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OrganizationUkraine's military consists of Armed Forces of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Збройні сили України, ЗСУ, Zbroyni Syly Ukrainy) and few other independent militarized insititutions. Armed Forces of Ukraine consist of Ground Forces, Navy, and Air Force (which has subsumed Air Defense Force in 2004). Other militarized insititutions include:
These militarized troops officially are not a part of Ukraine's Armed Forces, but supposed to fall under their command during wartime. The military and security forces are under the command of the Ukrainian President, and subject to oversight by a permanent parliamentary commission. The Ukrainian military's tactics and organization are heavily dependant on Cold War tactics, and former Soviet Union organization. Ukraine has however been pursuing a policy of independence from Russian dominance, and have taken steps towards closer ties with the West. In 1997, Ukraine and Poland signed an Agreement on the formation of a Joint Peacekeeping Battalion, which became fully operational in 1999 in the Kosovo Conflict. Ukrainian armed forces are largely made up of conscripts serving for various periods of time depending on the nature of service. The total personnel (including civilian workers) numbers at 303,800, although plans for reductions to around 275,000 exist. The branch structure is as follows (2004):
EquipmentThe Ukrainian military is equipped almost exclusively with Cold War equipment of Soviet design. Armored fighting vehicles include the standard T-55, T-72, T-64, and T-80 MBTs, and MT-LB, BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, and BMD-1. Plagued at times by hostile relations with Russia following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has been steadfastly trying to develop its own independent military industry. Notable results of this effort are the Ukrainian-built T-84 main battle tank, currently in service, and the aircraft manufacturer Antonov. Equipment statistics for the branches (including equipment in storage) are as follows:
MissionUkraine's stated national policy is Euro-Atlantic integration, including with both NATO and the European Union. Ukraine has a "Distinctive Partnership" with NATO and has been an active participant in Partnership for Peace exercises and in Balkans peacekeeping. This close relationship with NATO has been most apparent with Ukrainian cooperation and combined peacekeeping operations with its neighbor Poland, in places such as Kosovo and Iraq. Recent OperationsUkraine has been playing an increasingly larger role in peacekeeping operations. Since 1997, Ukraine has been closely working with NATO, and especially Poland. A Ukrainian unit is deployed in Iraq, as part of the Multinational force in Iraq under Polish command. A Ukrainian unit is also deployed in Lebanon, as part of the Polish-led UN Interim Force enforcing the mandated ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian troops are also deployed as part of the Ukrainian-Polish Battalion (UKRPOLBAT) in Kosovo. There is also a maintenance and training batalion deployed in Sierra Leone. Total Ukrainian Military deployement around the world is about 2,800 troops. Internal security during election unrestThe Orange Revolution was a series of peaceful protests (protected by some parts of the military against other parts) that overturned a fraudulant election for the Presidency in the winter of 2004-2005 resulting in the election of Yushchenko. On November 28, 2004 over 10,000 IM (Internal Ministry) troops mobilized to put down the protests in Independence Square in Kiev according to their commander Lt. Gen. Sergei Popkov. The SBU (Ukrainian Security Service, successor to KGB) warned opposition leaders of the crackdown. Oleksandev Galaka, head of GRU (military intelligence) made calls to "prevent bloodshed". Col. Gen. Ihor P. Smesko (SBU chief) and Maj. Gen. Vitaly Romanchenko (military counter-intelligence chief) both warned Popkov to pull back his troops, which he did. Senior officers known as the siloviki were successful in preventing election fraud, bloodshed and possibly averted civil war. Current Deployment outside Ukraine
See alsoReferences and Links
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