Military History - 2013-20xx
After the refusal of the state leadership led by V. Yanukovych to sign the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union and the violent dispersal of a student rally in Kyiv on November 30, 2013, an open confrontation began, which later turned into the Revolution of Dignity. Even before the escape of V. Yanukovych from Ukraine, on February 20, 2014, the Russian Federation began a special operation to seize Crimea, which later turned into Russian armed aggression against our state and a war in the east of Ukraine.
Based on the need to protect the rights and interests of the citizens of Ukraine, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the state borders of Ukraine, the prevention of interference in its internal affairs, in view of the violation by the Russian side of the provisions of the Memorandum on Security Guarantees in connection with the accession of Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons weapons dated December 5, 1994, the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation dated May 31, 1997, as well as taking into account the decision of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation regarding the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine on March 1, 2014 The forces were put on FULL combat readiness, and on March 17, 2014, partial mobilization was announced in Ukraine.Since then, the state began to function in a special period.
Due to the aggressive actions of illegal armed formations in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which led to the termination of the activities of local authorities, the state leadership made a decision to conduct an anti-terrorist operation in these territories and perform territorial defense tasks. For the direct management of the forces and means involved in the anti-terrorist operation, an operational headquarters headed by the head of the Anti-Terrorist Center of the Security Service of Ukraine was created.
At the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in the east of Ukraine, the units of the Armed Forces did not have a sufficient number of weapons and equipment, the personnel was poorly prepared. Existing modernized and new weapons received by units of the Armed Forces in single copies did not affect the combat effectiveness of units and units. The tasks of protecting Ukraine were carried out thanks to the self-sacrifice and heroism of the soldiers. In the first period of the anti-terrorist operation, the volunteer battalions provided great assistance to the units of the Armed Forces.
Simultaneously with the increase in the grouping of troops (forces) in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the transition of the system of material and technical support of the Armed Forces, built according to the territorial principle, to functioning in the conditions of an anti-terrorist operation was carried out. At the stage of deployment of the logistical support system, the volunteer movement took over the solution of a significant part of the problems of the Armed Forces.
The development of events in 2014 showed that there was a need for fundamental changes in approaches to the formation of the foundations of state policy. Therefore, the non-aligned status of Ukraine was canceled, the implementation of the measures of the State Comprehensive Program for the Reform and Development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the period until 2017 was stopped, as it does not correspond to the current military and political situation and does not ensure the direction of available state resources to the priority directions of the development of the Armed Forces.
The state leadership determined the main strategic direction of the implementation of state policy in the field of defense — ensuring the readiness of the security and defense sector, the economy and society to repel armed aggression against Ukraine.
In order to end the conflict in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, the Minsk Protocol and the Minsk Memorandum were signed on September 5 and September 19, 2014.
During 2014, a set of measures was implemented regarding the relocation of the command of the Naval Forces to the city of Odesa and bringing its organizational and staffing structure in line with the tasks and available forces and means.
With the active participation of the Council of Volunteers under the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and other public associations, reforms have been initiated that have radically changed the situation in terms of providing servicemen with everything they need. According to the results of tests in combat conditions, modern personal protective equipment and equipment were adopted for the supply of the Armed Forces.
Significant efforts of the Ministry of Defense in 2014 were focused on improving the social status of servicemen in society by restoring previously suspended social guarantees and benefits, granting special rights to citizens who are called up during mobilization and take part in an anti-terrorist operation. The acquisition of the status of combatants is regulated and benefits are provided for servicemen participating in anti-terrorist operations.
In 2014, about 1,000 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of four national contingents and peacekeeping personnel took part in eleven international operations to maintain peace and security on the territory of nine countries of the world. During the year, as a result of the mobilization deployment of troops (forces), 4 brigades and 29 territorial defense battalions were formed, which were later re-formed into separate motorized infantry battalions. At the end of 2014, after the organizational measures, the number of the Armed Forces was 250,000 people, including 204,000 servicemen.
The heroism and personal courage, high professionalism of the staff, demonstrated in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, were awarded by the state. A total of 6,548 servicemen were awarded in 2014, including: 456 killed and 694 wounded, in particular: the title of Hero of Ukraine was awarded to 8 servicemen, 5 of them posthumously.
In general, 2014 was a test of courage, endurance, loyalty to the Military Oath and devotion to the state for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and went down in history as the year of the revival of the Ukrainian army.
Based on the results of a comprehensive review of the security and defense sector, in 2015 the National Security Strategy of Ukraine, a new version of the Military Doctrine of Ukraine, and the Concept for the Development of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine were approved. For the first time in its history, Ukraine has set a course for European integration and intentions to join NATO, and the Russian Federation was declared the main threat and probable military adversary.
A new edition of the Strategic Defense Bulletin of Ukraine was developed, and its public discussion was held. The State target defense program for the development of weapons and military equipment for the period up to 2020 was prepared.
The military-administrative division of the state was approved. The system of management of the Armed Forces was improved, and the Joint Operational Headquarters was formed. The creation of a separate type of troops — the Special Operations Forces — was brought to a logical conclusion, and the Command of the Special Operations Forces was formed. The training of troops was improved: instructors from the armies of NATO countries and the European Union have been involved in the training of the Ukrainian military. In total, more than 500 exercises were conducted.
In 2015, a system of civil-military cooperation was implemented in the Armed Forces to prevent the creation of preconditions for a humanitarian disaster in the areas of the anti-terrorist operation, the emergence of social tension in other territories of Ukraine, the formation of positive public opinion regarding the activities of the Armed Forces during a special period, and the elimination of the consequences of emergency situations in the Armed Forces.
Despite the constant difficult situation in the area of the anti-terrorist operation and the risks of the resumption of armed conflict, the main task of the Ministry of Defense was to reform the Armed Forces to create combat-ready, well-equipped, prepared for the tasks assigned to the troops (forces).
During 2015, the Armed Forces of Ukraine restored combat capability, gained combat experience, operational capability, the necessary level of technical equipment and material security to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, thanks to which they stabilized the situation in the area of the anti-terrorist operation.
The system of management and comprehensive support of the Armed Forces was improved: pilot projects have been launched for the management of state-owned enterprises, material, food and medical support for servicemen, automation of management processes and accounting and material movement processes.
Implementation of social guarantees for servicemen and their family members, including servicemen called up for mobilization, was ensured. Additional incentive rewards have been established.
The main efforts of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff in the field of peacekeeping activities were aimed at preserving the existing format of representation in international missions and continuing to fulfill Ukraine's international obligations with the involvement of the minimum necessary amount of material and financial resources.
During 2015, 6,739 people were awarded state awards of Ukraine (1,213 posthumously, 4,533 wounded) for their courage and heroism during the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, of which 14 servicemen were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, 5 of them posthumously.
In general, since the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation, 15 combat brigades, a regiment, 5 battalions (divisions), as well as a brigade, 6 regiments and 11 battalions of operational (combat), rear and technical support had been formed in the Armed Forces. The aircraft fleet and combat composition of the anti-aircraft missile forces have been increased, units have been formed to protect the airfields and starting positions of the anti-aircraft missile forces. The activities of 138 district and city military commissariats were resumed, thanks to which six rounds of partial mobilization were carried out and more than 200,000 conscripts were called up.
According to the initiative of the President of Ukraine — the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, supported by the Government, since January 1, 2016, there was a significant increase in the financial support of military personnel.
In the spring of 2016, conscription for military service in Ukraine was resumed. A total of 19,000 people were drafted into the Armed Forces, which made it possible to prevent staffing from falling to a critical level and to replace servicemen transferred to units involved in the anti-terrorist operation.
The food standards of military personnel have improved significantly and have been brought up to European standards. Medical support was significantly improved, the main measures of which were focused on increasing the individual safety of servicemen, and a course of medical, psychological and social rehabilitation of participants in the anti-terrorist operation was implemented. Military service in Ukraine is becoming prestigious, which has a positive effect on the public's trust in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The process of creating a joint Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian military unit LITPOLUKRBRIG was completed, which will enable the Armed Forces of Ukraine to implement advanced world standards of military training and increase their level of compatibility with NATO.
The defense of Donetsk (242 days) and Luhansk (146 days) airports, the defense of Ilovaisk, Debaltseve and Mariupol became a symbol of the courage and heroism of our soldiers.
Military patriotic work is an important tool for the moral education of servicemen, the main directions of which today are the perpetuation of the memory of hero servicemen who died defending the independence and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state, and the education of the population of Ukraine based on the heroic examples of the defenders of our Motherland.
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