History and formation of the paratroopers

Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine  – a separate branch of the military characterized by maneuverability and autonomy. The design allows them to be quickly deployed to defend specific areas, conduct offensive operations, to engage the enemy in combat from the air and conduct rear-guard operations. According to the doctrine, the Air Assault Forces forces execute tasks at the strategic, operational and tactical levels, acting as part of a joint forces or separately. At the tactical level, they conduct general combat actions, airborne assaults, raids, assaults, and airborne missions.

The history of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces begins in 1992, when, after the collapse of the USSR, according to the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of August 24, 1991, all military formations on the territory of Ukraine came under its jurisdiction. The transition of the soviet army's airborne units was difficult due to opposition from the russian leadership.

The 98th Gvardiiska Airborne Division, stationed in Bolhrad, was divided between Ukraine and russia in December 1993. The part that remained in Ukraine became the 1st Airmobile Division, which joined the Odesa Military District on June 1, 1993. On May 3, 1992, soldiers of the 224th training center in Khyriv have taken the oath of allegiance to Ukraine.

Due to the lack of specialized weapons, the airborne units of Ukraine were transformed into the Airmobile Forces, leaving the airborne component within the 25th Brigade. In 1992, the 95th Training Center was formed in Sumy, which was moved to Zhytomyr in 1993. 

As of 1993, the Airmobile Forces were structurally part of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and consisted of one airmobile formation, two airmobile military units, and two training centers:

• The 1st Airmobile Division (composed of: 25th Airborne Brigade, 45th Airmobile Brigade, 91st Artillery Regiment, 28th Separate Training Airmobile Battalion and a set of military units and support units) with home station in Bolhrad and Vesely Kut, Artsyz district, Odesa region;
• The 23rd separate airmobile brigade, home-stationed in Kremenchuk, Poltava region;
• The 224th Training Center for the Specialists of the Airmobile Forces with a home station in Khyriv, Lviv region;
• The 40th separate airmobile brigade with a home station in Mykolaiv;
• 95th Training Center for Junior Specialists of the Airborne Forces, home-stationed in Zhytomyr.

The reorganization of the Airmobile Forces of Ukraine in the 1990s was caused by the difficult socio-economic and political situation in the country. In 1997, the approved State program envisaged a transition to a brigade-battalion structure, which led to reforms, including the disbanding of the 1st Airmobile Division in 2003 and the creation of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade. 

In 1995, the 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade was created, and the 23rd Airmobile Brigade was transferred to the Border Guard Troops. The 224th Training Center was transformed into the 6th Airmobile Brigade, which in 1999 became the 80th Airmobile Regiment and later was redeployed to Lviv.

In 1999, the 79th Separate Airmobile Regiment was created, which in 2007 became a brigade, combining airmobile and aviation units. In 2012, the Command of the Highly Mobile Airborne troops was created, subordinated to the General Staff.

In 2013, the 80th Regiment was transformed into a brigade, and all airmobile units were equipped with artillery. By 2014, the Military Academy in Odesa had established a faculty of airborne troops and reconnaissance, which replaced the Lviv faculty. Ukrainian paratroopers took part in peacekeeping missions in Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Iraq.

Since the beginning of the russian aggression, the Ukrainian airborne troops have been actively countering the aggressor forces and pro-russian illegal armed groups. They were the best trained in the Armed Forces. After the annexation of Crimea, the paratroopers were immediately involved in the defense of the territories. The reconnaissance company of the 25th Brigade is the only unit that left Crimea with all its weapons.

Since April 2014, they have participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in the east of the country. The 79th Brigade covered the Crimean direction, while the 25th, 80th and 95th Brigades were the first to engage the hybrid forces of the russian federation. Paratroopers showed their courage in the combat actions near Sloviansk, Savur-Mohyla, Luhansk and Donetsk airports.

Given their combat experience, the airborne troops were reinforced with artillery groups and tank companies, and the 148th Artillery Division was formed. In 2015, the Command moved to Zhytomyr, where it strengthened the training and combat capabilities of the airborne units. In 2018, they were renamed the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which actively participated in the defense of the country from the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. 

With the outbreak of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022 units of the Air Assault Forces (AAF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were among the first to engage in combat in all directions. They participated in the defense of Mykolaiv, in the Donbas, and in counteroffensives in Kherson and Slobozhanshchyna. To strengthen the Air Assault Forces, new brigades, battalions and units were formed, and Western equipment was received.

Due to changes in field-combat situation, Air Assault units often operate as mechanized units, especially in defensive and offensive operations. To honor their bravery, on November 21, 2023, several Air Assault brigades were given honorary names, and a number of units were awarded for courage. As of 2024, the number of Air Assault units has increased significantly, reaching more than thirty thousand personnel.