Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Day: The History of the SOF and Their Role in Modern Warfare

The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are one of the most elite units of the Ukrainian army, carrying out the most challenging missions on the front lines and behind enemy lines. Today, Special Operations Forces Day is not only a professional holiday for the military but also a symbol of courage, strength, and the modern Ukrainian army. Learn more about the history of the Special Operations Forces, the significance of the new holiday date, and the role of special forces in defending Ukraine

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The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are today considered one of the most professional and technologically advanced units in the Ukrainian army. It is the SOF fighters who carry out operations that are often not officially reported: they operate behind enemy lines, conduct reconnaissance, direct strikes, organize resistance movements, and carry out complex special operations.

Since 2022, Ukrainian special forces have become known far beyond the country’s borders, and many SSO operations regularly attract the attention of international military experts and the global media. Special Operations Forces Day is not only a professional holiday for the military but also another opportunity to thank the people who carry out extremely dangerous tasks every day for the sake of Ukraine’s security.

In our previous article, we discussed why there are two dates of surrender in World War II, how the Kremlin uses May 9 for its imperial ambitions, and why our departure from the myths of the USSR is final.

When is Special Operations Forces Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine celebrated in Ukraine?

In 2025, Ukraine officially changed the date for celebrating Special Operations Forces Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Now, the professional holiday for SSO soldiers is celebrated annually on May 27. The corresponding decree was signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Previously, Special Operations Forces Day in Ukraine was celebrated on July 29.

The new date is linked to one of the key events at the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war. It was on May 27, 2014, that Ukrainian troops carried out an operation to establish control over the new terminal at Donetsk Airport and raised the Ukrainian flag over it. These events became symbolic for the future units of the Special Operations Forces.

Today, the Special Operations Forces are a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and carry out extremely complex combat missions: from reconnaissance and special operations to working behind enemy lines and supporting the resistance movement in temporarily occupied territories.

In our previous article on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, we described how Ukrainians commemorate the bloody events and tirelessly fight for their right to independence.

The History of the Formation of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces

The Special Operations Forces are one of the youngest branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, yet they have quickly become among the most critical for modern warfare. The formation of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces began as early as 2007, when a Special Operations Directorate was established within the General Staff. However, the full-scale creation of a separate branch of forces was significantly accelerated by the events following 2014 and the start of the war with Russia.

The experience of the first battles in Donbas showed that the Ukrainian army needed mobile and highly professional units capable of operating in small groups, conducting reconnaissance, carrying out sabotage operations, and working behind enemy lines. It was then that the Special Operations Forces began to be actively developed according to NATO standards.

Officially, the Special Operations Forces were established as a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2016. Since then, SSO units have participated in the most complex combat operations, and after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, their role has become even more significant.

Ukrainian special forces carry out missions not only on the front lines but also far beyond them. Many SSO operations remain classified, yet it is these units that often play a key role in destroying critical enemy military targets, coordinating resistance movements, and conducting Deep Strike operations.

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Why did May 27 become a symbolic date?

The date of May 27 holds special significance for the Special Operations Forces due to the events at the start of the war in Donbas in 2014. It was on this day that Ukrainian troops carried out a successful operation to liberate the new terminal of Donetsk Airport and raised the Ukrainian flag over the building.

The operation became one of the first major victories for Ukrainian forces in the fight for strategic targets in the east of the country. It involved soldiers who later became the core of future Special Operations Forces units. That is why the decision was made to link the new professional holiday not to the formal creation of the branch, but to the actual combat history of Ukrainian special forces.

For many Ukrainians, May 27 is also a reminder of the beginning of the formation of the new Ukrainian army, which gained combat experience in real wartime conditions. It was the special operations units that were among the first to begin operating according to modern standards of combat operations and to adapt the Ukrainian military to new challenges.

In our previous article, we talked about the history of the approval of the National Flag of Ukraine.

What missions do the Special Operations Forces carry out today?

Since the start of full-scale war, the role of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces has grown significantly. Today, Special Operations Forces units carry out some of the most dangerous and complex missions both on the front lines and behind enemy lines. Some of these operations remain classified even years after they were conducted.

The main feature of the Special Operations Forces is their ability to operate in small, mobile groups under high-risk conditions and to quickly adapt to changes on the battlefield. Ukrainian special forces operate not only in active combat zones but also in temporarily occupied territories.

Among the main tasks of the Special Operations Forces are:

- Conducting special and sabotage operations;

- Military intelligence;

- Directing strikes against key enemy targets;

- Operations behind enemy lines;

- Organizing and supporting the resistance movement;

- Information and psychological operations;

- Participation in Deep Strike operations against strategic targets.

Over the years of the war, the Special Operations Forces have become a symbol of the Ukrainian Army’s professionalism. Many successful operations by Ukrainian special forces have garnered widespread international attention, and the experience of Ukrainian military personnel is now being studied by NATO partners.

To learn more about the results of the Gradus study “Ukraine 2035: Strength, Vulnerability and Potential of the Country”, please follow the link.

The Special Operations Forces (SOF) – a symbol of the strength, professionalism, and courage of the Ukrainian army

The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are today considered among the best-trained military units in Ukraine. Their work almost always involves extreme risk, and many operations are conducted in complete secrecy and far behind enemy lines.

SSO fighters carry out missions that require not only physical endurance but also maximum psychological resilience, quick decision-making, and absolute trust within the team. That is why special forces are often called the military elite of the Ukrainian army.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have become known far beyond the country’s borders. Their operations have repeatedly shifted the situation on specific sections of the front, and the professionalism of Ukrainian military personnel is now recognized by international partners and military experts.

For Ukrainians, the Special Operations Forces have become a symbol of courage, resilience, and a willingness to fight for the country even under the most difficult conditions. That is why Special Operations Forces Day holds special significance today not only for the military but for society as a whole.

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