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

This date commemorates a significant event in 2014 when special operations soldiers, along with comrades from other branches, conducted an operation to liberate the new terminal of Donetsk airport from enemy forces and raised the Ukrainian flag.

“Honoring the courage and heroism of the soldiers of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, demonstrated in the fight for freedom and independence, I decree: to establish Special Operations Forces Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to be celebrated annually on May 27,” states decree No. 346/2025 from May 26, 2025.

This decree takes effect on the day of its publication.

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