Special Operations Forces
The Special Operations Forces (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are a separate branch of the Ukrainian military, established in 2016. Subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, they carry out special operations deep behind enemy lines, including reconnaissance, sabotage, and counter-terrorism missions. The current commander is Serhiy Lupanchuk.
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Lviv Regional Council Declares 2027 'Year of UPA, Shukhevych and Olzhych,' Sparking Polish Outcry
On 20 October the Lviv Oblast Council voted to designate 2027 as a year honouring the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), its commander Roman Shukhevych and poet Oleh Olzhych. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski sharply criticised the move, with Sikorski signing a motion to add the initiative's author, Sviatoslav Sheremeta, to Poland's list of undesirable persons. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called the decision counterproductive and stressed it was a regional act taken without consulting central authorities.
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Ukrainian drones strike Kuibyshev refinery in Russia's Samara region, causing large fire
On the night of 22 September 2026, Ukrainian drones attacked the Kuibyshevsky oil refinery in Samara Oblast, Russia, igniting a large-scale fire. Ukraine's General Staff and the Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed the strike, with the Unmanned Systems Forces stating the distance to the target exceeded 1,000 km. The same night, Ukrainian forces also struck the Bashneft-UNPZ refinery in Ufa.
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Ukraine's PM outlines $56.5 billion in year-end financial needs, split between macrofinancing and defense
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky told the Yalta European Strategy forum that Ukraine faces two urgent financial challenges by year-end: $29.5 billion in confirmed macrofinancing at risk of not being received, and an additional $27 billion needed for defense forces. The government pledged to finish its part of the work by mid-October, including submitting required draft laws in September and finalizing all Cabinet resolutions by October 15, while calling on parliament to pass 27 outstanding bills.