Air Assault Forces Reassigned to Heavy Infantry Role

Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, long considered the elite of the nation’s military, have been relegated to a new role as heavy infantry capable of sustained operations, according to an interview given by Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi to 24tv.ua.

The strategic shift represents a fundamental reorganization of Ukraine’s combat forces, with newly created Assault Troops within the Ground Forces now assuming the rapid-response mission traditionally assigned to airborne units.

“If we take our Airborne Assault Troops, they are like elite heavy infantry, and assault troops are rapid response units. They are firefighters who put out fires in those areas of the front where there is a problem,” Sirskyi says.

Doctrinal Shift

According to the Air Assault Forces’ official doctrine published in 2020, the troops were designed to “quickly respond to various threats and challenges” and operate with “high maneuverability and autonomy.” Their core missions included disrupting enemy command structures, preventing enemy reserve deployment, fighting enemy airborne troops and groups that have broken through the lines, and seizing key terrain to facilitate broader operations. These are now tasks of the newly formed Assault Troops.

Air Assault Forces motto “Always First!” reflected this forward-deployed role. That designation no longer applies in practice, General Syrskyi indicated.

The August 2024 Kursk offensive illustrated the new operational hierarchy. The 225th Assault Regiment breached Russian border fortifications first, with Air Assault Forces entering combat only after the initial breakthrough was secured.

New Force Structure

The Ground Forces’ Assault Troops have effectively assumed the airborne forces’ traditional rapid-reaction role, according to Valentyn Manko, commander of the Assault Forces, in a separate interview with Babel.ua. Manko described his units as capable of deploying into combat within twelve hours – the capability for which airborne troops train.

Under the new structure, Air Assault Forces are tasked with expanding frontlines, establishing bridgeheads, and conducting active defense, while Assault Troops execute breakthrough operations.

The redesignation effectively transforms Ukraine’s airborne forces into what we can describe as enhanced mechanized brigades, despite maintaining their specialized training and stringent entry requirements. Unlike Air Assault Forces, Assault Troops can be deployed without extensive specialized training. General Syrskyi’s confidence in the new units has translated into priority allocation of manpower and equipment, even as the Assault Troops accept higher casualty rates to accomplish their missions.