Ukrainian Ground Forces

Ukrainian Ground Forces. The Ukrainian Ground Forces form the land warfare component of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are the largest branch of the Ukrainian military. Established following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991, the forces inherited a significant portion of the Soviet Army's assets stationed on Ukrainian territory. They have since undergone substantial reforms, transitioning from a Soviet-style conscript force to a more professional, NATO-aligned army, a process dramatically accelerated by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.

History

The origins of the modern Ukrainian Ground Forces lie in the military formations of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Upon independence, Ukraine inherited one of the largest and most potent military inventories in Europe from the Soviet Armed Forces, including extensive stocks of tanks, artillery, and nuclear weapons. The early years were marked by drastic reductions, denuclearization under the Budapest Memorandum, and struggles with corruption and readiness. A pivotal shift began after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, which was immediately followed by the Russian annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of the War in Donbas. The initial conflicts, including the Battle of Ilovaisk and the Battle of Debaltseve, exposed critical weaknesses, spurring a volunteer-led mobilization and the foundation of new units like the Azov Regiment. This period of trial by combat initiated a fundamental restructuring, heavily supported by training missions like the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine and aid from the United States Department of Defense and other allies.

Structure

The operational structure of the Ukrainian Ground Forces is organized into several territorial commands and specialized branches. The primary maneuver forces are consolidated under operational commands, such as the Operational Command East headquartered in Dnipro, which oversees forces in the Donbas region, and the Operational Command North. The main combat formations include numerous mechanized, tank, and mountain infantry brigades, such as the 24th Mechanized Brigade and the 93rd Mechanized Brigade, which have gained renown in the war. Other critical components are the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and the Special Operations Forces (Ukraine), which operate semi-independently. Artillery and missile forces, including units equipped with the HIMARS and M270 MLRS, form a separate rocket and artillery command, while army aviation operates helicopters like the Mil Mi-24.

Equipment

The equipment of the Ukrainian Ground Forces is a mix of modern Western systems and modernized Soviet-era platforms. The main battle tank fleet includes upgraded versions of the T-64 and T-72, as well as increasingly significant numbers of Western models like the Leopard 2 and Challenger 2 provided by allies. Infantry fighting vehicles range from the ubiquitous BMP-2 to newer deliveries of the M2 Bradley and CV90. Artillery has seen a revolutionary upgrade with the introduction of precision-guided systems such as the American M777 howitzer and the French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer. The forces also deploy a wide array of unmanned aerial vehicles, from the reconnaissance Bayraktar TB2 to first-person view drones used for attacks, alongside advanced air defense systems like the IRIS-T SLM and Patriot missile system.

Personnel

As of 2024, the Ukrainian Ground Forces consist of approximately 200,000 active-duty personnel, bolstered by a large number of reservists and personnel of the Territorial Defence Forces (Ukraine). The rank structure follows a modified Soviet model but is gradually aligning with NATO standards. Service has been dominated by a large-scale mobilization since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, with many soldiers being wartime volunteers. The forces have integrated a significant number of foreign volunteers into units like the International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine. Notable commanders have emerged from the ranks, including generals Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Oleksandr Syrskyi, who later commanded the entire armed forces. The branch suffers from the constant strain of high casualties, a challenge managed through continuous rotation and training.

Training

Training has transformed from a limited, conscript-based system to an intensive, Western-supported program focused on combat effectiveness. Before 2022, key initiatives included the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine led by the United States Army at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv. Since the full-scale invasion, training has expanded dramatically, with tens of thousands of soldiers undergoing courses in countries like the United Kingdom under Operation Interflex, and in Germany, Poland, and France. These programs cover basic soldiering, specialized infantry tactics, combined arms operations, and the operation of complex Western weapon systems. Domestic training centers, often near the front lines, continuously cycle brigades through refresher courses, incorporating hard-won lessons from battles like the Battle of Bakhmut and the Battle of Avdiivka.

Recent operations

The defining recent operations for the Ukrainian Ground Forces have been within the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the forces successfully defended Kyiv during the Battle of Kyiv (2022), halting the Russian advance. In late 2022, they executed a highly successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv Oblast, liberating territories including the key city of Izium. The 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south, focused on the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, faced heavily fortified Russian lines, such as the Surovikin line, resulting in grueling attritional warfare. Current operations are characterized by active defense along a vast frontline, from the Battle of Kupiansk in the northeast to the intense fighting in the Donetsk Oblast, while conducting cross-border strikes and shaping operations with long-range precision fires.