National Guard of Ukraine

National Guard of Ukraine
Національна гвардія України
Active 4 November 1991 – 11 January 2000
13 March 2014[1] – present
Country  Ukraine
Allegiance Government of Ukraine
Role Reserve force / counter-insurgency
Size 46,000 (2016)[2]
Part of  Internal Affairs Ministry
Anniversaries 26 March[3]
Engagements 1992–94 Crimean crisis[4]
Transnistrian conflict (border security reinforcement Spring/Summer 1992)
2014 Crimean Crisis
War in Donbas
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lieutenant General Yuriy Allerov[5]
Insignia
Ensign

The National Guard of Ukraine (NGU; Ukrainian: Національна гвардія України, Natsionalna hvardiya Ukrayiny) is the Ukrainian national gendarmerie. It is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was originally created as an agency under the direct control of the Ukrainian parliament on 4 November 1991, following Ukrainian independence. It was later disbanded and merged into the Internal Troops of Ukraine on 11 January 2000 by then President Leonid Kuchma, as part of a "cost-saving" scheme. Following the early 2014 Ukrainian revolution on 13 March 2014, amidst the Russian intervention, the National Guard was reestablished and the Internal Troops were disbanded.[6]

During the ongoing war in the Donbass region of Ukraine, the forces of the revived National Guard have fought against pro-Russian separatists. The Azov and Donbass battalions are the largest volunteer units of National Guard by far with a strength of 1,000 and 900 soldiers respectively plus an extensive civilian support network.[7][8][9] [10]

History

The National Guard was recreated in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine" [Law number 4393] dated 12 March 2014,[11] (the draft legislation being originally introduced to the Ukrainian parliament on 11 March). A previous attempt by then President Yushchenko to bring back the National Guard during civil unrest in 2008 had been blocked in the Rada. It was finally re-established in March 2014 after the beginning of the Crimean crisis.[12]

The NSU was originally created by the Law of Ukraine "On the National Guard of Ukraine" dated 4 November 1991, № 1775 -XII. Dissolved by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine" dated 11 January 2000. During its early existence, the National Guard was indirectly involved in the Transnistrian conflict during the Spring/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 NSU (equipment transferred from the 93rd Motorized Rifle Division was also used in this deployment). Afterwards, up until 1998, National Guard units backed up the border guards in anti-smuggling operations conducted on the border with Moldova and Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region.

Badge of the NGU 1991–2000

Reformation

In 2014 the reformed force was to be created partially on the basis of the Internal Troops of Ukraine, with plans for militias and armed wings from certain of Ukraine's political parties and organisations, including the Euromaidan movement, to be also incorporated into it. However those plans have run into resistance from at least some of the latter, who do not wish to give up their weapons or otherwise subordinate themselves to government control.[13] Direct recruitment from military academies is also intended.[14] On 16 March, the Yatsenyuk Government announced plans for the recruitment of 10,000 people within the next 15 days for the National Guard.[15] Individual volunteers are also being accepted.

The 2014 law provides 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",[16] 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 the Criminal Code of Ukraine [lower-alpha 1] (i.e. it is intended to act as a counterinsurgency force against fifth columnists and infiltrators).

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).[17] 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.[13] 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.

3 National Guardsmen died in a deadly riot on August 31, 2015 at the Verkhovna Rada when a policeman on leave threw a grenade outside the facade.[18]

According to official figures, by mid-April 2016, 205 members of the defence battalions had been killed.[19]

Structure

Badge of the 22nd Separate Guards Brigade, assigned to Kiev for Diplomatic Protection (Diplomatic security) duties also known as military unit #2260[20]

Current

Pre-2000

At the end of 1992, six divisions were formed:

Other elements included, at various times:

Under the pre-2000 structure,[lower-alpha 9][lower-alpha 10] the National Guard administratively came under the Ministry of Internal Affairs but operationally answered directly to the President of Ukraine, though prior to 1995 parliament had some operational oversight. In the 2014 structure, it reports both administratively and operationally to the Minister of Internal Affairs, a position at present held by Arsen Avakov. In the old NSU, its overall Commander was originally appointed by the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) for 5-year terms. His Deputy Commander was appointed to the post by the President of Ukraine upon a submission from the Commander. However, in 1995 the system was changed so that both the Commander and Deputy Commander would be appointed by the President.

Also part of the NSU was the Military Council, which approved the personal staff of the President of Ukraine based on submissions from the Commander, and the Department of National Guard, an administrative entity acting in accordance with the terms of reference approved by the President of Ukraine. This included the Guard's secondary Disaster management role.[lower-alpha 11]

2014 Organisation

As of late March 2014, it was still in flux. However, current developments suggest that the 'new' National Guard will primarily be a Light infantry force, heavily reliant on reserve units with a few mechanized and armor support elements. This is in contrast to the 'old' National Guard, which was mostly a Mechanized infantry force, albeit one that incorporated a number of specialized formations and units, along with organic armor, artillery and air support elements.

The first of the new National Guard's regular battalions formally paraded on 6 April,[23] after only three weeks of training. The unidentified (Kiev based?) battalion consists of 500 members of between 18 and 55 years of age, and it appears to be tasked as a rapid reaction force, using soft skinned vehicles such as trucks for transport.

The 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade was formed as part of the National Guard on 2 June 2015.[24]

The commander of the National Guard of Ukraine is appointed by the president since 25 December 2015.[25] Up until then, the commander was appointed by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) under a motion from the President.[1]

Azov Battalion

Main article: Azov Battalion

Named after the Sea of Azov the unit was created in Mariupol which is a major coastal city and operates as the capital of Donetsk Oblast due to the occupations of Donetsk by insurgents. The unit was one of the first battalions to form and begin to resist the rebels playing a large role in the defence of Mariupol.[26] The battalion is mostly composed of Russian speaking volunteers from Eastern Ukraine and is headed by Andriy Biletsky.

The unit is known for far right agenda and has been reported as displaying Nazi symbols.The unit denies the allegation that they use Nazi symbols claiming that their logo is based on the Coat of Arms of Ukraine[27] while elements of the national flag are also used.

It was upgraded into a full regiment in 2015, and is the only one with foreign soldiers in their ranks. It is also the NG's only territorial defence regiment in service.

Donbas Battalion

Main article: Donbas Battalion
Semen Semenchenko, the leader and founder of the Donbas battalion wearing his trademark balaclava.

The most well known and first volunteer battalion to form to resist Russian insurgents in the Donbass, often referred to as the "little black men" as an analog to Crimea's Little green men. The unit was conceived and is headed by Semen Semenchenko, an ethnic Russian. It formed from local ethnic Russian volunteers of the Donbass region who disagreed with the separatist philosophy and wished to remain part of Ukraine but were dissatisfied with the inaction of Ukrainian government forces in the area. In effect it is an analog of the separatist formed Vostok Battalion which formed from ethnic Russians fighting for separatism.

Since its formation the unit became much more diverse accepting volunteers from all over Ukraine and foreign nations into their ranks, however ethnic Russians still make up the majority of the unit. The unit is one of the largest volunteer battalions in Ukraine with nearly 1,000 members and has participated in most major battles since the start of the War in Donbass.[28] The unit also aided in the defence of Mariupol when Russian forces invaded through Novoazovsk, the battalion sent several tank destroyers to slow the Russian advance. The offensive toward Mariupol was halted near Shyrokyne and Bezimenne.[29] The unit suffered heavy losses when Russia sent its regular forces into Ukraine in late August, encircling parts of Ukrainian forces by taking their flank as they were battling separatists.[30]

In September 2014 the unit was reorganized into a Regiment the bulk of which consisted of a 700-man Battalion Tactical Group. The Ministry of Defence stated that the unit would be armed with tanks and armored personnel carriers. A Spetsnaz unit within the battalion was also formed.[31] The unit has been re-designated as the 3rd Reserve Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine after being integrated into regular forces, but the Spetsnaz company remained.

Semen Semenchenko, the founder of the battalion, was elected to the parliament of Ukraine in October 2014 as part of the Samopomich party. It is unclear what will happen to the unit or who will be the new commander with Semenchenko being elected.[32]

Commanders

Training

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.[lower-alpha 12] 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 the March battalion system; based where possible around existing civilian militias and armed groupings. Most of those use the sotnya 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 the Yavoriv training center near the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. 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.[37]

Equipment

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Actions aimed at the violent overthrow, change of constitutional order, or the seizure of state power"
  2. ↑ The Institute and Senior NCO school were both created out of the Soviet era Kharkov Higher Military School of Logistics Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR
  3. ↑ The Novorossiysk-Kiev separate regiment was moved to the Ukrainian Ground Forces upon disbandment of the original National Guard.[16]
  4. ↑ Consisted of an administrative element and two primary units; the 51st Separate Helicopter Brigade and the 31st Separate Combat Helicopter Squadron. The former had 29 transport helicopters on strength at its formation, including Mil Mi-6s, Mi-26s, and Mi-8MTs. The latter had a initial TOE of 12 Mi-24 attack helicopters and 6 Mi-8MT transport helicopters.
  5. ↑ Active as such between 1992 and 1993. Afterwards gave its tanks up to the Ground Forces and became the training battalion for the 1st Division.
  6. ↑ Formed from the remnants of the 93rd Motorized Rifle Division. The tank battalion of a typical Soviet style Motor Rifle Regiment consisted of three companies, each in turn containing three platoons with four tanks apiece. Each Motor Rifle Division primarily consisted of three Motor Rifle Regiments and a Tank Regiment, the latter in turn containing three tank battalions each having a strength of 31 tanks (plus support elements including a ZSU AA battery). It is somewhat uncertain if the independent battalion was at its theoretical maximum full complement of 36 tanks upon its formation, however.
  7. ↑ In other words an Airborne Spetsnaz unit. Its primary role was special reconnaissance, though it also carried out other ISR taskings, as well as Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism operations during its lifetime, with corresponding name changes. May have had a few BTR-Ds on strength, but this is by no means certain.
  8. ↑ Likely closer to reinforced company strength in actuality.
  9. ↑ The Skorpion (Scorpion) unit, also known as the 'crimson berets', was originally the special forces battalion of the pre-2000 National Guard.[16] It is unknown at this time (late March 2014) whether it will rejoin the revived National Guard.
  10. ↑ The Kobra (Cobra) mountain-rifle battalion may have originally been the Guard's Alpine warfare unit, but sources are not clear on this point.
  11. ↑ According to the legislation that revived the National Guard, the 'new' Guard is supposed to have a similar role but there is no solid information on that aspect of its operations and responsibilities as of late March 2014.
  12. ↑ However, at least one regular battalion has been stood up with only three weeks total of training.[Early April 2014]

References

  1. 1 2 Turchynov proposes parliament appoint Poltorak as National Guard commander, Interfax-Ukraine (19 March 2014)
  2. ↑ [http://www.unian.info/society/1474054-avakov-announces-large-scale-cleansing-among-generals.html Avakov announces large-scale "cleansing" among generals UNIAN (17 August 2016)
  3. ↑ "President declares March 26 Day of National Guard". Interfax-Ukraine. 18 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Yaroslav Mezentsev (10 May 2011). Холодна війна за Крим. Як ділили флот у 1990-х [Cold war over Crimea. How the fleet was divided in 1990.] (in Ukrainian). istpravda.com.ua.
  5. ↑ "Poroshenko appoints Yuriy Allerov as National Guard Commander". Interfax-Ukraine. 31 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Рада создала Национальную гвардию Украины [Parliament has established the National Guard of Ukraine]. rbc.ua (in Russian). 13 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Ultra-nationalist Ukrainian battalion gears up for more fighting". Reuters. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Volunteers Bolster Ukraine's Fighting Force". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Ukraine underplays role of far right in conflict, BBC News (13 December 2014)
  10. ↑ "The women fighting on the frontline in Ukraine". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Проект Закону про Національну гвардію України [Draft Law of Ukraine on the National Guard; Act 876-VII] (in Ukrainian). Verkhovna Rada. 13 March 2014.
  12. ↑ В Украине объявили о создании Национальной гвардии: Начинается мобилизация опытных военных [The establishment of the National Guard of Ukraine is announced: Mobilization of expert military begins]. www.NR2.ru (in Russian). 11 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014.
  13. 1 2 Roman Goncharenko (20 March 2014). "Can the National Guard save Ukraine?". Deutsche Welle.
  14. ↑ "Ukraine creates National Guard ahead of Crimea vote". BBC.com. 13 March 2014.
  15. ↑ Chris Morris (16 March 2014). "Kiev expects West response after Crimea vote". BBC.com.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Ukrainian National Guard". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  17. ↑ Anthony Faiola (17 March 2014). "Ukraine mobilizes reservists but relies on diplomacy". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  18. ↑ http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-second-national-guardsman-dies/27220213.html
  19. ↑ "Avakov speaks of losses of National Guard". UNIAN. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  20. ↑ Військова частина 2260 (м. Київ) [Military unit 2260 (Kyiv)] (in Ukrainian). vv.gov.ua. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  21. ↑ Training center. NGU website. accessed 1 May 2014
  22. ↑ Martial way Novorossiysk 290 Red Regiment. 290 Regiment formed in April 1942 as part of mechanized infantry units of internal troops. During World War II the regiment had been about the protection and defense of the Georgian Military Road, took part in the assault and liberation of the city of Novorossiysk, for which he was awarded the honorary title of "Novorossiysk". The regiment performed garrison service tasks and elimination of hostile elements in areas liberated from Nazi occupation. In 1945, the work provided the Yalta Conference of State anti-Hitler coalition. On 24 November 1945, the regiment was relocated to the city of Kyiv, where the personnel performing the functions inherent internal forces (combat gang violence, criminal groups, public order and public authorities in Kiev). 1945-1947 years - units of the regiment took part in the fight against gang violence in western Ukraine. In 1970, the regiment provided the public order in Odessa for eliminating the cholera epidemic. In 1980 he took part in ensuring public order during the Olympic Games. In 198 5 he ensured public order at Moscow during the World Youth Forum. From 26 April 1986 till May 1987 took part in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident (protection of public order, combating looting). From 1988 to 1991 served as a peacekeeping mission in the Caucasus. In 1992 the regiment joined the National Guard of Ukraine. Only part of the National Guard of Ukraine carried out the functions and tasks that are at present assigned to the Internal Troops of Ukraine. After the disbanding of the National Guard of Ukraine in 2000 according to the Decree of the President of Ukraine, he was transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and at its base the 1 single Novorossiysk-Kyiv Order of the Red Banner Regiment of the President of Ukraine (in / hr A-0222). Source http://voiska.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=250
  23. ↑ Перший батальйон Національної гвардії склав присягу [First battalion of the National Guard sworn in]. Unian Agency (in Ukrainian). 6 April 2014.
  24. ↑ "Arsen Avakov: "The NGU light infantry brigade represents a new model of military unit" (PHOTOS, VIDEO)". Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  25. ↑ "Verkhovna Rada transferred the authority to name the commander of the National Guard to the president". Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 25 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  26. ↑ "Ukrainian troops drive rebels out of Mariupol". USA Today. June 13, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Russians Join Ukraine's Azov Battalion: Volunteers say Putin regime poses threat to Europe". Ukraine Today.
    "Ukraine underplays role of far right in conflict". BBC. 13 December 2014.
  28. ↑ Shynkarenko, Oleg (26 June 2014). "Volunteers Bolster Ukraine's Fighting Force". Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
  29. ↑ "Donbas battalion sends groups of tank destroyers to stop armored vehicles that crossed into Ukraine near Novoazovsk". Kyiv Post. 25 Aug 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-25.
  30. ↑ "Anti-govt forces 'circle 1000s of Kiev troops, capture 2 tank battalions' in E.Ukraine". RT. 25 Aug 2014.
  31. ↑ "Батальон "Донбасс" преобразован в батальонно-тактическую группу". Liga.
  32. ↑ "Список депутатов, проходящих в Раду по спискам и мажоритарке, - предварительные данные". 112.ua.
  33. ↑ NGU Commander Guard Lt.General V. Kukharets. Spetsnaz NGU. 24 March 2013
  34. ↑ NGU Commander Guard Lt.General O.Kuzmuk. Spetsnaz NGU. 24 March 2013
  35. ↑ NGU Commander Guard Lt.Guard I.Valkov. Spetsnaz NGU. 24 March 2013
  36. ↑ NGU Commader Guard Lt.General O.Chapovsky. Spetsnaz NGU. 24 March 2013
  37. ↑ Fox News
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