Editors of the Military Media Center have published a memo explaining the purpose and role of each branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Although initially intended for the Ukrainian audience, we find it may be helpful for a general understanding of how the military machine of Ukraine works so that our readers don't get lost in terms and names of various forces.
We also added some information on our own accord in the end to clarify nuances. So, here is how the media agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine breaks down the AFU structure.
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The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Ground Forces have two main roles: repelling the attacks of the enemy land forces and holding the lines, territories, and areas. They are ruled by four specialized command centers, each designated to their respective operational direction:
- Operative Command East
- Operative Command South
- Operative Command North
- Operative Command West
By the way, that is why we heard so many news from the OC North at the start of the full-scale invasion, as this command was responsible for repelling the russian forces approaching Kyiv from the territory of belarus to the north. Afterward, this OC has been making sure the northern borders are well guarded and safe from another attempt of attack.
The branches of the Ground Forces are following:
- Mechanized and armored forces
- Missile Forces and Artillery
- Army aviation
- Army Air Defense
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Air Force of Ukraine is responsible for protecting the country's airspace in general and guarding specific important facilities and groups of forces, carrying out airstrikes on the enemy, air support of allied forces, providing landing for airborne forces, air reconnaissance and surveillance, transporting military goods, troops and equipment.
The types of forces belonging to the Air Force:
- Aviation (includes reconnaissance, fighter, bomber, assault and transport aviation)
- Air defense forces
- Radio-Technical Forces
The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or simply the Ukrainian Navy, "repels armed aggression from the sea by itself or in cooperation with other branches of AFU and military units"; holds off, localizes and neutralizes armed conflict, supports Land Forces in the coastal area.
The structure of Ukrainian Navy includs:
- Aviation
- Marine Corps
- Surface Forces
- Special Forces
- Rear Elements
These are the three main branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the list doesn't end here since we have several detached branches of AFU, as follows.
Air Assault Forces perform rapid deployment and cover of particular directions or areas of defense, offensive actions and assaults, combat actions in the enemy rear, and encircle the enemy from above.
Special Operations Forces get intelligence behind enemy lines, organize and support resistance activities in the occupied territories, carry out psychological operations, fight against terrorism and piracy, protect Ukrainian citizens and state-owned facilities outside Ukraine, provide security of maritime transport in Ukraine, take part in international military cooperation.
Territorial Defense is another detached branch of AFU, and important to note, they operate under command by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in contrast to the military units we'll talk about below.
The Territorial Defense protects civilians, territories, environment and assets from emergency situations, i.e. cataclysms, deals with the aftermath of hostilities, provides military training for volunteers of the so-called "national resistance" represented by civilians, ensures security and armed protection for important structures, logistics and critical infrastructure, repel armed aggression, fight against saboteurs and illegal militias, fight for territorial before the arrival and deployment of the main forces of AFU and provide conditions for their deployment or regrouping, hold the lines, territories and areas.
Hasten to add, we'd like to mention separately the International Legion. It is part of the Territorial Defense that is represented by volunteers from all over the world who came to Ukraine to fight against russian aggression. This unit became a target for russian hatred especially, as they claim legionnaires cannot be treated as Prisoners of War when taken captive. Such treatment goes against international law.
The stories of the people who came to the country to fight alongside Ukrainians are covered by Defense Express in a special project Legionnaires of the Defense of Ukraine.
The Military Media Center also includes the National Guard in this list. The fact is, despite the National Guard being an internal force (gendarmerie), Ukrainian law states they take up arms alongside AFU during martial law. The National Guard protects lives, rights, and lawful interests of citizens, society and the state from any malintent, keeps public order and safety, works together with law enforcers in order to protect the state borders, fights terrorism, illegal militia, and criminal organizations.
On the part of Defense Express, we have also seen the troops of the National Guard fighting russian army like any other branch of AFU does, taking down russian combat vehicles, using artillery etc. The armament of the NGU units is not distinct from the regular army.
Also, you may also encounter the term Ukrainian Defense Forces in articles by Defense Express or any other Ukrainian media. This term is officially defined as all the structures that take part in the armed defense of Ukraine, yet it is often used with colloquial meaning when referring to all the kinds of Ukrainian forces involved in repelling the russian invasion. In addition to the mentioned ones, there are also the State Border Guard service, National Police, and many others.
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