The Ukrainian government immediately began a process of mobilization and the creation of reserve forces such as the National Guard of Ukraine; however, it would be several months until these units would be trained.

[17] Despite having lost many members, Ukrainian Spetsnaz was called to service in April 2014 once Russian insurgents began to advance into Ukraine.

One of the first large-scale missions was to retake the Kramatorsk airfield as a pivot point to put pressure on Donetsk, which had largely been taken over by insurgents.

On 15 April, Spetsnaz unit Omega stormed the airfield retaking it and capturing an undisclosed number of pro-Russian insurgents in the process.

[20] The Ukrainian military counterattacked, and an Omega special forces unit was airlifted unto the scene to help local troops drive back the attackers.

In the ensuing six-hour battle, government troops recaptured all buildings from separatists and hoisted the Ukrainian flag over the city hall.

[22] Spetsnaz forces have also been responsible for locating and neutralizing terrorist cells operating deep inside of Ukraine, clearing cities that had been recaptured from insurgents, as well as searching for potential saboteurs.

The airport's garrison has been able to withstand attacks by Russian T-72 tanks, Grad and Uragan rocket artillery, and 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortars without any air support.

By September, Russian Spetsnaz forces began to actively aid the rebels in assaulting the airport; however, they only managed to advance 500 meters closer to the complex by the end of the month.

A statement from the prosecutor's office of Odesa Oblast stated that Spetsnaz forces were used to secure the refinery's assets.

[32] Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a Special Forces wing made of foreign fighters was initiated by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's intelligence directorate (GUR).

[36] On 6 November, the Kyiv Post released drone footage of what it claimed was Ukrainian special forces attacking Wagner mercenaries in an unidentified urban area in Sudan with an explosive projectile, which was believed to have been taken about two weeks before its publication.

[38] The Kyiv Post released a report on 5 February 2024 with video showing the aftermath of an attack by Ukrainian special forces on a Wagner Group unit that had suffered several deaths and the capture of at least one member seen being interrogated on camera.

[39] In April 2023, the Washington post reported on a leaked U.S. Intelligence document (one of many leaked by Airmen Jack Teixeira) which suggested that the Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR), was planning on attacking Russian military and Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, but the idea was scrapped by President Zelenskyy.

The plan was to "start small" by implementing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes on Russian units.

The document indicated that low level fighting in the Syrian battlefield could give Ukraine deniability options and blame small scale attacks on various non state actors.

[40] In June 2024 the Kyiv post reported on a video obtained from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) and dated to March 2024 describing Ukrainian Special forces designated the "Khimik" group teaming up with Syrian rebels to assault Russian mercenaries in the Golan Heights area.

At the time Russia had been using these observation posts to gather intelligence on Israeli weapons used on Iranian forces, which are similar in design to the ones the West provides Ukraine.

[43] The Khimik group again attacked Kuweires Airbase on September 15, 2024, this time specifically targeting the bases UAV testing hardware.

Imbedded within the invading force were the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria (TIP) participated and was trained by the Khimik group.