Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)

Special Operations Forces
Сили спеціальних операцій, ССО ЗСУ
Syly Spetsialnykh Operatsiy, SSO ZSU
Emblem of the Special Operations Forces
Founded5 January 2016 (2016-01-05)[1][2]
CountryUkraine
TypeSpecial forces
RoleSpecial operations
Counter-terrorism
Direct action
Special reconnaissance
Intelligence gathering
Psychological warfare
Size1,000[3]–2,000[4][5] (2022)
Part ofArmed Forces of Ukraine
Garrison/HQKyiv, Ukraine
Motto(s)Ukrainian: Іду на ви!, romanizedIdu na vy!
(I Come At You!)
Color of beret  Steel Grey
March"Song of the Brave"
Anniversaries29 July[6]
Engagements
Websitesof.mil.gov.ua
Commanders
Current
commander
Col. Serhii Lupanchuk
Insignia
Flag
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Cap badge

The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Сили спеціальних операцій Збройних сил України,, romanizedSyly spetsialnykh operatsii Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, abbreviated ССО, SSO) are the special forces of Ukraine and one of the seven branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with headquarters in Kyiv.

The SSO has the roles including various special forces-related duties such as direct action, special reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, sabotage and psychological warfare. They are not the only special forces units in Ukraine. The SSO was created in 2016, after various reforms of the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to failures in the war in Donbas, and the Ukrainian special forces groups were trained on the model of NATO reaction forces.[7][8] Reorganizing by concentrating the special forces command into a single unified branch.[9] Previously, military Spetsnaz were under the command of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), Ukraine's military intelligence service.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 23_ukraines_special was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ [1] [dead link]
  3. ^ The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. February 2022. ISBN 9781000620030.
  4. ^ "Ukraine conflict: Ukrainian special operations forces in focus". Janes. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Hunting the Invader: Ukraine's Special Operations Troops". Center for European Policy Analysis. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  6. ^ Zelensky signs off laws on national resistance, increasing number of troops, Ukrinform (29 July 2021)
  7. ^ "Українська частина сертифікована як Сили швидкого реагування НАТО" [Ukrainian unit certified as NATO rapid reaction forces]. MIL.IN.UA (in Ukrainian). 2019-06-24. Archived from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  8. ^ "Ukrainian spec-ops forces unit passes NATO certification, first time in history". www.unian.info. June 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  9. ^ "Міністр оборони України затвердив нові правила носіння військової форми одягу та знаків розрізнення військовослужбовцями ЗС України та ліцеїстами". Ministry of Defence (Ukraine). 2017-11-21. Retrieved 31 March 2021.

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