MILITARY EXERCISES AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE (2014–2016)

Abstract

The features of the participation of military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in multinational military exercises held in our country and abroad in 2014–2016 are considered. The occupation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation (RF), the veiled appearance of Russian troops on the territory of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which marked the beginning of the so-called "Hybrid warfare" forced the leadership of our state to intensify contacts with the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and pay considerable attention to multinational training, as within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program. During military exercises («Saber Guardian / Rapid Trident»), «Flaming Thunder», «Flaming Sword», «Anakonda», «Hunter», «Combined Resolve» etc.), military personnel exchange knowledge and combat experience, strengthening partnerships, compatibility, and ability of the military of Ukraine, NATO member states, and their partners to work together. The features of the AFU servicemen's peacekeeping activities at the initial stage of the modern Russian-Ukrainian war (United Nations operations in Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Afghanistan, the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo etc.) are considered. It was stated that during peacekeeping operations, military personnel mainly patrolled the areas of responsibility, transported United Nations (UN) personnel, escorted humanitarian aid, controlled the ceasefire, as well as the withdrawal of troops. Keywords: NATO, Ukraine, Partnership for Peace, international military exercises, peacekeeping operations, Armed Forces of Ukraine.