Signed :
1. Hryhoriy Galagan — Major General, who led the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 2020 to 2022. He is currently the first deputy head of the Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine.He began his military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 1995.From 2002, he served in the “A” Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine (“Alpha”). After the occupation of Crimea in 2014, he remained true to his oath and left for mainland Ukraine.Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of UkraineHe took direct part in combat operations in Donbas and was wounded in 2015 while carrying out a combat mission.In August 2020, he was appointed commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and led them until 2022.His military rank is major general. He received this rank in 2018.Hryhoriy Galagan has also been awarded state honors, including:the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class;the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd and 2nd Classes.
2. Oleksandr Svyrydenko — Colonel, Chairman of the Association of Veterans of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine, Deputy Commander of the Special Operations Forces
3. Oleksandr Komyakhov — artist, member of this unit, author of this issue.
4.Yuriy Savchuk—Director General of the “Motherland” War Museum
The Special Operations Forces are the youngest and one of the most modern branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Over the course of their ten-year history, the Special Operations Forces have participated in key operations during the Russia-Ukraine war and earned a reputation as professionals capable of carrying out the most challenging missions: deep behind enemy lines, in temporarily occupied territories, on land, in the air, and at sea. They are the ones who prepare the ground for subsequent assault operations.
Selection for the Special Operations Forces is one of the most rigorous in the Armed Forces of Ukraine—only 10% of male and female candidates pass it. Operatives are trained according to the principle of interchangeability: each fighter masters several specialties and, if necessary, can carry out the tasks of a comrade. This versatility and autonomy enable small groups to operate far from the main forces.
The symbol of the Special Operations Forces is the werewolf—a shape-shifting warrior capable of camouflaging himself and appearing unnoticed where he is not expected, carrying out a mission, and disappearing just as silently. The Special Operations Forces emblem combines the image of a wolf with Prince Sviatoslav the Brave’s double-pronged trident and his battle cry, “I’m coming for you.” These elements have become the central motifs of the special postage stamp in this issue.