The Armed Forces of Ukraine defend our country from Russian occupiers and fight for its independence.
ICTV Facts found out what the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is and how many military personnel are currently at the front.
What is the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the law, — this is a military formation entrusted with the defense of Ukraine, the protection of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the country.
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APU consist of:
- from the governing body – the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- three types of troops – Air Force, Naval Forces, Ground Forces;
- individual branches of the military – Signal Troops, Air Assault Troops and Cybersecurity.
Separate branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Special Operations Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Medical Forces, Support Forces, Logistics Forces.
The structure also includes: military units, formations, military command and control bodies, higher military educational institutions, and so on.
What is the number of Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024
The size of the Armed Forces is approved by the Verkhovna Rada. According to the data, at the end of 2012 the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was about 184 thousand people.
In 2014, after Russia’s invasion of Donbass and occupation of Crimea, the Ukrainian army took part in hostilities and began to increase the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In February 2016, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reached 275 thousand people. New parts have appeared — brigades, regiments, battalions, the command structure was also reformed.
In July 2021, the size of our army was approved at 261 thousand people.
In connection with the creation of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was increased by 11 thousand military personnel.
After the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine in 2023, there were approximately 700 thousand Ukrainians in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is three times more than in 2014-2021.
The number of women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has increased. Now they make up 7.3% of the total number of personnel.
As of October 2023, there were 43.5 thousand female soldiers and more than 18 thousand — civilian personnel. According to the data, about 5 thousand military women perform tasks in combat areas, and almost 13.5 thousand women have the status of a participant in combat operations.
At the same time, for example, in 2014, the total number of women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine was up to 50 thousand, of which 16.6 thousand were military personnel.
Regarding the number of Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2024, there are no specific figures yet. This year it is planned to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine and attract even more military personnel.
Ukrainian legislation provides that during a special period and during martial law, the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine increases in accordance with decrees on mobilization.
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, in an interview with the German TV channel ARD, stated that the strength of the Ukrainian army is 880 thousand people.
We have 880 thousand. We have a million-strong army. And at the same time, we have 30 million people now, now specifically 30 million people are working, and maybe even a little more. “I can’t say the exact number,” the president said.
It is worth noting that according to the Global Firepower rating, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are among the top five strongest armies in Europe.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine restrain the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, protect the air and underwater space of Ukraine and participate in activities aimed at combating terrorism.
