ref>

On 21 December 2016, the Verkhovna Rada adopted its 2017 National Security and Defense budget worth $5.172 billion; that being 5% of Ukraine's [[GDP]]. In 2016 defense expenditures amounted to $4.4 billion, or 5% of the GDP.<ref name=JbUa16>[http://www.janes.com/article/56428/ukrainian-military-budget-to-reduce-likelihood-of-separatist-attacks-in-donetsk-and-luhansk-improve-infrastructure-security Ukrainian military budget to reduce likelihood of separatist attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk, improve infrastructure security] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301024720/http://www.janes.com/article/56428/ukrainian-military-budget-to-reduce-likelihood-of-separatist-attacks-in-donetsk-and-luhansk-improve-infrastructure-security |date=2016-03-01 }}, [[IHS Jane's 360]] (2 December 2015)</ref><ref name=JbUa162>[https://web.archive.org/web/1/www.unian.info/economics/1466853-ukraine-to-spend-3-of-gdp-on-defense-in-2017-finance-minister.html "Ukraine to spend 3% of GDP on defense in 2017: Finance minister"], [[UNIAN]] (13 August 2016)</ref> This (2016 figure) was a 23% increase from 2013 and a 65% increase from 2005.<ref name=JbUa16 /> From the total, 60% was budgeted to be spent on defence and 40% on security and policing.<ref name=JbUa16 /> 2016 also saw a 30% increase in weapons development spending.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-to-increase-military-expenditure-by-30-in-2016-548205.html |title=UNIAN News. Latest news of Ukraine and world|website=uatoday.tv|access-date=2016-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319202016/http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-to-increase-military-expenditure-by-30-in-2016-548205.html |archive-date=2016-03-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, [[corruption in Ukraine|corruption, historically widespread in Ukraine]], combined with small budgets left the military in such a depleted condition that their ability to confront the crisis in Crimea and the Donbas was minimal. All Ukrainian defence sectors were heavily affected by systemic corruption which is hindering its capacity to ensure national security. In addition, it undermined popular trust in the military as an institution. Despite great effort to resolve the issue there were signs that enough is not being done.<ref>Adriana Lins de Albuquerque and Jakob Hedenskog [https://www.foi.se/report-search/pdf?fileName=D%3A%5CReportSearch%5CFiles%5C78b12d4c-19d6-4727-b96b-7faa5ba088dc.pdf Ukraine A Defence Sector Reform Assessment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044616/https://www.foi.se/report-search/pdf?fileName=D:%5CReportSearch%5CFiles%5C78b12d4c-19d6-4727-b96b-7faa5ba088dc.pdf |date=2017-12-01 }} FOI-R-4157-SE</ref>

The Ukrainian government launched major structural reforms of the army to meet [[NATO Standardization Office|NATO standards]] by 2020, but few believed that it could successfully meet the deadline. Some of the problems remained intact, for example: lack of civilian and parliamentary control of the armed forces, lack of internal coordination between different departments, poor integration of volunteers into the regular army, impunity and abusive behavior of military personnel in conflict zones and systemic corruption and opacity of financial resources, especially in the [[Ukroboronprom]] defense-industry monopoly.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/02/22/ukraine-s-toughest-fight-challenge-of-military-reform-pub-75609 |title=Ukraine's Toughest Fight: The Challenge of Military Reform |access-date=2018-10-02 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014204/https://carnegieendowment.org/2018/02/22/ukraine-s-toughest-fight-challenge-of-military-reform-pub-75609 |archive-date=2018-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, the military budget grew dramatically, to nearly 5% of GDP. Corruption remained a serious problem operating at all levels of Ukrainian society, and the lack of modern military organizational structure confounded efforts at reform.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-corruption-military.html |title=In Ukraine, Corruption is Now Undermining the Military |newspaper=The New York Times |date=19 February 2018 |access-date=2018-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415125144/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/world/europe/ukraine-corruption-military.html |archive-date=2018-04-15 |url-status=live |last1=Higgins |first1=Andrew }}</ref> By 2022, some reforms had been made.<ref>[https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177692/valeriy-zaluzhnyy/ "Valeriy Zaluzhnyy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008221857/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177692/valeriy-zaluzhnyy/ |date=8 October 2022 }}, ''Time'', 23 May 2022.</ref>

=== Budget per year ===
(Defense budget only, not "Security and Defense" combined)<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Military Spending/Defense Budget 1993-2022 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/UKR/ukraine/military-spending-defense-budget |website=www.macrotrends.net |access-date=2 October 2022 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002000531/https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/UKR/ukraine/military-spending-defense-budget |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: military spending 2000-2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293277/ukraine-military-spending/ |website=Statista |language=en |access-date=2 October 2022 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002000529/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293277/ukraine-military-spending/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2003: $1.01 billion (₴5.06 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="pidruchniki.com">{{Cite web|url=https://pidru4niki.com/16011013/finansi/sklad_struktura_vidatkiv_derzhavnogo_byudzhetu_ukrayini|title=Склад і структура видатків Державного бюджету України|website=Pidru4niki|access-date=3 April 2022|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304004520/https://pidru4niki.com/16011013/finansi/sklad_struktura_vidatkiv_derzhavnogo_byudzhetu_ukrayini|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2004: $1.29 billion (₴6.46 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="pidruchniki.com"/>
* 2005: $1.23 billion (₴6.16 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="pidruchniki.com"/>
* 2006: $1.47 billion (₴7.35 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="pidruchniki.com"/>
* 2007: $2.12 billion (₴10.6 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="pidruchniki.com"/>
* 2008: $1.78 billion (₴8.926 billion @5.0 exchange rate)<ref name="zakon.rada.gov.ua">{{Cite web|url=https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/go/107-17 |title=Про Державний бюджет України на 2008 рік та про внесення змін до деяких законодавчих актів України|website=zakon.rada.gov.ua}}</ref>
* 2009: $0.93 billion (₴7.4 billion @8.0 exchange rate)<ref name="tyzhden.ua">{{Cite web |url=https://tyzhden.ua/Publication/2322 |title=Гра в солдатики |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=24 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224233115/https://tyzhden.ua/Publication/2322 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2010: $1.63 billion (₴13.1 billion @8.0 exchange rate)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2009/09/29/4211736/|title=Як Тимошенко закрила роти генералам|access-date=2019-12-02|trans-title=How Tymoshenko closed her mouth to the generals|website=pravda.com.ua|date=2009-09-29|author=АННА БАБІНЕЦЬ|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222112526/https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2009/09/29/4211736/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2011: $1.82 billion (₴14.6 billion @8.0 exchange rate)<ref name="vkurse.ua">{{Cite web |url=http://vkurse.ua/ua/society/stimulirovat-voennykh-premiyami.html |title=Міністр оборони обіцяє стимулювати військових преміями, Михайло Єжель, оборона, Міністерство оборони — ВКурсе.ua новини України |access-date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220124226/http://vkurse.ua/ua/society/stimulirovat-voennykh-premiyami.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2012: $2.05 billion (₴16.4 billion @8.0 exchange rate)<ref name="economy.nayka.com.ua">{{Cite journal|url = http://www.economy.nayka.com.ua/?op=1&z=922|title = Проблеми Формування Системи Видатків Державного Бюджету|journal = Ефективна Економіка|year = 2012|issue = 2|last1 = Богомолова|first1 = Н. І.|access-date = 26 November 2019|archive-date = 20 December 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191220040657/http://www.economy.nayka.com.ua/?op=1&z=922|url-status = live}}</ref>
* 2013: $1.88 billion (₴15.3 billion @8.1 exchange rate)<ref name="news.finance.ua">{{Cite web|url=https://news.finance.ua/ru/news/-/293024/voennye-rashody-ukrainy-v-2013-godu-uvelicheny-na-1-15-minfin |title=Военные расходы Украины в 2013 году увеличены на 1,15% – Минфин — Finance.ua|website=news.finance.ua|date=13 December 2012 }}</ref>
* 2014: $1.37 billion (₴15.1 billion @11.0 exchange rate)<ref name="bbc.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/business/2014/12/141224_budget_spendings_project-2015_vc |title = Бюджет-2015: освіту і соціалку урізають, армії додають|date = 24 December 2014}}</ref>
* 2015: $1.91 billion (₴40.2 billion @21.0 exchange rate)<ref name="bbc.com"/>
* 2016: $2.11 billion (₴56 billion)<ref name="depo.ua">{{Cite web|url=https://www.depo.ua/ukr/war/proekt-viyskovogo-byudzhetu-2017---skilki-kudi-y-navishcho-26092016090000 |title = Військовий бюджет-2017: Скільки Україна витратить на техніку і оборону (ТАБЛИЦЯ) – oстанні новини з АТО}}</ref>
* 2017: $2.65 billion (₴69 billion)<ref name="mil.in.ua">{{Cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/d0-b1-d1-8e-d0-b4-d0-b6-d0-b5-d1-82-d1-96-2019-d0-bd-d0-b0-d0-be-d0-b1-d0-be-d1-80-d0-be-d0-bd-d1-83-d0-bf-d0-b5-d1-80-d0-b5-d0-b4-d0-b1-d0-b0-d1-87-d0-b5-d0-bd-d0-be-538-d0-b2-d0-b2-d0-bf/ |title=Бюджеті 2019 – на оборону передбачено 5,38% ВВП|date=23 November 2018}}</ref>
* 2018: $3.20 billion (₴83.3 billion)<ref name="mil.in.ua"/>
* 2019: $4.08 billion (₴102 billion)<ref name="mil.in.ua"/>
* 2020: $5.2 billion (₴130 billion)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2019/11/14/7231954/ |title=Рада ухвалила бюджет-2020 |access-date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=16 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116074610/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2019/11/14/7231954/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2021: $4.9 billion (₴121.7 billion)<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/features-55304248|title = Рада ухвалила бюджет 2021: кому і на що бракуватиме коштів|newspaper = BBC News Україна|access-date = 12 October 2021|archive-date = 16 January 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230116155515/https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/features-55304248|url-status = live}}</ref>
* 2022: $8.3 billion (₴340.1 billion)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zinets |first1=Natalia |title=War forces Ukraine to divert $8.3 bln to military spending, tax revenue drops - minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/exclusive-war-forces-ukraine-divert-83-bln-military-spending-tax-revenue-drops-2022-05-12/ |website=Reuters |language=en |date=12 May 2022 |access-date=2 October 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116155516/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/exclusive-war-forces-ukraine-divert-83-bln-military-spending-tax-revenue-drops-2022-05-12/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2023: $31.03 billion (₴1.1 trillion)<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Верховна Рада України ухвалила держбюджет на 2023 рік |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/verhovna-rada-ukrayini-uhvalila-derzhbyudzhet-na-2023-rik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229134242/https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/verhovna-rada-ukrayini-uhvalila-derzhbyudzhet-na-2023-rik |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |website=kmu.gov.ua}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Міністерство Фінансів України |url=https://mof.gov.ua/uk/budget_2023-582 |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=mof.gov.ua |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307073343/https://mof.gov.ua/uk/budget_2023-582 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2024: $64.8 billion (₴2.4 trillion)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/ukraines-budget-2024 | title=Ukraine's Budget for 2024 &#124; Wilson Center }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-funding-budget-defense-european-union/ | title=Ukraine's funding gap — by the numbers | date=25 January 2024 }}</ref>

"Security and Defense" combined budget apart from Department of Defense (Defense Ministry) for Armed Forces of Ukraine, also includes expenses for Police, Customs, and Border Control.

== Military holidays ==
[[File:Президент проінспектував бойові навчання Збройних Сил України 2.jpg|thumb|[[T-64]] and [[Su-27]] on [[Defender of Ukraine Day]] celebration, 14 October 2017]]
These are the military holidays observed by all service personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=history&sub=holidays|title=Міністерство|access-date=2008-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109150548/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=history&sub=holidays|archive-date=2007-11-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

* 6 May - Day of the Mechanized Infantry 
* 23 May – Marine Corps Birthday
* 8 July – Air and Air Defence Forces Day
* First Sunday in July – [[Navy Day (Ukraine)|Navy Day]];<ref name=pndfsj>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/271853.html Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716175200/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/271853.html |date=2015-07-16 }}, [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (12 June 2015)</ref> From 1997 until 2011 this day was celebrated on August 1<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3NJt5Un2AEAC&q=Ukrainian+%22Navy+day%22&pg=PA781|title=The Global Road Warrior: 100 Country Handbook for the International Business Traveler|first=Joe|last=Reif|author-link=Joe Reif|page=781|edition=3|publisher=[[World Trade Press]]|year=2001|isbn=1-885073-86-0|access-date=2015-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213432/https://books.google.com/books?id=3NJt5Un2AEAC&pg=PA781&dq=Ukrainian+%22Navy+day%22&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=46oIT6PvJcKAOojRxZsB&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Ukrainian%20%22Navy%20day%22&f=false|archive-date=2016-02-04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AsQzDd41doAC&q=Ukrainian+Navy++August+1%2C+1992&pg=PA250|title=Ukraine Intelligence & Security Activities and Operations Handbook|page=250|publisher=[[International Business Publications, USA]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7397-1661-8|access-date=2015-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511133159/https://books.google.com/books?id=AsQzDd41doAC&pg=PA250&lpg=PA250&dq=Ukrainian+Navy++August+1,+1992&source=bl&ots=yJuER86KK2&sig=bCgBoY4nj2wTJXZMp0piUt8MwuQ&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=O68IT9fTGY3m-gaxoPXGCw&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Ukrainian%20Navy%20%20August%201%2C%201992&f=false|archive-date=2016-05-11|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 8 August – Signal Corps Day
* 7 September – [[Chief directorate of intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine|Military Intelligence]] Forces Day<ref name="ukrinform3093395">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-society/3093395-7-veresna-pamatni-dati.html Today, Ukrainian military intelligence officers celebrate their professional holiday], [[Ukrinform]] (7 September 2020)</ref>
* 9 September – [[Armored Force (Ukraine)|Armoured Forces]] Day
* 14 September – Mobilized Servicemen Day
* 1 October – [[Defenders Day (Ukraine)|Defenders of Ukraine Day]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/806/2014|title=Про День захисника України {{!}} від 14 October 2014 № 806/2014|date=14 October 2014|website=zakon3.rada.gov.ua|language=uk|trans-title=On the day of defenders of Ukraine {{!}} 14 October 2014 No. 806/2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302215112/http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/806/2014|archive-date=2 March 2016|access-date=2 March 2016}}</ref>
* 29 October – Finance Officers Day
* 3 November – [[Rocket Forces and Artillery (Ukraine)|Rocket Forces and Artillery]] Day
* 3 November – Corps of Engineers Day
* 21 November – [[Ukrainian Air Assault Forces|Air Assault Forces]] Day<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2017/11/8/7161138/|title=День десантників вирішили перенести|website=Українська правда|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113232044/http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2017/11/8/7161138/|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3802017-23058 |title=Указ Президента України №380/2017 від 21 листопада 2017 року "Про День Десантно-штурмових військ Збройних Сил України" |date=2017-11-21 |website=president.gov.ua |publisher=Адміністрація Президента України |access-date=2017-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032136/http://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3802017-23058 |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Poroshenko: 469 Ukrainian paratroopers killed in Donbas amid war|url=https://www.unian.info/war/2254451-poroshenko-469-ukrainian-paratroopers-killed-in-donbas-amid-war.html|work=UNIAN|access-date=2017-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042554/https://www.unian.info/war/2254451-poroshenko-469-ukrainian-paratroopers-killed-in-donbas-amid-war.html|archive-date=2017-12-01|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 6 December – [[Armed Forces Day]]; festive fireworks and salutes take place in various cities in Ukraine<ref>[http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-350150.html Festive fireworks and salutes to take place in 9 cities on Sunday] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224211520/http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-350150.html |date=2010-12-24 }}, [[UNIAN]] (December 3, 2009)</ref> The holiday was established in 1993 by the [[Verkhovna Rada]].<ref>[https://www.unian.info/m/society/2282449-ukraine-marks-armed-forces-day-video.html Ukraine marks Armed Forces Day (Video)], [[UNIAN]] (06 December 2017)</ref>
* 12 December – [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] Day
* 23 December – Operational Servicemen Day

== Veterans ==
Ukraine provides combat veterans with a range of benefits. Ukrainians who served in World War II, the [[Soviet–Afghan War]], or as [[Liquidator (Chernobyl)|liquidators]] at the [[Chernobyl disaster]] are eligible for benefits such as monthly allowances, discounts on medical and pharmacy services, free use of public transportation, additional vacation days from work, retention priority in work layoffs, easier access to loans and associated approval processes, preference when applying for security related positions, priority when applying to vocational schools or trade schools, and electricity, gas, and housing subsidies. Veterans are also eligible to stay at military sanatoriums, space permitting. Since gaining independence, Ukraine has deployed troops to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, gaining a new generation of veterans separate from those who have served in the Soviet forces. Most recently, the government passed a law extending veteran benefits to Ukrainian troops responding to the war in Donbas. Moreover, veterans from other nations who move to or reside in Ukraine may be eligible for some of the listed benefits, this provision was likely made to ensure World War II, Chernobyl, and Afghanistan veterans from other Soviet states who moved to Ukraine received similar benefits, however as Ukraine has participated in numerous NATO-led conflicts since its independence, it is unclear if NATO veterans would be extended these benefits.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timlawyer.com.ua/lgoti-voenoslugashim-uchastnikam-ato/|title=Benefits for the servicemen of the ATO|publisher=Харькова Тимохов|date=2014-09-08|access-date=2014-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009145108/http://timlawyer.com.ua/lgoti-voenoslugashim-uchastnikam-ato|archive-date=2014-10-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

Veteran groups are not as developed as in the United States, which has numerous well known national organizations such as the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]. World War II veterans, and even persons who have lived through the war are generally treated with the highest respect. Other veterans are not as well known. Ukrainian veterans from the Soviet–Afghan War are strikingly similar to the [[Vietnam War]] veterans of the United States. The Soviet Union generally kept the public in the dark through the war, and it has often been labeled as a mistake by the Soviet Union and its successor states. The lack of media coverage and censorship through the war also ensured that many still remain unaware of their nation's involvement in the conflict.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=61&print=yes|title=Afghanistan Veteran Once Removed|website=vvaw.org|publisher=Vietnam Veterans Against the War|access-date=2016-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003643/http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=61&print=yes|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite Ukraine having the third-largest contingent of troops in Iraq in 2004, few also realize that their nation has many veterans of the [[Iraq War]].

Due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, another generation of veterans has appeared in Ukraine. These veterans would be eligible for the same benefits as all others. However, as there was no official declaration of war, it was difficult to determine the cut-off date for veteran benefits, leaving many that participated at the beginning of the conflict without benefits. At first, Ukraine only gave benefits posthumously to family members, as there was no legal framework to account for the veterans, moreover, members of territorial defense battalions were not eligible for benefits at all. In August,{{Specify|date=June 2022}} a law was passed granting all service members participating in the war in Donbas the status of veterans, five months after first hostilities broke out in Crimea, the territorial defense battalions were integrated into the National Guard making them part of Ukraine's forces, thus allowing their volunteers to receive veteran status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://censor.net.ua/news/305860/status_uchastnika_boevyh_deyistviyi_boyitsy_ato_poka_poluchayut_tolko_posmertno|publisher=censor|title=Статус участника боевых действий бойцы АТО пока получают только посмертно|date=6 October 2014 |access-date=2014-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010004717/http://censor.net.ua/news/305860/status_uchastnika_boevyh_deyistviyi_boyitsy_ato_poka_poluchayut_tolko_posmertno|archive-date=2014-10-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/uchastnik-boevyh-deystviy-nerealnaya-mechta-uchastnika-ato-_.html|publisher=Gazaeta|title=Участник боевых действий. Нереальная мечта участника АТО|access-date=2014-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111113053/http://gazeta.zn.ua/internal/uchastnik-boevyh-deystviy-nerealnaya-mechta-uchastnika-ato-_.html|archive-date=2015-01-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

Veterans of the war in Donbas are eligible for receiving apartments (if staying in active duty) or a land plot for building purposes of 1,000 sq. metres in the district of their registration.

On 22 November 2018, the [[Ministry for Veterans Affairs]] of Ukraine was officially established.<ref name="UGF10145168MVA">[https://www.unian.info/m/politics/10348734-ukraine-parliament-appoints-markarova-friz-ministers.html Ukraine parliament appoints Markarova, Friz ministers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514041628/https://www.unian.info/politics/10348734-ukraine-parliament-appoints-markarova-friz-ministers.html |date=14 May 2021 }}, [[UNIAN]] (22 November 2018)</ref>

== Military industrial complex ==
{{Main|Defense industry of Ukraine}}

Ukraine received about 30% of the [[Soviet military]] industry, which included between 50 and 60 percent of all Ukrainian [[Company|enterprises]], employing 40% of its working population. Ukraine was a leader in [[missile]]-related technology,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/ukraine/index.html|title=Ukraine Special Weapons|access-date=2015-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126064545/https://fas.org/nuke/guide/ukraine/index.html|archive-date=2015-11-26|url-status=live}}</ref> [[navigation]] electronics for combat vessels and [[submarine]]s, [[guidance system]]s, and [[radar]] for military [[Jet aircraft|jets]], heavy armoured vehicles.

The military-technical policy in the field of development and modernization of weapons and military equipment provides the [[Central Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>Igor Chepkov. [https://cacds.org.ua/en/?p=2065 Key problems in the protection of the defense-industrial complex of Ukraine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124052143/https://cacds.org.ua/en/?p=2065 |date=24 January 2021 }}"</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Military ranks of Ukraine]]
* [[Flags of the Ukrainian Armed Forces]]
* [[List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]]
* [[Ukrainian Armed Forces branch insignia]]
* [[Yurii Bulavka]]
* [[Vitalii Lazorkin]]
* [[Bohdan Senyk]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==
* Andrew Bowen, "Ukrainian Armed Forces," ''[https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11862 Congressional Research Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130091427/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11862 |date=30 November 2021 }}'', June 23, 2021
* Melanie Bright, The Jane's Interview: Yevhen Marchuk, Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 January 2004
* John Jaworsky, "Ukraine's Armed Forces and Military Policy," Harvard Ukrainian Studies Vol. 20, UKRAINE IN THE WORLD: Studies in the International Relations and Security Structure of a Newly Independent State (1996), pp.&nbsp;223–247
* Kuzio, T., "Ukrainian Armed Forces in Crisis," ''[[Jane's Intelligence Review]]'', 1995, Vol. 7; No. 7, page 305
* Kuzio, T., "The organization of Ukraine's forces," ''[[Jane's Intelligence Review]]'', June 1996, Vol. 8; No. 6, pages 254–258
* Ben Lombardia, "Ukrainian armed forces: Defence expenditure and military reform," ''[[The Journal of Slavic Military Studies]]'', Volume 14, Issue 3, 2001, pages 31–68
* {{cite journal |last1=Mychajlyszyn |first1=Natalie |year=2002 |title=Civil-Military Relations in Post-Soviet Ukraine: Implciations for Domestic and Regional Stability|journal=Armed Forces & Society |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=455–479 |publisher=Interuniversity Seminar on Armed Forces and Society |doi=10.1177/0095327x0202800306|s2cid=145268260 }}<!--|access-date=November 2012 -->
* Walter Parchomenko, "Prospects for Genuine Reform in Ukraine's Security Forces," ''Armed Forces & Society'', 2002, Vol. 28, No. 2
* Brigitte Sauerwein, "Rich in Arms, Poor in Tradition," ''International Defence Review'', No. 4, April 1993, 317–318.
* J Sherr, "Ukraine: The Pursuit of Defence Reform in an Unfavourable Context," 2004, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
* J Sherr, "Into Reverse?: The Dismissal of Ukraine's Minister of Defence," 2004, [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom]]
* James Sherr, 'Ukraine's Defence Reform: An Update', [[Conflict Studies Research Centre]], 2002
* Sharon L. Wolchik, ''Ukraine: The Search for a National Identity''. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000
* Steven J Zaloga, "Armed Forces in Ukraine," ''Jane's Intelligence Review'', March 1992, p.&nbsp;135
* ''[[Jane's Intelligence Review]]'', September 1993, re Crimea
* Woff, Richard, ''Armed Forces of the Former Soviet Union: Evolution, Structure and Personalities''. London: Brassey's, c. 1996.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Ukraine}}
* Official Website of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: [http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/ in English] and [http://www.mil.gov.ua/ in Ukrainian] {{in lang|en|uk}}
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20160213060454/http://viysko.com.ua/ Viysko Ukrayiny]'' – Ministry of Defense' ''Army of Ukraine'' magazine {{in lang|uk}}
* Ukraine Defence White Book: [https://web.archive.org/web/20080910033922/http://www.mil.gov.ua/files/white_book_eng2005.pdf 2005] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080527194203/http://www.mil.gov.ua/files/white_book_eng2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.defesa.gov.br/projetosweb/livrobranco/arquivos/pdf/Ucrania%202007.pdf 2007] [http://www.mil.gov.ua/content/files/whitebook/WB_2013_eng.pdf 2013] [http://www.mil.gov.ua/content/files/whitebook/WB_2014_eng.pdf 2014] [http://www.mil.gov.ua/content/files/whitebook/WB_2015_eng_WEB.PDF 2015] [http://www.mil.gov.ua/content/files/whitebook/WB_2016_ENG_WEB.pdf 2016]
* [http://defence-ua.com/index.php/en/ "Defense-Express" specialized news agency] (a project of Ukrainian "Center for Army Conversion and Disarmament Studies" NGO; subscription needed for most of the material)
* Alexander J. Motyl, {{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20160204092335/http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/alexander-j-motyl/last-military-reform-makes-headway-ukraine At Last, Military Reform makes headway in Ukraine]}}, [[World Affairs]], 3 February 2016.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130730165324/http://uarmy.com.ua/ENG/index_e.php3 ''Ukrainian Army'' military history magazine] (including info on insignia and military museums)
* {{Cite web|title=Corruption Obstructs Reforms in the Ukrainian Armed Forces|url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Publications/Detail/?lang=en&id=164175|website=isn.ethz.ch|access-date=2016-02-09|first=Leonid|last=Polyakov}} [[Leonid Polyakov|Polyakov]] was a former deputy defence minister. In this 2013 work, Polyakov said corruption was compromising the performance of Ukraine's defense forces. The author identifies corruption within and outside of the defense agencies and said this corruption has impacted the professionalization of the army, its human resource management, procurement, peacekeeping activities and fiscal management. Unlawful use of military infrastructure through provision of business services for illegal reward became a widespread phenomenon.
* {{cite web|url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/printable_article?art_id=3179462|title=London, UK-based Institute for Strategic Studies appraises Ukrainian Armed Forces' personnel as 295,500-strong|publisher=Ukrinform|date=2003-10-25}} Information on Ukrainian military human and weapons resources.
{{Armies of Ukraine}}
{{Ukraine topics}}
{{Military of Ukraine}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military history of Europe}}
{{Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}

[[Category:Military of Ukraine| ]]
[[Category:Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)]]