| National Guard of Ukraine Національна гвардія України | |
|---|---|
 Patch of the National Guard | |
 Emblem of the National Guard | |
 Badge of the National Guard | |
 Ensign | |
| Abbreviation | NGU |
| Motto | Честь, Мужність, Закон Honor, Courage, Law |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 13 March 2014[1] |
| Preceding agency | |
| Employees | 60,000 (2022)[2] ~90,000 (2022)[3] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Ukraine |
| Constituting instrument |
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| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Kyiv |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Ministry of Internal Affairs |
| Notables | |
| Significant operations | |
| Anniversary |
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| Website | |
| ngu | |
TheNational Guard of Ukraine (NGU;Ukrainian:Національна гвардія України,romanized: Natsionalna hvardiia Ukrainy,IPA:[nɐts⁽ʲ⁾ioˈnɑlʲnɐˈɦwɑrd⁽ʲ⁾ijɐʊkrɐˈjinɪ];abbr.НГУ/NHU[ˌɛnɦeˈu]) is theUkrainian nationalgendarmerie andinternal military force. It is part of theMinistry of Internal Affairs, responsible forpublic security. Originally created as an agency under the direct control of theVerkhovna Rada on 4 November 1991, followingUkrainian independence, it was later disbanded and merged into theInternal Troops of Ukraine in 2000 by PresidentLeonid Kuchma as part of a "cost-saving" scheme. Following the 2014Revolution of Dignity, amidst theRussian intervention, the National Guard was re-established, and the Internal Troops were disbanded.[1]
The purpose of the National Guard is to serve as amilitary unit withlaw enforcement powers. Its mission is to ensure state security, protect state borders (supporting theState Border Service), participate in activities to neutralize paramilitary armed groups, terrorist organizations, gangs and criminal organizations, protect critical infrastructure such asUkraine's nuclear power plants, diplomatic missions, and buildings of theMinistry of Internal Affairs.[6] The NGU has sent personnel toUN peacekeeping missions.[7] During peacetime the National Guard focuses on civilianpublic security, combatingorganized crime, and controllingcivil unrest.[1] During wartime the National Guard can be mobilized as a regular military force and take part in combat operations alongside theArmed Forces of Ukraine,[1] which it has done during thewar in Donbas[8] and the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9]
The National Guard of Ukraine was originally created by the Law of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine" dated 4 November 1991, No. 1775 -XII. It was created on the basis of part of theInternal Troops of the Soviet Union in theUkrainian SSR, while theInternal Troops of Ukraine also was established at almost the same time in 1992 as parts of the Ukrainian branch of the old Soviet Internal Troops.[10] The National Guard claimed to inherit the traditions and legacy of the Gendarmerie of theUkrainian People's Republic, which existed from 1918 to 1919.[11]
During its early existence, the National Guard was indirectly involved in theTransnistria War of theTransnistria conflict during the spring and summer of 1992, helping to defend the border against a threatened spill-over of the conflict into Ukraine. Formations involved were the 3rd, 4th and 5th divisions NGU (equipment transferred from the 93rd Motorized Rifle Division was also used in this deployment). Afterwards, up until 1998, National Guard units backed up theborder guards in anti-smuggling operations conducted on the border with Moldova and Moldova's breakawayTransnistria region. In 1994, the National Guard was also involved in the1992–1994 Crimean Crisis, which was an attempt by theAutonomous Republic of Crimea to declare itself sovereign after the1991 Crimean sovereignty referendum. The National Guard was sent to restore order and Ukrainian sovereignty over Crimea.[12]
In 1995, there were calls for the dissolution of the National Guard by political opponents of PresidentLeonid Kuchma, who accused him of dictatorial behavior after he resubordinated the guard to himself by decree. After Kuchma's re-election after the1999 Ukrainian presidential election, the opposition continued to demand the extinction of the National Guard, which was done in 2000 as part of a concession to the opposition by Kuchma and justified as part of a "cost-saving scheme".[13]
The National Guard was dissolved by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine" dated 11 January 2000, and merged with the Internal Troops of Ukraine, while some NGU formations were reassigned to theArmed Forces of Ukraine and thus were included in the order of battle of theUkrainian Ground Forces.[1]
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In 2014, amidstRussian intervention to Crimea, the reformed force was created partially on the basis of theInternal Troops of Ukraine, with plans for the "Volunteer Battalions",militias and armed wings from certain of Ukraine's political parties and organisations, including theEuromaidan movement, to be also incorporated into it. Direct recruitment from military academies was also intended.[14] The National Guard was recreated in accordance with theLaw of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine" [Law number 4393] dated 12 March 2014,[1] (the draft legislation being originally introduced to theUkrainian parliament on 11 March). A previous attempt by then PresidentYushchenko to bring back the National Guard during civil unrest in 2008 had been blocked in theRada. It was finally re-established in March 2014 after the beginning of theannexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.[15] On 16 March, theYatsenyuk Government announced plans to recruit 10,000 people within the next 15 days for the by now revived National Guard.[16] Individual volunteers were also accepted.
The 2014 law provided for an initial authorised strength of 33,000 personnel. It also tasks the National Guard with maintaining public order, protecting sites like nuclear power plants and "upholding the constitutional order and restoring the activity of state bodies",[17] in part a reference to the situation in Crimea, as well as to the perceived Russian threat to Ukraine as a whole. In the eastern parts of the country in particular, not only will the National Guard reinforce regular military units defending against a feared Russian invasion, it will also be expected to uphold Part 1 of Art. 109 of theCriminal Code of Ukraine[a] (i.e. it is intended to act as acounterinsurgency force againstfifth columnists andinfiltrators).
The National Guard will be receiving a large proportion of the money from the emergency budgetary reprogramming approved by parliament for the funding of weapons procurement, equipment repair, and training (said reprogramming is equivalent to $600 million in 2014 Dollars).[18] It is hoped that, eventually, the strength of the National Guard will rise to 60,000 personnel. The pay for National Guard regulars is approximately 214 Euros ($297) a month, equivalent to an average Ukrainian's monthly income. Officers receive about twice that amount.[19] There are also some attached Internal Troops personnel, mostly for training and/or logistical support purposes, e.g.K-9 teams that have been taking part in training and demonstration sessions.
During theongoing war in theDonbas region of Ukraine, the forces of the revived National Guard have fought against pro-Russian separatists and Russian troops disguised as separatists. Due to lack of reserves, earlier in the conflict willing civilians and political groups created their ownmilitias andparamilitary groups, known as the "Volunteer Battalions", to fight the separatists on their own.[20] The Battalions were credited to have held the line against the separatists and allowed the National Guard and theArmed Forces to reorganize and strike back. Some of the Battalions were placed under the aegis of theMinistry of Internal Affairs[20] Two of them were theAzov andDonbas battalions, which were the largest volunteer units by far with a strength of 1,000 and 900 soldiers. Due to the size and operational success of those Battalions, they were transferred to be under the command of the National Guard.[21][22][23][24]
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In May, the National Guard saw one of its first combat operations at theFirst Battle of Mariupol, where they clashed with pro-Russia militants and demonstrators during theunrest in Mariupol. They first attempted to occupy several government buildings before they were routed by National Guard riot troops, but soon the unrest evolved into heavy fighting between government and separatist militia forces.[25][26] Around the same time on May, separatist troops captured the terminal buildings ofDonetsk International Airport, the National Guard circled the separatist forces, issuing an ultimatum demanding the surrender of the separatists — which was denied — and theparatroopers launched an assault on the airport. The incident became known as theFirst Battle of Donetsk Airport.[27] On the same month, National GuardMajor GeneralSerhiy Kulchytsky was killed during theSiege of Sloviansk, when his helicopter was shot down by separatists.[28] On early June, aBorder Guard base and a National Guard were besieged in Luhansk and after 10 hours of battle the base fell after the guardsmen ran out of ammunition.[29]
On October 13, several National Guards troops protested outside the Ukrainianpresidential administration building in Kyiv, they demanded the end of conscription and their own demobilisation. According toKyiv Post, many of the protesters were formerInternal Troops who had clashed withEuromaidan protesters, and they were not in favour of that movement or the new government.[30]
Three National Guardsmen died in a riot on 31 August 2015 at theVerkhovna Rada when a policeman on leave threw a grenade outside the facade.[31]
According to official figures, by mid-April 2016, the Interior Ministry and the National Guard have lost 308 personnel since thewar in Donbas broke out, including 108 from theNational Guard's volunteer battalions.[32]
Beginning Thursday, 24 February 2022, the day the Russian Armed Forces invaded Ukraine,[9] the NGU has been active in many of the land battles fought by Ukrainian forces during the current war.
On the first day of the war, theRussian Airborne Forces (VDV) attempted anair assault on theAntonov Airport inHostomel, northwestKyiv, in order to do anair lift and bring more troops and heavier equipment to the capital in a military engagement that became known as theBattle of Antonov Airport. In the initial phases of the assault, the VDV expelled a small garrison of the National Guard and took control of the airport. However, the4th Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard swiftly reacted by launching an extensive counter-attack, using armored vehicles and artillery, that encircling the unsupported Russian troops and repelled the attack.[33] The airport was captured by a renewed Russian offensive the next day, but the airport was rendered unusable by battle damage. The actions of the 4th Brigade were credited with preventing the quick capitulation ofKyiv,[34] and led to theRussian offensive on Kyiv stalling and eventually withdrawing.[34]
169 National Guard troops were captured after thebattle of Chernobyl. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that "Currently, control over the situation at the Chernobyl NPP is being exercised jointly by Russian servicemen, Ukrainian specialists, the plant's civilian personnel, and that country's National Guard".[35] But later reports indicated they were captured and locked in a bunker for 30 days.[36] On 6 April, the Ukrainians officially announced the National Guard had retaken and reestablished control over theChernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.[37]
TheAzov Regiment was heavily involved in theSiege of Mariupol, being one of the primary defenders of the city.[38] The other units of the National Guard defending the city were the23rd Separate Protection of Public Order Brigade [ru;uk] and the12th Operational Brigade.[39] The Azov's origins as aneonazi andultranationalist militia, and its legitimization by the Ukrainian government and inclusion in the official structure of the National Guard has been a point of contention. It has been used by Russia to paint the Ukrainian government as Nazi-leaning, as justification for the brutality inMariupol and as acasus belli for the invasion itself.[40]
After the retreat of Russian forces from the Kyiv axis, the 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade was redeployed toEastern Ukraine, to fight on theeastern front of the war.[41] In the east, unit was involved at theBattle of Severodonetsk andLysychansk, where they fought a month-long defense of the twin cities.[42][43] And later in the year, the unit was deployed atBakhmut to fight in the gruelingBattle of Bakhmut.[44]
The National Guard began the raising of an additional 6 "Offensive Guard" Infantry Brigades in February 2023 to bolster its fighting forces under the recommendation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the remaining two under other agencies.[45] These brigades, unlike those under Army wartime control, report directly to NGU General Headquarters in Kyiv through operational commanders. Under these circumstances, and with most of the former Azov Regiment veterans of Mariupol (by now released if living) and other battles now reporting under the Armed Forces' overall command, the regiment was reflagged and reactivated, this time, as a National Guard Offensive Infantry Brigade, organized in like manner as the rest of its fellow brigades. Its success resulted in the raising of two NGU Corps-level commands in 2025 to better coordinate its military operations.
The National Guard of Ukraine is a military force under the command of UkrainianMinistry of Internal Affairs, and is tasked to protect public order, strategically important facilities and counter illegal paramilitary groups.[46] Originally formed in 1991, in 2000 the National Guard was disbanded due to financial issues, then restored in 2014 after theMaidan revolution on the basis of the formerInternal Troops of Ukraine, which formerly co-existed with the first iteration of the NGU.[47] During martial law periods, the units of National Guard are subordinated to theArmed Forces of Ukraine.[44]
As of 2023 the National Guard is structured in five Operational-Territorial Commands:
New recruits (those not transferring in from the Internal Troops, Ground Forces or military academies) will undergo an initial two-week compressed training course, covering a range of areas from firearms and unarmed combat, to map reading and communications. Those signing up to be full-time members of the Guard will receive at least an additional four weeks of training.[b] For those part-time members who complete their two-week training and return to their communities to await call-up, the authorities appear to be planning to implement a variation of theMarch battalion system; based where possible around existing civilian militias and armed groupings. Most of those use thesotnya as their basic unit, as does the National Guard itself.
In March 2015, the National Guard of Ukraine received training from the U.S.173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. The training took place at theYavoriv training center near the western Ukrainian city ofLviv. The 173rd Airborne paratroopers trained the Ukrainians on how to better defend themselves against "Russian and rebel artillery and rockets." Training also included securing roads, bridges, and other infrastructure and treating and evacuating casualties.[55]
Officers and NCOs of the NGU are trained under the aegis of the National Guard Military Academy of Ukraine.
Officers
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ukrainian Ground Forces[56] | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
| Генерал Heneral | Генерал-лейтенант Heneral-leitenant | Генерал-майор Heneral-maior | Бригадний генерал Bryhadnyi heneral | Полковник Polkovnyk | Підполковник Pidpolkovnyk | Майор Maior | Капітан Kapitan | Старший лейтенант Starshyi leitenant | Лейтенант Leitenant | Молодший лейтенант Molodshyi leitenant | ||||||||||||||
Other Ranks and NCOs
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian Ground Forces[56] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Головний майстер-сержант Holovnyi maister-serzhant | Старший майстер-сержант Starshyi maister-serzhant | Майстер-сержант Maister-serzhant | Штаб-сержант Shtab-serzhant | Головний сержант Holovnyi serzhant | Старший сержант Starshyi serzhant | Сержант Serzhant | Молодший сержант Molodshyi serzhant | Старший солдат Starshyi soldat | Солдат Soldat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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