Ukrainian People's Army
Encyclopedia
The Ukrainian People's Army , also known as the Ukrainian National Army (UNA) were often quickly reorganized units of the former Russian Imperial Army or newly formed volunteer detachments that later joined the national armed forces. The army for a long period lacked a certain degree of uniformity, adequate leadership to keep discipline and morale. Unlike the Ukrainian Galician Army
, the Ukrainian People's Army did not manage to evolve a solid organizational structure, and consisted mostly of volunteer units, not regulars
.
When the Tsentralna Rada
(Central Rada) came to power in Ukraine in spring of 1917, it was forced to promptly put together an army to defend Ukraine against the Bolsheviks. Nearly all units of the newly created army were detached from the Imperial Russian Army
. On March 29, 1917 the first organization of military forum the Ukrainian Military Club was organized at the Kiev Military District
on the initiative of Mykola Mikhnovsky
. Also during 1917 there were three All-Ukrainian Military Congresses that elected their representatives to the Central Rada. After the first such congress that took place on May 18–21, 1917 in Kiev
there was created the Ukrainian General Military Committee. The committee was placed in charge for creation and restructuring of the army. The head of the committee was elected the future first General Secretary of Military Affairs, Symon Petlyura. The next congress in spite of a ban placed by the Russian Provisional Government
took place on June 18–23, 1917 in Kiev. At the congress was read the 1st "Universal" of the Central Rada and the first elections to that institution took place. The last congress took place on November 2–12, 1917 and also in Kiev. Due to the civil unrest that was initiated by the Bolsheviks across the country also known as the October Revolution
the congress took longer than its predecessors as it was interrupted for a few days in order to create the first Ukrainian Regiment for the Defense of Revolution (headed by Colonel Yuri Kapkan). The main requests of the congress were proclamation of the Ukrainian Democratic Republic, full Ukrainization of army and navy, and an immediate peace treaty.
At the time, the Central Rada did not see the need for a standing army
, reinforced by conscription. Instead, a 'Free Cossack
' concept, (which was no different from a militia
) was introduced and ratified in November 1917. Only when the Bolsheviks invaded the Ukrainian People's Republic
, in December 1917, was the need for a regular standing army appreciated. The new organization was to include; eight infantry corps
and four cavalry division
s. But these plans were never realized, as the Rada was overthrown in a coup led by Pavlo Skoropadsky
, who brought the Hetmanate
to power in Ukraine. A temporary peace treaty with the Bolsheviks was also signed on 12 June 1918.
After taking power, the Hetmanate government established its own plans for a standing army. These were to consist of 310,000 military personnel divided into in eight territorial corps, with an annual budget of 1,254 million karbovantsi
. However, this army did not develop beyond the organizational stage, due to many dissident
movements and gross unpopularity of the Hetmanate amongst peasants and civilians. In November 1918, the Directorate
came to power in Ukraine, bringing with it yet another vision for the structure of the army. During this time, most units simply crossed from the Hetmanate to the Directorate with little organizational change occurring.
the Ukrainian People's Republic in January 1918. After several weeks of battle, the Red Army
overwhelmed the fairly small Ukrainian force, and took Kiev on February 9. This forced the Central Rada to seek help from the Central powers
of World War I
. After signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
, the Ukrainian Army was to receive assistance in fighting the Red Army. A German
-Austrian offensive removed the Bolsheviks from Kiev in early March, and the Rada government returned to the capital. In April, the Red Army was forced to completely retreat from Ukraine, and a peace treaty was signed.
In December 1918, after the Directorate's
coming to power, the army reached its peak at an estimated 100,000 recruits. In January 1919, Ukraine declared war on Soviet Russia
, after the latter established a provisional government in Kharkiv
, proclaiming the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Simultaneously, the West Ukrainian People's Republic had taken Lviv
, thereby beginning a war with the Second Polish Republic
. In January 1919, the Ukrainian People's Army and the Ukrainian Galician Army
united
, after the West Ukrainian People's Republic had been completely occupied by Polish forces, and Kiev by Soviet forces. Symon Petlyura became the commander in chief of the new Ukrainian Army. But the united armies suffered severe casualties in their suicidal war against the Polish army, Denikin's Whites
and the Bolsheviks. Therefore, Ukraine signed an armistice with the Entente
and later with Poland on May 1919.
After failing to capture Kiev on their own, the Ukrainian army signed the Treaty of Warsaw
with Poland, in April 1920. Under the treaty, Ukrainian forces fought side by side
with Polish forces against Soviet Russia and other Ukrainian 'Red' movements (Denikin, the Germans and the Entente had long since been expelled from Ukraine). Following a decisive failure in the Kiev Offensive, Ukrainian presence only decreased in the seesaw Polish-Soviet war. Until finally the newly founded Soviet Union and Poland signed the Treaty of Riga on March 18, 1921, ending the war. The small remnants of the Ukrainian People's army either resorted to Guerrilla warfare
or joined the Polish Army.
.
The original structure of the army, as designated by the Tsentralna Rada
, planned to organize an optimistic eight infantry corps and four cavalry divisions. But these plans were never realized due to the internal struggle for power in Ukraine. Instead, the army was hastily formed of various armed volunteer units and 'Free Cossacks
'. But in May 1919 (long after the Directorate
assumed power), the Ukrainian people's army was forced to reorganize after its manpower dropped from 100,000 to 15,000 in just five months of warfare with Soviet Russia
. The new, semi-organized structure was made up of five brigade-sized "army groups" and a large number of 'Free Cossacks
':
In May 1920 in the middle of the Polish-Soviet War
, the army was once again forced to reorganize, after its strength more than doubled in size. The new structure included: six infantry
and one cavalry
division
. Each infantry division was to have three brigade
s armed with artillery
, a cavalry regiment
and an engineer
regiment. The single cavalry division had six mounted regiments. The formation of six reserve brigades was also attempted, but this was only partially successful. The reinforcement brigades were later made into an under strength, two brigade machine gun division. Thus, the structure was, as follows:
. The military representative in the Directorate of Ukraine
, Symon Petliura was given the rank of the Chief Otaman. The new position was introduced by the former Russian General and later Otaman Oleksander Hrekov
.
Ranks (in descending order) since end of 1917:
General ranks
Other officers
Enlisted
Ranks have altered in June 1918, but only for officers:
General (Heneral)
non-General
On sopkas of Manchuria
(1907). The poem is called We remember (My pamiatayem).
Ukrainian Galician Army
Ukrainian Galician Army , was the Ukrainian military of the West Ukrainian National Republic during and after the Polish-Ukrainian War. -Military equipment:...
, the Ukrainian People's Army did not manage to evolve a solid organizational structure, and consisted mostly of volunteer units, not regulars
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
.
Creation
Military CongressesWhen the Tsentralna Rada
Tsentralna Rada
The Tsentralna Rada or Central Rada at first was the All-Ukrainian council that united political, public, cultural, professional organizations. Later after the All-Ukrainian National Congress that council became the revolutionary parliament of Ukraine...
(Central Rada) came to power in Ukraine in spring of 1917, it was forced to promptly put together an army to defend Ukraine against the Bolsheviks. Nearly all units of the newly created army were detached from the Imperial Russian Army
Imperial Russian Army
The Imperial Russian Army was the land armed force of the Russian Empire, active from around 1721 to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the early 1850s, the Russian army consisted of around 938,731 regular soldiers and 245,850 irregulars . Until the time of military reform of Dmitry Milyutin in...
. On March 29, 1917 the first organization of military forum the Ukrainian Military Club was organized at the Kiev Military District
Kiev Military District
The Kiev Military District was a Russian unit of military-administrative division of the Imperial Russian Army and subsequently of the Ukrainian Army, RKKA, and Soviet Armed Forces...
on the initiative of Mykola Mikhnovsky
Mykola Mikhnovsky
Mykola Ivanovich Mikhnovsky - Ukrainian political and social activist, lawyer, journalist, founder, ideologue and leader of an Ukrainian independence movement in the late nineteenth - early twentieth century...
. Also during 1917 there were three All-Ukrainian Military Congresses that elected their representatives to the Central Rada. After the first such congress that took place on May 18–21, 1917 in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
there was created the Ukrainian General Military Committee. The committee was placed in charge for creation and restructuring of the army. The head of the committee was elected the future first General Secretary of Military Affairs, Symon Petlyura. The next congress in spite of a ban placed by the Russian Provisional Government
Russian Provisional Government
The Russian Provisional Government was the short-lived administrative body which sought to govern Russia immediately following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II . On September 14, the State Duma of the Russian Empire was officially dissolved by the newly created Directorate, and the country was...
took place on June 18–23, 1917 in Kiev. At the congress was read the 1st "Universal" of the Central Rada and the first elections to that institution took place. The last congress took place on November 2–12, 1917 and also in Kiev. Due to the civil unrest that was initiated by the Bolsheviks across the country also known as the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
the congress took longer than its predecessors as it was interrupted for a few days in order to create the first Ukrainian Regiment for the Defense of Revolution (headed by Colonel Yuri Kapkan). The main requests of the congress were proclamation of the Ukrainian Democratic Republic, full Ukrainization of army and navy, and an immediate peace treaty.
At the time, the Central Rada did not see the need for a standing army
Standing army
A standing army is a professional permanent army. It is composed of full-time career soldiers and is not disbanded during times of peace. It differs from army reserves, who are activated only during wars or natural disasters...
, reinforced by conscription. Instead, a 'Free Cossack
Free Cossacks
Free Cossacks was the Ukrainian association volunteer militia units that arose somewhat spontaneously during the decomposition of the Russian Imperial Army in spring of 1917....
' concept, (which was no different from a militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
) was introduced and ratified in November 1917. Only when the Bolsheviks invaded the Ukrainian People's Republic
Ukrainian People's Republic
The Ukrainian People's Republic or Ukrainian National Republic was a republic that was declared in part of the territory of modern Ukraine after the Russian Revolution, eventually headed by Symon Petliura.-Revolutionary Wave:...
, in December 1917, was the need for a regular standing army appreciated. The new organization was to include; eight infantry corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
and four cavalry division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s. But these plans were never realized, as the Rada was overthrown in a coup led by Pavlo Skoropadsky
Pavlo Skoropadsky
Pavlo Petrovych Skoropadskyi 3 May 1873, Wiesbaden, Germany – 26 April 1945, Metten monastery clinic, Bavaria, Germany) was a Ukrainian politician, earlier an aristocrat and decorated Imperial Russian Army general...
, who brought the Hetmanate
Hetmanate
The Ukrainian State or The Hetmanate was a short-lived polity in Ukraine, installed by Ukrainian Cossacks and military organizations under the support of the Central Powers, after disbanding the Central Rada of the Ukrainian National Republic on 28 April 1918.-History:On April 29, 1918 the head...
to power in Ukraine. A temporary peace treaty with the Bolsheviks was also signed on 12 June 1918.
Ukrainian karbovanets
The karbovanets has been a distinct unit of currency in Ukraine during three separate periods. The name is also used in the Ukrainian language for the Imperial ruble and the Soviet ruble, but not for the modern Russian ruble....
. However, this army did not develop beyond the organizational stage, due to many dissident
Dissent
Dissent is a sentiment or philosophy of non-agreement or opposition to a prevailing idea or an entity...
movements and gross unpopularity of the Hetmanate amongst peasants and civilians. In November 1918, the Directorate
Directorate of Ukraine
The Directorate, or Directory was a provisional revolutionary state committee of the Ukrainian National Republic, formed in 1918 by the Ukrainian National Union in rebellion against Skoropadsky's regime....
came to power in Ukraine, bringing with it yet another vision for the structure of the army. During this time, most units simply crossed from the Hetmanate to the Directorate with little organizational change occurring.
War of Independence
The Bolsheviks first invadedUkrainian-Soviet War
The Ukrainian–Soviet War of 1917–21 was a military conflict between the Ukrainian People's Republic and pro-Bolshevik forces for the control of Ukraine after the dissolution of the Russian Empire.-Background:...
the Ukrainian People's Republic in January 1918. After several weeks of battle, the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
overwhelmed the fairly small Ukrainian force, and took Kiev on February 9. This forced the Central Rada to seek help from the Central powers
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, mediated by South African Andrik Fuller, at Brest-Litovsk between Russia and the Central Powers, headed by Germany, marking Russia's exit from World War I.While the treaty was practically obsolete before the end of the year,...
, the Ukrainian Army was to receive assistance in fighting the Red Army. A German
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
-Austrian offensive removed the Bolsheviks from Kiev in early March, and the Rada government returned to the capital. In April, the Red Army was forced to completely retreat from Ukraine, and a peace treaty was signed.
In December 1918, after the Directorate's
Directorate of Ukraine
The Directorate, or Directory was a provisional revolutionary state committee of the Ukrainian National Republic, formed in 1918 by the Ukrainian National Union in rebellion against Skoropadsky's regime....
coming to power, the army reached its peak at an estimated 100,000 recruits. In January 1919, Ukraine declared war on Soviet Russia
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
, after the latter established a provisional government in Kharkiv
Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, proclaiming the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Simultaneously, the West Ukrainian People's Republic had taken Lviv
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
, thereby beginning a war with the Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
. In January 1919, the Ukrainian People's Army and the Ukrainian Galician Army
Ukrainian Galician Army
Ukrainian Galician Army , was the Ukrainian military of the West Ukrainian National Republic during and after the Polish-Ukrainian War. -Military equipment:...
united
Act Zluky
The Unification Act was an agreement signed on January 22, 1919 by the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic on the St. Sophia Square in Kiev...
, after the West Ukrainian People's Republic had been completely occupied by Polish forces, and Kiev by Soviet forces. Symon Petlyura became the commander in chief of the new Ukrainian Army. But the united armies suffered severe casualties in their suicidal war against the Polish army, Denikin's Whites
White movement
The White movement and its military arm the White Army - known as the White Guard or the Whites - was a loose confederation of Anti-Communist forces.The movement comprised one of the politico-military Russian forces who fought...
and the Bolsheviks. Therefore, Ukraine signed an armistice with the Entente
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
and later with Poland on May 1919.
After failing to capture Kiev on their own, the Ukrainian army signed the Treaty of Warsaw
Treaty of Warsaw (1920)
The Treaty of Warsaw of April 1920 was an alliance between the Second Polish Republic, represented by Józef Piłsudski, and the Ukrainian People's Republic, represented by Symon Petlura, against Bolshevik Russia...
with Poland, in April 1920. Under the treaty, Ukrainian forces fought side by side
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
with Polish forces against Soviet Russia and other Ukrainian 'Red' movements (Denikin, the Germans and the Entente had long since been expelled from Ukraine). Following a decisive failure in the Kiev Offensive, Ukrainian presence only decreased in the seesaw Polish-Soviet war. Until finally the newly founded Soviet Union and Poland signed the Treaty of Riga on March 18, 1921, ending the war. The small remnants of the Ukrainian People's army either resorted to Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
or joined the Polish Army.
Structure
The headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed forces was called the General BulawaChief of the General Staff (Ukraine)
The Chief of the General Staff is the chief of staff of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He is appointed by the President of Ukraine. If the Minister of Ukraine is a civilian the Chief of the General Staff becomes the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces...
.
The original structure of the army, as designated by the Tsentralna Rada
Tsentralna Rada
The Tsentralna Rada or Central Rada at first was the All-Ukrainian council that united political, public, cultural, professional organizations. Later after the All-Ukrainian National Congress that council became the revolutionary parliament of Ukraine...
, planned to organize an optimistic eight infantry corps and four cavalry divisions. But these plans were never realized due to the internal struggle for power in Ukraine. Instead, the army was hastily formed of various armed volunteer units and 'Free Cossacks
Free Cossacks
Free Cossacks was the Ukrainian association volunteer militia units that arose somewhat spontaneously during the decomposition of the Russian Imperial Army in spring of 1917....
'. But in May 1919 (long after the Directorate
Directorate of Ukraine
The Directorate, or Directory was a provisional revolutionary state committee of the Ukrainian National Republic, formed in 1918 by the Ukrainian National Union in rebellion against Skoropadsky's regime....
assumed power), the Ukrainian people's army was forced to reorganize after its manpower dropped from 100,000 to 15,000 in just five months of warfare with Soviet Russia
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
. The new, semi-organized structure was made up of five brigade-sized "army groups" and a large number of 'Free Cossacks
Free Cossacks
Free Cossacks was the Ukrainian association volunteer militia units that arose somewhat spontaneously during the decomposition of the Russian Imperial Army in spring of 1917....
':
- Zaporozhian Corps
- Sich RiflemenSich RiflemenThe Sich Riflemen Halych-Bukovyna Kurin were one of the first regular military units of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The unit operated from 1917 to 1919 and was formed from Ukrainian soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army, local population and former commanders of the Ukrainian Sich...
, which were disbanded in late 1919 (5,000 servicemen) - Zaporizhtsy group (3,000 servicemen)
- Volynska group (4,000 servicemen)
- UdovychenkoOleksandr UdovychenkoOleksandr Ivanovych Udovychenko , February 20, 1887 - April 19, 1975, was a General of the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic and a military administrator...
's regiment (1,200 servicemen) - Tutunnyka's group (1,500)
- Sich Riflemen
In May 1920 in the middle of the Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
, the army was once again forced to reorganize, after its strength more than doubled in size. The new structure included: six infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and one cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
. Each infantry division was to have three brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s armed with artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
, a cavalry regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
and an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
regiment. The single cavalry division had six mounted regiments. The formation of six reserve brigades was also attempted, but this was only partially successful. The reinforcement brigades were later made into an under strength, two brigade machine gun division. Thus, the structure was, as follows:
- Zaporozhian Corps
- 1st Infantry Zaporizhska Division
- 2nd Infantry Volynska Division
- 3rd Infantry Zalizna Division
- 4th Infantry Kyivska Division
- 5th Infantry Khernoska Division
- 6th Infantry Sichovykh Striltsiv Division
- 1st Machine Gun Division
- 1st Cavalry Division
Ranks and insignia
Upon the reformation that took place among the Ukrainian military units the older Russian rank structure and insignia were dropped and replaced with one of the Hetmanate times. Most notable is the introduction of the rank of Otaman that replaced the General ranks of the Russian army. The army headquarters became known as the General BulawaChief of the General Staff (Ukraine)
The Chief of the General Staff is the chief of staff of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He is appointed by the President of Ukraine. If the Minister of Ukraine is a civilian the Chief of the General Staff becomes the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces...
. The military representative in the Directorate of Ukraine
Directorate of Ukraine
The Directorate, or Directory was a provisional revolutionary state committee of the Ukrainian National Republic, formed in 1918 by the Ukrainian National Union in rebellion against Skoropadsky's regime....
, Symon Petliura was given the rank of the Chief Otaman. The new position was introduced by the former Russian General and later Otaman Oleksander Hrekov
Oleksander Hrekov
Oleksander Petrovych Hrekov was a general of the Imperial Russian Army, Ukrainian People's Army, military professor and one of the most prominent personalities in the History of Ukraine...
.
Ranks (in descending order) since end of 1917:
General ranks
- Otaman Frontu
- Otaman Armii
- Otaman Korpusu
- Otaman Divizii
- Otaman Brihady (Brigadier generalBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
)
Other officers
- Polkovnyk (ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
) - Osavul (Lieutenant colonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
) - Kurinny (MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
) - Sotnyk (Captain)
- Pivsotenny (LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
)
Enlisted
- Bunchuzhny (Company SergeantFirst SergeantFirst sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
) - Chotar (Platoon SergeantPlatoon SergeantIn many militaries, a platoon sergeant is the senior enlisted member of a platoon, who advises and supports the platoon's commanding officer in leading the unit.-Singapore:...
) - Royovyi (SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
) - Kozak (see Cossacks)
Ranks have altered in June 1918, but only for officers:
General (Heneral)
- Heneralnyi Bunchuzhnyi (GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
) - Heneralnyi Znachkovyi (Lieutenant generalLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
) - Heneralnyi Khorunzhyi (Major generalMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
)
non-General
- Polkovnyk (ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
) - Viyskova Starshyna (Lieutenant colonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
) - Sotnyk (Captain)
- Znachkovyi (LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
) - Khorunzhyi (2 Lieutenant)
Main military formations (UPR)
- 1st Ukrainian Corps, former 34th Russian Corps
- 2nd Sich Zaporizhian Corps, former 6th Russian Corps
- Kurin of Sich RiflemenSich RiflemenThe Sich Riflemen Halych-Bukovyna Kurin were one of the first regular military units of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The unit operated from 1917 to 1919 and was formed from Ukrainian soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army, local population and former commanders of the Ukrainian Sich...
(not to be confused with the Austrian military formation of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen), formed out of the Austrian prisoners of war interned in Russian concentration camps- Cavalry Regiment of Sich Riflemen
- Khmelnytsky Cossack Regiment (Bohdanivtsi)
- Polubotko Cossack Regiment (Polubotkivtsi)
- Zaporizhian Corps
- 1st Zaporizhian Infantry Regiment (Hetman Doroshenko IR)
- 2nd Zaporizhian Infantry Regiment
- 3rd Zaporizhian Infantry Regiment (Hetman Khmelnytsky IR)
- 3rd Haidamaka Infantry Regiment
- 1st Zaporizhian Regiment of Haidamaka Cavalry (Kosh Hordienko Cavalry)
- 1st Zaporizhian Engineer Regiment
- 1st Zaporizhian Artillery Regiment
- 1st Zaporizhian Auto-Armor Division
- Cavalry-Mountainous Artillery Division
- Zaporizhian Air-Floating Squadron
- Black Zaporizhians (1 Cavalry Regiment of Black Zaporizhians)
- Free CossacksFree CossacksFree Cossacks was the Ukrainian association volunteer militia units that arose somewhat spontaneously during the decomposition of the Russian Imperial Army in spring of 1917....
- Ukrainian Steppe Division (Anti-Bolshevik revolutionary-military unit)
- Ukrainian Marines
- 1st Hutsul Marines Regiment
- 2nd Hutsul Marines Regiment
- 3rd Marines Regiment
- 1st Riflemen-Cavalry Division (Gray-Coats)
- Blue-Coats
- Sloboda Ukraine Haidamaka Kosh
- Black Haidamaka Kurin
- Red Haidamaka Kurin
- 3rd Iron Riflemen Division
- Sich Riflemen Light Artillery Regiment
- Don Cossack Regiment (mounted)
- 20th Pavlohrad Cavalry Regiment
- 6th Sich Division (former 2nd Division)
- Kiev Insurgent Division of Yu.Tyutyunyk
- Ukrainian NavyUkrainian NavyThe Ukrainian Naval Forces is the navy of Ukraine and part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was established in 1992. It consists of 5 branches: surface forces, submarine forces, Navy aviation, coast rocket-artillery and marines...
Main military formations (WUPR)
- Ukrainian Galician ArmyUkrainian Galician ArmyUkrainian Galician Army , was the Ukrainian military of the West Ukrainian National Republic during and after the Polish-Ukrainian War. -Military equipment:...
- 1 Galician Corps
- 2 Galician Corps
- 3 Galician Corps
Legacy
In memory of the Ukrainian veterans of the early 20th century Michael Rokhlenko wrote lyrics to the Russian waltzWaltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
On sopkas of Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
(1907). The poem is called We remember (My pamiatayem).
Цвинтар старий, Рівні ряди могил. Останній притулок славних синів Що не шкодували сил За рідний край, За наші кращі дні. Сонце ласкаво світить з небес, І золотить хрести. І горять хрести золоті, Не медалі то - вартові. Спокій бережуть вояків, Що лежать у сирій землі. |
Cemetery is old, Evenly set rows of berms. It's the last sanctuary of glorious sons That did not hold back their powers For the native land, For our better days. Sun welcoming shines out of the sky, And paints the crosses gold. Chorus And the crosses are burning in gold, They are not medals, but the guardians. Peace of the warriors they secure, Who lay in ground today. |