Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces have been fighting the enemy since 2014 and, since the start of the full-scale invasion, have operated across all sectors of the front, systematically degrading Russian forces. On the Oleksandrivka axis alone, paratroopers, together with attached assault units, have liberated 11 settlements.

The Commander of Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces, Hero of Ukraine Major General Oleh Apostol, attributes this effectiveness to rigorous training and continuous adaptation to the evolving dynamics of modern warfare.

In an interview with Ukrinform, he outlined the situation on the Oleksandrivka axis, explained how paratrooper training has changed, addressed the need for new personnel, and cautioned against unrealistic expectations of negotiations or a swift victory.

BREAKTHROUGH ON OLEKSANDRIVKA AXIS: 11 SETTLEMENTS LIBERATED

Q: General, what is the origin of your surname? Do you see it as a kind of talisman?

A: Honestly, I don’t know. There was Danylo Apostol, Hetman of Eastern-Bank Ukraine in 1727–1734, but whether my surname is directly connected to him, I cannot say. Perhaps, at times, fate plays its role.

Q: What is your callsign?

A: My callsign is “Formosa,” and even the enemy knows it. I haven’t changed it since 2014. Let them know who they are fighting. I chose it because it’s uncommon—there’s an island with that name, and a special unit as well.

Q: As of early March, it was reported that Air Assault Forces units had liberated nine settlements on the Oleksandrivka axis and mopped up three more. More recently, the 95th Brigade took full control of Berezove in Dnipropetrovsk region. What enabled this success, and what is the current situation on the axis?

A: In fact, we have already liberated not nine but 11 settlements. We did not disclose this earlier so as not to put people at risk.

This success was achieved through operational silence and strict secrecy. The same approach was used in the Kursk and Dobropillia operations—the enemy never understood where the strike would come from. As the saying goes, success loves silence.

Another factor is that the enemy often misleads its own leadership. Its infiltration tactics can produce limited, tactical gains, but they fail at the operational and strategic levels. When we engage, we overrun them—they may be dug in, but they lack proper support.

Our command structure is coherent and well-synchronized, enabling effective coordination on the battlefield. Our servicemen are well trained; they trust their commanders, and those commanders act with confidence. Each unit focuses on its task without distraction.

We also have full backing from the Commander-in-Chief and the General Staff, particularly in coordination and support.

At present, the enemy is counterattacking on the Oleksandrivka axis. The area is densely saturated with drones—both ours and theirs.

If we encounter well-established defensive lines, we adjust deliberately and professionally. We neither have the right nor the intention to throw people into the “furnace” the way the enemy does. When something isn’t working, we pause or shift to another axis. That’s exactly what we did on the Dobropillia axis: we achieved results by grinding down Russian naval infantry, and then redirected our efforts.

Some of the measures planned for the Oleksandrivka axis do not yield immediate results, but if the full set of actions is executed, the outcome will follow.

Q: What do you see in the liberated settlements? Did any civilians remain? How did they live under occupation? Did they report Russian atrocities?

A: The enemy advanced first, then our forces counterattacked—there is almost nothing left. These settlements are destroyed and will be uninhabitable. We did not encounter any civilians at all.

RUSSIAN MOTORCYCLE ASSAULTS CRUSHED BY PARATROOPERS

Q: Air Assault units are also engaged on the Pokrovsk axis. What is the situation there? How are Russian tactics evolving? What can you say about the use of motorcycles and quad bikes in assaults?

A: On the Pokrovsk axis, certain Air Assault units are holding the line.

As for motorcycles, our troops neutralize them in close combat. Most enemy movement is targeted with FPV drones and “awaiter” drones along their routes and logistics corridors.

Our fighters are well trained and unafraid. When they hear motorcycles, they move out from cover and engage. Recently, several motorcycles were destroyed with assault rifles.

Q: It has been reported that Russia is increasingly deploying poorly trained personnel and that overall training standards are declining. Do you observe this?

A: Very clearly—especially when we take prisoners and ask about their training. Their approach is to send people into the “furnace,” which works in some sectors. We would never do that. We rely on training; they rely on mass.

At present, the enemy’s level of training is very low. For example, when one of our groups engages an enemy group, we eliminate it and continue advancing with minimal losses.

Q: In your interviews, you’ve mentioned preparing “surprises” for the enemy on various axes that significantly affected its combat capability. Are you planning such measures now, or are they already in use?

A: We are already using them. We adapt quickly and implement the changes we need, coordinating everything with higher command.

It is critical to rapidly integrate combat experience. We have our own know-how for countering the enemy—the key is timely dissemination and scaling across all levels and units of the Air Assault Forces.

LIFE-SAVING TRAINING AT THE CORE OF THE CENTER’S MISSION

Q: The 199th Air Assault Forces Training Center is consistently ranked among the best in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Why is that?

A: It truly is. And that’s not just my view as commander—this assessment is shared by inspection commissions and representatives of various branches of the Defense Forces who visit training centers.

This is the result of our approach to warfare and the quality of our training. In many cases, others are only planning to adopt certain methods, while we have already tested and implemented them.

With skilled instructors, a well-prepared command structure, and a robust training and material base, you can train any army—regardless of when a war begins. That’s what allows an army to stand up quickly and fight effectively.

We rely heavily on our instructor corps, and our training is built on real-world combat experience.

The key is communication—when there is genuine two-way dialogue, when junior commanders are not afraid to engage with senior leadership, and when teamwork is real, not formal.

The 199th Training Center is fully adapted to modern warfare. As soon as conditions change on the battlefield, we immediately update the training program.

Q: How has paratrooper training evolved since the start of the full-scale invasion?

A: We constantly reassess what is required on today’s battlefield. There is no time now for prolonged training cycles, so we focus on what actually saves lives. In critical situations, practical skills must be ingrained—so they help a soldier survive and eliminate the enemy.

Q: Are parachute jumps still relevant today?

A: Yes. We do not abandon them—they build character. Of course, parachute insertions behind enemy lines are not always feasible. But they remain important when the situation shifts and we need to rapidly deploy Air Assault units—for example, to secure or destroy a bridge.

THE ENEMY IS ALSO A TEACHER

Q: What lessons from partners or the enemy are applied in cadet training today?

A: We use our partners’ methodologies. As for the enemy, we focus on the tools and tactics it employs effectively. You must always study the enemy—analyze its actions and develop countermeasures.

Q: What has improved in the training and material base?

A: A great deal. Everything is now integrated to ensure that a soldier feels confident on the battlefield and can execute assigned missions. The training base is continuously upgraded—any new and effective solution is immediately introduced into the curriculum.

Q: What are living conditions, food, and overall support like for cadets in 2026? What about future prospects?

A: Conditions are quite good, with safety as the top priority. Personnel no longer live in large barracks or tents—everything is underground, including classrooms.

We also pay close attention to living conditions. I’ve set a goal to eliminate dark, oppressive colors in facilities, as they affect psychological well-being. It’s like walking through a city with brightly colored buildings—regardless of the weather or your mood, the environment doesn’t weigh you down.

Q: How long does combat integration take for personnel arriving in brigades after training?

A: First comes rehabilitation, then 51 days of basic combined-arms training, followed by an adaptation period of up to 14 days, depending on the commander.

We also introduced an adaptation course in 2025. Its purpose is to help a servicemember integrate into the unit, absorb its spirit and traditions, and establish mutual understanding with the commander. A soldier must be prepared for the specific tactics of their unit. During this period, the commander instills the maximum set of practical skills.

NO TIME FOR ILLUSIONS: DON’T WAIT FOR CEASEFIRE OR VICTORY

Q: How effective are recruitment centers in replenishing your units?

A: Much less effective now. People are living in a state of expectation—for a ceasefire and victory. But the focus should be on systematically degrading the enemy so that it abandons its actions. If the enemy stops tomorrow, that’s good. But if it doesn’t, we risk being unprepared.

The personnel shortage is already having an impact: there are no replacements for those on the line, no proper rotation, no normal leave. Although, basically, I believe every serviceman should have leave twice a year.

People do not fully appreciate how important it is to stand alongside those already serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine—such support would make a real difference to them.

I would like people to better understand what the Air Assault Forces are. When you join, you are fully equipped, supported on the battlefield, and given training that maximizes your chances of survival and combat effectiveness.

Q: In your view, what should be changed in the mobilization system?

A: The system is functioning, and dismantling it risks making things worse. A significant share of those currently holding the line—those thanks to whom we retain our territory—entered the Armed Forces through the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers. Remove them, and the war would end—but not in our favor.

You have to understand: he (Putin) will not stop—he has lost his sense of restraint and has nothing to lose. He will continue the war until he dies.

That said, recruitment centers are doing substantial work. Yes, there are issues that need correction. Many people I meet at the training center who were initially mobilized against their will later change their perspective. They say they feel confident and capable of taking on the enemy. In those conversations, I don’t reveal who I am.

AIR ASSAULT FORCES FULLY EQUIPPED FOR THE FIGHT

Q: How do you evaluate the shift to a corps-level structure in the Air Assault Forces?

A: It is unequivocally positive. Each corps—there are two, the 7th and the 8th—has its own full complement of units, as well as combat and logistical support elements. The transition is challenging because every sector is critical. You cannot redeploy a strong brigade to a secondary direction without risking collapse elsewhere.

In 2023, the enemy began forming divisions and armies, which improved its command and control. When you are responsible for a 200-kilometer long frontline with 15–20 brigades, it is impossible to give each the necessary attention, fully assess the situation, and manage effectively. Command and control become especially difficult where there are multiple main axes of attack—all of them critical—and gaps begin to emerge.

Q: What is the current situation with equipment? Are UAVs and hardware sufficient? Have you found ways to counter fiber-optic drones?

A: In terms of weaponry, we would like to have more, but we remain heavily dependent on our partners. The enemy, however, is facing similar constraints.

The Air Assault Forces are supplied with everything essential. If a particular capability is unavailable, it simply cannot be issued.

Countering fiber-optic drones relies primarily on training: proper fortification of positions, effective protective measures, and a clear understanding of how these systems operate—and how to neutralize them.

Q: Do you have sufficient personnel?

A: If brigades are holding their sectors and missions are being carried out as assigned, then we have enough.

Q: Tell us about your personnel. Do women serve in your units, including in combat roles?

A: Yes. Women serve with us, including in combat roles—medics, UAV operators, and others. We have approximately 1,500 female servicemembers.

Q: What is the status of the “Contract 18–24” and “Contract 60+” programs? Do former prisoners or foreign nationals serve in the Air Assault Forces?

A: Yes, personnel join under the “Contract 18–24” program, and we invest significant effort in ensuring they are highly effective on the battlefield. Servicemen aged 60+ also sign contracts.

As for former prisoners, they fought alongside us in the Kursk sector, but we currently have none in our ranks.

We also do not have foreign fighters. In the most intense phases of combat—during critical moments such as enemy breakthroughs that had to be urgently contained—they were not prepared for that level of warfare. While our soldiers demonstrated resilience and combat effectiveness, they could not sustain those conditions.

AIR ASSAULT FORCES: OPERATIONS THAT SHAPED THE FRONT

Q: Why should those who have not yet joined the Armed Forces consider the Air Assault Forces?

A: I have served across multiple sectors, and I can say this: in the Air Assault Forces, you can rely on your commander. There is support, clear communication, mutual respect, proper supply, and high-quality training. Our training is effective—and it delivers results on the battlefield.

Q: What do you consider the Air Assault Forces’ greatest achievements during the full-scale war? Which operations stand out as the most successful?

A: The greatest achievement is when a senior commander can fully trust an Air Assault brigade or unit—knowing it will accomplish its mission and operate with accurate, reliable situational awareness.

Among the most successful operations, I would highlight the defense of Voznesensk; offensive operations in Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions; actions in the Kursk sector; operations on the Dobropillia and Oleksandrivka axes; and the stabilization of critical sectors of the front by Air Assault brigades—where they were fully committed and continue to hold the line.

Iryna Chyrytsia led this conversation. Zhytomyr

Photos courtesy of the AFU Air Assault Forces Headquarters