Special Police Forces (Ukraine)


The Special Police Forces is a Ukrainian volunteer corps of law enforcement units, part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. They were formed during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine to strengthen the state’s capacity to maintain public order and security, and were later deployed to Eastern Ukraine as a paramilitary force to fight against Pro-Russian separatists.
The units were primarily composed of volunteers, including former police officers, reservists, and civilians. Similar to the Territorial Defence Battalions, which were under the Ministry of Defence, the Special Police Forces were volunteer formations but fell under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition, many of the units also had links with far-right and nationalist groups. In the first months of the War in Donbas, these volunteer forces took brunt of the fighting.
In 2023, as part of the Offensive Guard initiative, most of the former Special Police Forces battalion were reformed into the Liut Brigade.

History

In April 2014, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov issued an order to create battalions of special purpose within the Ministry of Internal Affairs structure.
Their goal was to protect public order and important facilities across Ukraine, but all of these units were eventually sent to the east to counter Russian aggression.
After the reformation of National Police in 2015, the units were reformed as Special Task Patrol Police units.
At war in Donbas, the forces of the Special Tasks Patrol Police have fought against pro-Russian separatists as a paramilitary force. Many of the units also engaged against Russian forces at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in 2023 most units were reformed and merged into the Liut Brigade as part of the Offensive Guard campaign.

Structure

Special Police Forces

Former special police units

Azov Battalion – a volunteer battalion which became notable for its participation on the Battle of Mariupol and controversial as it was formed by members coming from ultranationalist and neonazi parties. In September 2014, it was expanded into a regiment and transferred to the command of the National Guard of Ukraine.Shakhtarsk Battalion – A former all volunteer territorial defence battalion of mostly former convicts from Donbas established in Shakhtarsk in June 2014. In October 2014 the unit was disbanded after 50 members of the battalion were accused of looting and hooliganism. The battalion was then resurrected as the "Tornado" police battalion.Tornado battalion – After the "Shakhtarsk" police battalion was disbanded in October 2014 after 50 members of the battalion were accused of looting and hooliganism. it was resurrected as the "Tornado" police battalion. The battalion was about 100 people strong and most members were former convicts from Donbas. On 18 June 2015 the unit was disbanded after members were accused of looting, rape and torture. Initially the battalion refused to stop operations and disarm. Former battalion members were accused and arrested for smuggling cast iron from territory under separatist control.