Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)
The Special Operations Forces (Ukrainian: Сили спеціальних операцій Збройних сил України,, romanized: Syly spetsialnykh operatsii Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, abbreviated ССО, SSO) are the special forces of Ukraine and one of the seven branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with headquarters in Kyiv.
| Special Operations Forces | |
|---|---|
| Сили спеціальних операцій, ССО ЗСУ Syly Spetsialnykh Operatsii, SSO ZSU | |
Emblem of the Special Operations Forces | |
| Founded | 5 January 2016 |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Special operations Counter-terrorism Direct action Special reconnaissance Intelligence gathering Psychological warfare |
| Size | 1,000–2,000 (2022) |
| Part of | Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Garrison/HQ | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Motto(s) | Ukrainian: Іду на ви!, romanized: Idu na vy! (I Come At You!) |
| Color of beret | Steel Grey |
| March | "Song of the Brave" |
| Anniversaries | 29 July |
| Engagements | |
| Website | sof |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Col. Serhii Lupanchuk |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
| Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Cap badge | |
The SSO has the roles including various special forces-related duties such as direct action, special reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, sabotage and psychological warfare. They are not the only special forces units in Ukraine. The SSO was created in 2016, after various reforms of the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to failures in the war in Donbas, and the Ukrainian special forces groups were trained on the model of NATO reaction forces. Reorganizing by concentrating the special forces command into a single unified branch. Previously, military Spetsnaz were under the command of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), Ukraine's military intelligence service.