The National Guard of Ukraine is a military formation with law enforcement functions, which is part of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and is intended to perform tasks to protect and safeguard the lives, rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens, society and the state from criminal and other unlawful encroachments, to protect public safety and order, and to ensure public safety, as well as to ensure state security and protect the state border in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, to stop terrorist activities, the activities of illegal paramilitary or armed formations (groups), terrorist organisations, organised groups and criminal organisations. The National Guard of Ukraine also provides convoy and protection of persons who are in custody or sentenced to imprisonment, during court hearings in the Supreme Court of Ukraine and other designated courts, as well as during their extradition.
During the war and martial law, the National Guard is actively involved in the defence of the country and territorial defence, demonstrating a high level of readiness to respond to any threats.
On March 11, 2014, a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine took place. During the meeting, a decision was made to revive the National Guard of Ukraine, which had previously existed from 1991 to 2000, by re-establishing it on the basis of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Two days later, on March 13, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a relevant law that determined all aspects of NGU functioning as part of the security and defence sector of the state.
The creation of the National Guard of Ukraine became one of the symbols of the country’s renewal after the victory of the Revolution of Dignity. This step was dictated by a real threat to state sovereignty due to the gross interference of the Russian federation in the internal affairs of Ukraine, attempts to annex part of its territory and destabilise the situation in the remaining regions. Also on March 11, partial mobilization to the National Guard of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine was announced.
As soon as of March 14, 2014, 500 fighters of the Maidan Self-Defence Force went to the NGU training centre near Kyiv, from which the first volunteer battalion was formed to protect Ukraine from Russian hybrid aggression in Donbas. (Later, in 2017, this day was established as the Day of the Ukrainian Volunteer by the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine).
On February 24, 2022, with the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, the NGU servicemen were among those who took the enemy’s blow first. On the very first day, the National Guard units were engaged into battle with the occupiers, causing them significant losses. As an example, during an attempted landing at the Antonov airport near Kyiv, the guardsmen destroyed 4 Russian helicopters.
The pride of the guardsmen is their participation in the successful counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region and in the deoccupation of Kherson in the autumn of 2022. During 2023-2025, the units of the National Guard of Ukraine successfully performed the most difficult combat missions at the frontline.
At the same time, the guardsmen continue to perform tasks to protect public safety and order; protect state authorities, foreign states diplomatic missions, important state facilities, including nuclear power plants, critical infrastructure facilities; convoy people taken into custody and sentenced to imprisonment; participate in the implementation of martial law legal regime measures.
The contribution of the National Guard of Ukraine to the country’s defence is highly appreciated not only by the top military-political leadership, but also by ordinary citizens. On October 28, 2024, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) to Ukraine presented the results of a nationwide public opinion poll conducted by “The Rating” sociological group. According to the poll results, the NGU has the highest level of public trust among law enforcement agencies: 86% of respondents expressed trust in the National Guard of Ukraine.
On March 26, 2025, the National Guard of Ukraine celebrated another anniversary. For 11 years, the National Guard has been defending the Ukrainian state and is a significant component of the country’s security and defence sector.
Ukraine with its National Guard received observer status at EUROGENDFOR, in 2024.
Updated, August 2025.
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