Ukraine Creates Assault Troops To Boost Counteroffensive Capabilities General Staff

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Major Andrii Kovalov, Spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff, said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

"In the fourth year of Russia's full-scale invasion, the nature of combat has changed significantly. In response, it was decided to establish the Assault Troops as a separate branch within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is a logical step in the evolution of our armed forces under modern warfare conditions. It strengthens our military capabilities, enhances defensive activity and resilience, and increases the effectiveness of counteroffensive actions," Kovalov said.

He emphasized that there are significant differences between the Air Assault Forces and the new Assault Troops.

The Assault Troops are rapid-reaction units that operate wherever sudden threats or problems arise, such as breaches in defenses or the loss of positions or settlements. Their primary task is to arrive quickly, deploy, engage the enemy, and restore lost positions. They do not hold designated defensive sectors and are focused on offensive, assault, and raid operations.

Kovalov explained that the Assault Troops are highly mobile and autonomous, often operating in assault companies or battalions independently within the sectors of other brigades that have suffered losses. In offensive operations, they can operate as part of assault battalions or regiments to breach enemy defenses or capture key terrain or settlements.

"The Assault Troops can be used to break through defenses and enable the main forces to enter combat," he said.

In contrast, Ukraine's Air Assault Forces operate within brigades or larger groupings and are capable of both offensive and defensive operations. In attacks, they are deployed on critical front sections to breach enemy defenses and advance deep into enemy territory over time. In defense, they secure important sectors or settlements. They also conduct airborne landings and deep raids behind enemy lines.

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The Air Assault Forces allow Ukraine to extend the zone of combat operations from the front line to the operational depth of the enemy, disrupt command and logistics systems, and create favorable conditions for the defensive forces to gain superiority in a given operational area.

"The main distinction of the Assault Troops is rapid response and the ability to act first, regardless of the situation. Assault regiments and battalions have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in active operations in Kursk, Sumy, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and other key front sectors. The command of the Assault Troops has now been established, led by Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Valentyn Manko," Kovalov said, adding that the Assault Troops will soon become an indispensable component of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Previously, on September 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the decision to create the Assault Troops, noting that they will include a drone component.

Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

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