Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that assault troops will soon be legally established as a separate branch of the Armed Forces, according to Suspilne media.

Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy said that assault battalions and regiments formed in 2025 have demonstrated “good results.” However, Russian forces decided to copy this system, which contributed to the decision to formalize assault troops legally.

“We will now create separate assault troops, this decision has been made. Everything is being prepared now, and I think in about a week to ten days, everything will be working,” Zelenskyy said. “Modern assault troops with a drone component, with everything else. Of course, they work together today, assault regiments with the Airborne Assault Forces perform joint tasks.”

The president said that preparations are currently underway to announce this decision officially.

Recently, Hero of Ukraine Colonel Valentyn Manko was appointed to head the assault troops management within the Armed Forces structure. Previously, he commanded the 33rd Assault Regiment.

The formalization represents a significant restructuring of Ukraine’s military organization, elevating what began as battalion and regiment formations into a distinct military branch with specialized capabilities including integrated drone operations.