Members of the "Sich" Battalion, linked to political party Svoboda, in a formation. The embroidered patch of the Militsiya can be seen on their sleeves
Special Police Forces Патрульна служба поліції особливого призначення України
Their goal was to protect public order and important facilities across Ukraine, but all of these units were eventually sent to the east to counter Russian aggression.[2][9]
After the reformation of National Police in 2015, the units were reformed as Special Task Patrol Police units.[3]
At war in Donbas, the forces of the Special Tasks Patrol Police have fought against pro-Russian separatists as a paramilitary force.[3] Many of the units also engaged against Russian forces at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in 2023 most units were reformed and merged into the Liut Brigade as part of the Offensive Guard campaign.[6][7]
Volunteers of the special police "Azov" BattalionAzov Battalion (батальйон "Азов") – a volunteer battalion which became notable for its participation on the Battle of Mariupol and controversial as it was formed by members coming from ultranationalist and neonazi parties.[10][11] In September 2014, it was expanded into a regiment and transferred to the command of the National Guard of Ukraine.[10]
Shakhtarsk Battalion (батальйон ПСМОП "Шахтарськ") – A former all volunteer territorial defence battalion of mostly former convicts from Donbas established in Shakhtarsk in June 2014 (because the battalion is reporting to the Interior Ministry its members became formally police officers).[12] In October 2014 the unit was disbanded after 50 members of the battalion were accused of looting and hooliganism.[13] The battalion was then resurrected as the "Tornado" police battalion.[12]
Tornado battalion – After the "Shakhtarsk" police battalion was disbanded in October 2014 after 50 members of the battalion were accused of looting and hooliganism.[13] it was resurrected as the "Tornado" police battalion.[12] The battalion was about 100 people strong and most members were former convicts from Donbas (because the battalion is reporting to the Interior Ministry its members were formally police officers).[12] On 18 June 2015 the unit was disbanded after members were accused of looting, rape and torture.[14][15] Initially the battalion refused to stop operations and disarm.[16] Former battalion members were accused and arrested for smuggling cast iron from territory under separatist control.[17]
