Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces – Always First!

From Soviet Doctrine to Leading in the Frontline

Upon the fall of the Soviet Union, several Airborne Forces of the Soviet Union were integrated into the Ukrainian Ground Forces under the name of the Ukrainian 1^st Airmobile Division. For their first 20 years, they became the go-to division in Ukraine's international peacekeeping missions. They served in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caucasus as autonomous units but also together with the Polish Armed Forces under the Polish-Ukrainian Peace Force Battalion.

In 2016, the Ukrainian Airmobile Forces became its own Branch within the Ukraine Armed Forces. This process started in 2014 after the renowned 95^th Air Assault Brigade conducted a legendary mission and the longest military raid in modern history behind enemy lines in occupied Ukrainian territory. It was a year later when they cut their formal origins of the Soviet Airborne Troops and were utterly cut off in 2017 when they decided to appoint November 21^st as Air Assault Forces Day, replacing the 70-year-old tradition of celebrating their day on August 2^nd. This date marks the Soviet Union's first parachute mission in 1930 in Voronezh, today's Russian Federation.

Today, they constitute a distinct branch characterized by exceptional maneuverability and operational autonomy. Their primary purpose is rapid deployment for various objectives, including defensive coverage of specific areas or districts, offensive actions, and rearward operations against the enemy.

The Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine possess several key features that set them apart from the Ground Forces:

• High Mobility: These troops can swiftly reach designated locations and boundaries.
• Independent Task Execution: They operate autonomously in challenging conditions and across any direction.
• Intensive Training: Their training level is notably high and rigorous, passing standards.
• Motivation and Morale: They exhibit strong motivation and morale.

Insignia and Branch Symbology

The 21^st of November was inaugurated as Air Assault Forces Day. The maroon berets, which included the symbol of the Archangel Michale and the dome of a parachute with a flaming sword, were introduced for the Paratroopers, breaking away from the Soviet-style blue berets.

This was a continuation of the reforms that began right after Russia's annexation of Crimea, where these paratroopers saw action in the Donbas region.

The insignia of Ukraine's Airborne Assault Troops features a silver parachute adorned with golden wings spread wide. A golden sword with a serpentine, the yellow-hot blade is affixed along the parachute’s central line, its tip directed downward. Beneath, a steel-gray banner bears the black-lettered credo, “Always First.”

The standard of the Airborne Assault Troops is a maroon rectangular flag with a 2:3 ratio. The emblem is centrally displayed on the flag's obverse, measuring four-fifths the flag's height. On the flag's reverse is a depiction of Archangel Michael clad in combat gear, occupying four-fifths of the flag's height.

A golden fringe embellishes the flag’s free edges. The flagpole is a light brown hue, culminating in an arrow-shaped yellow metal finial. The Airborne Assault Troops’ emblem is prominently featured at the center.

Task Org – Restructuring and Creating New Brigades in the Middle of the War

The organizational structure of the DSHV within the Armed Forces of Ukraine is multifaceted and includes:

The Command of the Defense Forces serves as an operational-level military management body. Its responsibilities encompass the generation of forces, planning of operations, and oversight of troop actions.

Various combat formations, military units, and elements are dedicated to combat and logistical support. In terms of functionality, the formations, units, and elements of the Airborne Assault Forces are categorized into two main components:

• The Amphibious Assault Component includes units and formations capable of executing amphibious assault operations.
• The Airborne Component: Comprising parachute-paratrooper and paratrooper-assault units, these groups are designed for various combat operations, each differing in composition and the nature of their tasks.

Within the airborne and assault brigades, an assault component can be identified, notable for its high tactical mobility and superior firepower compared to standard units.

This component is made up of tactical groups formed from assault and parachute battalions (companies), which are further strengthened by tanks, artillery, anti-aircraft units, and support and logistics units. These tactical groups are optimally employed to breach fortified zones, neutralize enemy strongholds, and dismantle well-fortified essential facilities with comprehensive security and defense systems.

Let's explore the significant brigades and units that constitute the combat capabilities of the Air Assault Forces:

25th Airborne Brigade - The 25th Airborne Brigade is another significant unit. Comprising highly trained paratroopers, they excel in both offensive and defensive scenarios. They are the only unit in the Corps that possesses BMD-1 and BMD-2. 

The Brigade has been actively involved in the comprehensive Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

A video surfaced on March 15, 2022, depicting the destruction of a Russian tank by the Brigade's forces. Subsequently, on March 18, 2022, they disseminated additional images showcasing the wreckage of Russian T-72 tanks. By September 2022, the Brigade had advanced to the periphery of Kupiansk in coordination with the SBU Alpha Group, the 92nd Mechanized Brigade, and the 80th Air Assault Brigade. Concurrently, the Kyiv Post announced Kupiansk's liberation, notwithstanding the operational discretion maintained by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The UK Ministry of Defence acknowledged that seizing the city considerably setback Russian military operations, given its pivotal role as a logistical hub linking to the Donbas area. On October 16, 2023, Ukrainian Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported the downing of a Mi-8 helicopter by the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade, though the location was not disclosed. In March 2024, General Syrskyi openly commended the 25th Brigade for their successful defense against Russian offensives targeting the villages of Berdychi and Orlivka.

46th Airmobile Brigade - The 46th Airmobile Brigade is part of the high-mobility forces. They are equipped for swift movement and engagement.

71st Jaeger Brigade - The 71st Jaeger Brigade combines infantry skills with mobility. Their expertise lies in both ground and airborne operations. The formation of the 71st Jaeger Brigade, which translates from German as "hunters" and suggests specialized forest troops, was a direct response to the intensification of the Russo-Ukrainian War due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Initially part of the Reserve Corps, the Brigade transitioned to active duty in April 2022, engaging in the conflict within the Kharkiv Oblast alongside the Air Assault Forces. By June, they had extended their operations to the Donbas region.

During the early phase of Ukraine's offensive in the Kharkiv area in September 2022, the 71st Brigade played a pivotal role. From September 5 to 8, the Brigade's forces forded the Donets River and spearheaded an assault on Balakliia, advancing from Husarivka. In October, the Brigade's soldiers received commendations from Major-General Maksym Myrhorodsky, the head of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, for their active combat roles in the Donetsk region. That same month, the Brigade was engaged in defensive operations near Bakhmut and, as reported by Austrian analyst Tom Cooper, participated in a successful counteroffensive on the city's outskirts in December.

77th Airmobile Brigade—The 77th Airmobile Brigade is adept at rapid response and maneuverability. It contributes significantly to Ukraine's defense.

79th Air Assault Brigade - Known for its tactical agility, the 79th Air Assault Brigade excels in overcoming obstacles and engaging the enemy.

80th Air Assault Brigade - The 80th Air Assault Brigade shares similar characteristics, emphasizing mobility and combat effectiveness. The 80th Airmobile Brigade was reorganized in its current form on November 25, 2013. In early 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Brigade was tasked with securing the border between Ukraine and Russia in the Poltava and Sumy regions. From April 7-8, 2014, they were deployed to protect Luhansk Airport, a position they maintained until a Russian offensive in September necessitated a withdrawal. The Brigade engaged in combat at Shchastia in June 2014, where a nocturnal engagement on June 17-18 resulted in the loss of 11 of its members, alongside personnel from the 128th Mountain Brigade. On August 1, the Brigade successfully ambushed a separatist convoy between Sukhodolska and Luhansk, resulting in the destruction of military equipment and significant separatist casualties. Another ambush occurred on September 5, involving the Brigade and the Aidar Battalion near Vesela Hora, leading to the loss of 40 soldiers, whose remains were later recovered following negotiations.

81st Airmobile Brigade - The 81st Airmobile Brigade is a versatile force capable of operating across different environments.

82nd Air Assault Brigade - The 82nd Air Assault Brigade, composed of veterans from the 25th Airborne Brigade and the 80th Air Assault Brigade, is trained on new equipment. It is a unit established as late as March 2023 and targeted to be engaged and play a significant role in the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia and in follow-on operations.

95th Air Assault Brigade - The 95th Air Assault Brigade has a storied history, including a daring raid behind separatist lines during the War in Donbas. They are battle-tested and highly skilled. The Brigade's inaugural parachute drops took place in 1994.

Additionally, it was among the initial airmobile groups to be honored with its Battle Flag on October 5, 1994. Up until the spring of 1996, all parachute operations utilized Mi-8 helicopters. As the summer of 1996 concluded in the northern hemisphere, the troops transitioned to using Il-76 transport planes for their jumps. These exercises were conducted near Smokovka and within the Brigade's designated training grounds, near the Starokonstantinin road by the Teterev River. The Brigade's designated parachuting area is situated close to the Singury settlement, approximately 10 kilometers from Zhytomyr. There is no precise data on how the unit maintains its jump status due to the heavy involvement in the frontlines against the Russians.

132^nd Reconnaissance Battalion—The smallest unit in the Corps, it has a special mission of collecting the most updated information from the battlefield. This unique skill set provides the other units with critical information in a timely manner.

148th Separate Artillery Brigade - The 148th is the firepower of the Air Assault Forces and already has a storied history, including a daring raid behind separatist lines during the War in Donbas. They are battle-tested and highly skilled.

The support elements consist of (some are still under formation process):

• 33^rd Combat Engineer Battalion
• 71^st Center for Morale and Support
• 102^nd Material Storage Unit
• 124^th Topographic Unit
• 135^th Management Battalion
• 170^th Logistics Battalion
• 199^th Training and Education Center
• 232^nd Unified Support Base
• 347^th Signals Unit

Parachuter’s Oath

I am a paratrooper of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

I am a soldier and a member of the military team. I serve the people of Ukraine and live by the laws of its armed forces.

I always put the combat mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I never save in the face of difficulties.

I will never leave a comrade-in-arms in harm's way.

I am disciplined, physically and intellectually developed, well trained and knowledgeable in my military specialty. I always keep my weapons, combat and other equipment and myself ready for action.

I am an expert and a professional in my field.

I am always ready to defend the Motherland, to strike and destroy the enemies of Ukraine in battle.

I am a defender of freedom and the people of my country.

I am a paratrooper of the Armed Forces of Ukraine