Offensive Guard

Offensive Guard, known in Ukrainian as Hvardiia nastupu, was a recruitment campaign launched by Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs in February 2023 during the full-scale Russian invasion. It was designed to expand and reorganize Ukraine's internal-security and border-defense formations into assault-oriented brigades capable of participating in the country's defense and responding to military and security threats. Rather than operating as a conventional commercial brand, Offensive Guard functioned as a public-sector recruitment and force-generation program. The campaign initially sought volunteers for eight assault brigades, drawing primarily from serving personnel and volunteers associated with the National Guard of Ukraine, the National Police, and the State Border Guard Service. Veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian War were also encouraged to apply. The recruitment message emphasized service in newly formed or reorganized units, collective participation in the defense of Ukraine, and the opportunity to join formations intended for offensive and high-intensity operations. The initial public response was substantial. According to the referenced account of the campaign, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recorded more than 27,000 inquiries in a little over a week. Approximately 15,000 people submitted applications, including about 500 women, while more than 800 applicants had completed medical examinations during the early enlistment process. These figures describe interest and progression through recruitment stages rather than completed enlistments. The campaign's early target was later exceeded or expanded. By April 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was recommending the creation of additional formations, reflecting the continuing demand for personnel and the operational importance of the units. The resulting formations included National Guard brigades such as Burevii, Spartan, Rubizh, Azov, Khartiia, Chervona Kalyna, and Kara-Dag; National Police formations including Liut and several assault regiments and battalions; and State Border Guard brigades including Stalevyi Kordon, Pomsta, Hart, and Forpost. By 2025, the formations associated with the campaign represented a broad network of brigades and subordinate units across Ukraine. Their structures included headquarters, infantry battalions, artillery and air-defense elements, reconnaissance companies, tank units, and specialist police or border-guard regiments. The exact composition and locations of these formations may change as Ukraine continues wartime reorganization. Offensive Guard is therefore best understood as a continuing state-backed recruitment and military-formation initiative rather than a standalone consumer-facing brand or independent legal entity.

Offensive Guard emerged in February 2023 as a Ministry of Internal Affairs initiative during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its purpose was to recruit volunteers and organize assault brigades within three Ukrainian institutions: the National Guard, the National Police, and the State Border Guard Service. The program was intended to strengthen Ukraine's defense capacity by expanding formations able to conduct combat operations and respond to security threats. The initial plan called for eight volunteer assault brigades by April 2023. Recruitment was aimed at a wide pool of candidates, including serving members of the relevant security institutions, veterans of the Russo-Ukrainian War, and civilians willing to volunteer. The campaign presented service as participation in the defense of Ukraine through newly established or reorganized formations rather than as ordinary employment. Its official communications and recruitment portal served as the public-facing mechanism for explaining opportunities and accepting applicants. The initial response was reported to be significant. In just over a week, the Ministry of Internal Affairs registered more than 27,000 inquiries. Around 15,000 people applied, including approximately 500 women, and more than 800 applicants had passed medical examinations during the early stage. These numbers indicate the scale of public interest but do not by themselves establish how many candidates ultimately entered service. The recruitment effort developed beyond its initial target. By April 2023, the Ministry recommended creating further formations. The National Guard formations associated with the initiative included the Burevii Brigade, the Spartan Brigade, the Rubizh Brigade, the Azov Assault Brigade, the Khartiia Brigade, the Chervona Kalyna Brigade, and the Kara-Dag Brigade. Their reported structures included headquarters, infantry battalions, artillery, air-defense, reconnaissance, and armored elements, although organization could vary over time. The National Police contribution included the Liut Brigade and assault-oriented formations such as Tsunami, Safari, and Luhansk, alongside other police units and battalions including Dnipro-1, Myrotvorets, Skif, Enei, Zakhid, Tavr, and Shtorm. The State Border Guard Service contribution included Stalevyi Kordon, Pomsta, Hart, and Forpost brigades. These formations were associated with different locations and operational responsibilities across Ukraine. By 2025, Offensive Guard was described through the formations raised or expanded under the campaign rather than as a separate legal organization. Its continuing significance lies in the integration of recruitment, institutional reorganization, and wartime force generation. Because the initiative operates within government security structures, its units, names, locations, and organization may change in response to operational requirements. It should not be confused with a commercial staffing company or an independent military contractor.

1. 2025Campaign-associated formations documented

   The formations associated with Offensive Guard are described across the National Guard, National Police, and State Border Guard Service.

   Source
2. 2023Ministry launches Offensive Guard

   Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs introduces a recruitment initiative intended to establish volunteer assault brigades in the National Guard, National Police, and State Border Guard Service.

   Source
3. 2023Initial eight-brigade target announced

   The project initially aims to create eight volunteer assault brigades by April.

   Source
4. 2023Early recruitment response exceeds 27,000 inquiries

   The Ministry reports more than 27,000 inquiries, approximately 15,000 applications, and more than 800 completed medical examinations during the campaign's first recruitment period.

   Source
5. 2023Additional formations recommended

   The Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends raising additional formations after the initial recruitment effort receives a strong response.

   Source

A state-led wartime recruitment platform positioned around volunteer service, national defense, and the creation of assault formations within Ukraine's interior-security institutions.

• National Guard assault brigadesMilitary recruitment and force formation2023

  The campaign's principal formations included National Guard brigades such as Burevii, Spartan, Rubizh, Azov, Khartiia, Chervona Kalyna, and Kara-Dag. Reported capabilities included infantry, artillery, air defense, reconnaissance, and armored elements. These are state military formations rather than commercial products.

• National Police assault formationsPublic security recruitment2023

  Police formations associated with the campaign included the Liut Brigade and assault-oriented regiments or battalions such as Tsunami, Safari, Luhansk, Dnipro-1, Myrotvorets, Skif, Enei, Zakhid, Tavr, and Shtorm. Their role sits at the intersection of wartime defense and national policing.

• State Border Guard assault brigadesBorder security recruitment2023

  The State Border Guard Service formations associated with Offensive Guard included Stalevyi Kordon, Pomsta, Hart, and Forpost. The campaign used recruitment to reinforce border-guard formations with personnel and structures suited to wartime combat duties.

• 2023Offensive Guard recruitment campaign

  Ukraine

  A nationwide government recruitment campaign invited volunteers, serving security personnel, and war veterans to join assault brigades being created or reorganized within Ukraine's National Guard, National Police, and State Border Guard Service.

  Outcome. The campaign generated substantial reported interest, produced the initial planned formations, and led the Ministry of Internal Affairs to recommend additional units.

  Source

• 2023Create volunteer assault brigades across three institutionsStrategy

  Ukraine sought to increase defense capacity during the full-scale war by strengthening formations under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

  What changed. The Ministry launched a coordinated recruitment program spanning the National Guard, National Police, and State Border Guard Service, initially targeting eight brigades.

  Aftermath. The strong recruitment response supported the creation or expansion of multiple formations and prompted recommendations for additional units.

  Source

• 2025Offensive Guard formations documented across Ukraine's security services

  The campaign's resulting formations included National Guard brigades, National Police assault formations, and State Border Guard brigades, with organizational structures varying by unit.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Ukraine launches Offensive Guard recruitment campaign

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs began recruiting volunteers to establish assault brigades associated with the National Guard, National Police, and State Border Guard Service.

  CampaignProduct launch
  Source
• 2023Recruitment campaign reports more than 27,000 inquiries

  The campaign reported more than 27,000 inquiries in slightly more than a week, with around 15,000 applications and more than 800 applicants completing medical examinations.

  CampaignOther
  Source
• 2023Ministry recommends forming additional units

  Following the initial recruitment response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recommended raising additional formations beyond the campaign's original planned group of eight brigades.

  Other
  Source

1. Offensive Guard (Ukraine)
2. Official Offensive Guard recruitment portal