The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has declared May 27 as the Day of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

On this day in 2014, soldiers from special operations units, the future SOF, alongside comrades from other branches of the defense forces, conducted an operation to liberate the new terminal of Donetsk airport from enemy troops and raised the Ukrainian flag.

“In honoring the courage and heroism of the Special Operations Forces fighters, demonstrated in the struggle for freedom, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, I decree: to establish in Ukraine the Day of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces, to be celebrated annually on May 27”, – states decree No. 346/2025 dated May 26, 2025.

The decree takes effect upon publication.

By a separate order from the commander of the SOF, Major General Oleksandr Trepak, July 29 is designated as the day of remembrance for fallen Special Operations Forces soldiers.