Military History - 1991-1996
On August 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the resolution "On military formations in Ukraine", which determined: "to subordinate all military formations stationed on the territory of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; to form the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine; The Government of Ukraine to start creating the Armed Forces of Ukraine". In fact, this resolution marked the beginning of the construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as an important institution of the state and an integral element of its military organization.
The history of the construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can be divided into a number of main stages: the first stage — the formation of the foundations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991–1996); the second stage — further construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (1997–2000); the third stage — reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2001–2005); the fourth stage — the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2006–2011). From 2012 to 2017, it was planned to implement a new stage of military reform — the reform and development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, in connection with the aggression of the Russian Federation, the implementation of the measures of this stage was stopped.
In the autumn and winter of 1991, important documents were prepared, which became the normative and legal basis for the formation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On October 11, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the Concept of Defense and Construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and decided to create the Defense Council of Ukraine, approved the composition of officials who are part of it, as well as the Regulations on the Defense Council of Ukraine.
The Concept assumed that Ukraine would gradually, taking into account all factors of national security, realize its intention to become a neutral, nuclear-free state in the future, which would not participate in military blocs, but instead would observe all treaties and agreements on the non-use of nuclear weapons. The concept determined that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would consist of three types: Ground Forces (Ground Defense Forces), Air Force and Air Defense Forces (Air Defense Forces), and Naval Forces. The Concept defined the powers of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
One of the most important and controversial problems in the entire complex of issues of the military sphere was the problem of nuclear weapons. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine became the owner of the third largest nuclear potential in the world. Military units in Ukraine were armed with 130 liquid-fueled intercontinental missiles RS-18 with six nuclear warheads each and 46 solid-fueled RS-22 missiles with ten warheads. Around the world, these missiles were known as SS-19 and SS-24, respectively. In Ukraine, the air component of the strategic forces was also deployed, consisting of 21 TU-95ms bombers and 19 TU-160 bombers with ammunition of up to 500 cruise nuclear missiles.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the principle of non-nuclearization, enshrined in the Declaration on State Sovereignty of Ukraine dated July 16, 1990. Ukraine undertook to export nuclear weapons to Russia for their dismantling under joint control. Based on the announced obligations regarding the nuclear-free status, Ukraine chose a compromise and the most realistic way to ensure its security in those conditions — the way of nuclear disarmament. Its concept was revealed in the formula: nuclear disarmament in exchange for joint control over this process, financial compensation and guarantees of national security.
On December 6, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted extremely important laws for military construction - "On the Defense of Ukraine" and "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine". On the same day, the text of the Military Oath was approved, which was first taken in the hall of the Verkhovna Rada by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Colonel-General K.P. Morozov. On January 3, 1992, the process of bringing troops stationed on Ukrainian territory to a voluntary oath of allegiance to the people of Ukraine began.
By Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 209 of April 5, 1992, the formation of the governing bodies of the Ukrainian Naval Forces began at the base of the Black Sea Fleet.
In mid-June 1992, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which determined the maximum levels of armaments and military equipment for Ukraine. It was necessary to reduce the number of tanks by 5,300 units, combat armored vehicles by 2,400 units, combat aircraft by 477 units. Ukraine began to implement these tasks already on August 18, 1992.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated January 28, 1993, the formation of a single type of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — the Air Defense Forces — began on the basis of the Air Force of Ukraine and the Air Defense Forces of Ukraine. Their final unification was supposed to be completed by November 30, 1995.
On October 19, 1993, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine considered the Plan for Organizational Activities in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Resolution "On the general structure, number and logistical support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" was adopted, which determined the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — 455,000 servicemen. At the same meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Military Doctrine of Ukraine was approved, which determined the need to bring the country's defense system in line with modern geopolitical and geostrategic conditions, review and clarify the tasks and content of the activities of all state structures, organizations and institutions involved in ensuring the military security of Ukraine .
In 1994, the interstate transfer of military personnel ended. From 1991 to 1994, about 12,000 officers and ensigns were transferred from Ukraine to other countries, more than 33,000 returned to the Motherland, including 27,982 officers.
Further construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of personnel and weapons. By the end of 1995, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was reduced to 400,000 due to the disbandment of some units and the improvement of the organizational and personnel structure.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated May 23, 1996, the command of the Ground Forces of Ukraine was formed within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is subordinated to the governing bodies and troops of the military districts.
In 1996, the process of uniting the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces was suspended due to the lack of an appropriate legal framework and well-founded theoretical provisions regarding the creation of a new type of Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On June 1, 1996, Ukraine completed the process of its nuclear disarmament, with not a single nuclear warhead or ammunition remaining on its territory.
Summarizing the first, most difficult stage of the construction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (1991–1996), it should be noted that despite various difficulties, the foundations of the national army of an independent state were laid: in a short period of time, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the system of management, training and comprehensive provision of troops (forces), etc.
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