Earlier in July, the Ukrainian Special Operations Command held an intense competition between its Special Operations units.

The competition was broken down into five days of intensive tests that aimed to test the resolve, morale, endurance, capabilities, and professionalism of the teams. There were 11 stages that put the commandos through obstacle courses, adverse weather conditions, and rigorous physical events while testing their small unit tactics proficiency, weapons expertise, and planning. By the end of the competition, the SOF teams had covered over 56 miles.

In a press release, the Ukrainian Special Operations Command said that “this is exactly the kind of competition that helps determine mission readiness under difficult conditions, improve methods of action, enhance cohesion, and exchange combat experience.”

A Ukrainian SOF team traverses a river during the competition.

Last September, the 140th Special Operations Forces Center (140th SOFC) became the first-ever Ukrainian SOF unit to pass NATO’s SOF qualification process and be deemed deployable alongside American and European SOF units. It was also the first non-NATO country to achieve this feat.