Ukrainian Armed Forces are forming a new combat unit - the Air Assault Rapid Forces (AAFF). Previously, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had airborne assault battalions and assault companies, but they have now been merged into components of the Air Assault Rapid Forces. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces explained that the operational methods of the Air Assault Rapid Forces differ from those of the airborne assault forces in that the former will not be assigned to a single defensive area, but will be used for specific operations, such as counterattacks, territorial capture, and rapid advances. The latter performs both strike missions and holds the line, and in this aspect, it is actually not much different from regular infantry units.
The Polish publication Defence24 reported that the newly formed Air Assault Rapid Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will focus on rapid mobile warfare, conducting breakthroughs (in offensive situations) or acting as a "frontline fire brigade", quickly responding to crisis situations and participating in local counterattacks (in defensive operations).
The reason why the Ukrainian Armed Forces are forming the Air Assault Rapid Forces is because Russian forces are making more frequent local breakthroughs on the battlefield, so the Ukrainian Armed Forces need to respond quickly. The main challenge in establishing the Air Assault Rapid Forces is ensuring a high level of training, but their operational methods inevitably involve the risk of significant losses of personnel and equipment, which requires continuous replenishment and rotation of the forces. In this way, the Ukrainian Armed Forces may assign soldiers of the like to the Air Assault Rapid Forces, which will further reduce the combat effectiveness of other units.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844687257041932/
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