Ukraine’s National Resistance System: Territorial Defense as one of the core components

Since the onset of russia’s full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine, thousands of volunteers have joined the ranks of the Territorial Defence Forces (TDF), taking on critically important tasks related to defense and maintaining order at the local level. This unprecedented experience has served as a model for many countries worldwide, demonstrating the effectiveness of a comprehensive national defense strategy.

“Since the full-scale invasion, the Territorial Defense has evolved from a reserve component into a fully operational combat force. Before 2022, Territorial Defense was largely viewed as a supplementary tool for the Armed Forces, but the realities of war have proven its far greater significance. Today, the Territorial Defense is an effective mechanism for deterring the enemy and ensuring the state's resilience. In the future, it must become even more prepared, fully integrated into the broader security system, and capable of quickly adapting to new challenges, transforming into the true foundation of nationwide resistance,” stated Yurii Yelenich, Head of the National Resistance Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense provides a detailed overview of what the Territorial Defense entails, its functions, and its role in countering russian aggression.

What is the Territorial Defense?

The Territorial Defense is a comprehensive system of national, military, and specialized measures aimed at protecting territories, ensuring the safety of the population, and countering threats within specific areas. The Territorial Defense can perform tasks during both peacetime and special periods, including under the legal regime of martial law.

It operates as an integrated mechanism that unites military units, local authorities, and civil society to ensure security and defense at the local level. The activities of the Territorial Defense are regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Resistance,” which came into effect on 1 January 2022.

The formation of the modern Territorial Defense system began back in 2014 when the first TDF battalions were integrated into the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2020, a separate Territorial Defense Command was established within the Land Forces Command.

Before the onset of the full-scale invasion, the official personnel allocation for the Territorial Defense Forces stood at 580 service members, establishing a foundation that enabled the subsequent significant expansion of the TDF.

What role does the Territorial Defense play in the National Resistance System?

The Territorial Defense is one of the three key components of Ukraine’s National Resistance System, alongside the Resistance Movement and the System for Training Citizens for National Resistance.

Unlike the Resistance Movement, which operates in temporarily occupied territories, and the System for Training Citizens, which builds the foundation for resistance, the Territorial Defense ensures the direct protection and control of territories under the control of the Ukrainian government. This structure creates a multi-tiered defense system where each component complements the others, working toward the common goal of safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

What tasks are assigned to the Territorial Defense?

The Territorial Defense is tasked with a wide range of defense and security functions. Its primary priority is protecting and defending territories, which includes timely responses to threats within designated areas and reinforcing the security of the state border. In this capacity, Territorial Defense units counter enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups as well as other hostile armed formations.

A second critical task is the protection of critical infrastructure. The Territorial Defense units secure and defend vital facilities and communication networks essential to the population’s livelihood, including both nationally significant assets designated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and local infrastructure at the regional, district, and municipal levels.

A significant portion of the Territorial Defense’s responsibilities involves ensuring public safety. In collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the Territorial Defense helps maintain public order in residential areas and oversees movement in emergency zones and combat areas. Under martial law, Territorial Defense units are engaged in enforcing the corresponding legal measures.

The Territorial Defense also plays a distinct role in protecting the civilian population, participating in efforts to shield civilians from emergencies and mitigate the consequences of combat operations. Additionally, it ensures conditions for the safe functioning of state and local government bodies.

Another key aspect of its activities is creating favorable conditions for national defense—from facilitating the strategic deployment of troops to participating in informational campaigns aimed at enhancing defense capabilities and countering hostile information operations. The Territorial Defense also contributes to training Ukrainian citizens for National Resistance and provides legal assistance to the population in accordance with legislation.

What are the components of the Territorial Defense?

The Territorial Defense is a complex but clearly structured organization consisting of three main components: military, civilian, and military-civilian. Each component has distinct functions and tasks, yet all operate as one unified mechanism.

The military component is primarily formed by the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a professional military structure that includes:

• The Command of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Regional military command bodies
• Brigades
• Battalions

It is this component that provides the core military capability of the Territorial Defense, ensuring professional training of personnel and coordination of all military aspects.

Upon the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, additional formations may be involved to support the Territorial Defense’s tasks. The Commander-in-Chief also determines the composition of Security and Defense Forces and assets involved in the Territorial Defense, in coordination with the relevant authorities and bodies.

The civilian component is represented by state and local government bodies, which provide administrative support, coordinate with local populations, and address organizational matters, ranging from logistical support to interaction with local communities.

The military-civilian component includes the headquarters of territorial defense zones and volunteer formations from territorial communities (VFTCs). This component ensures direct coordination between military structures and local communities, enabling effective collaboration among all participants of the Territorial Defense.

What is the operational principle of the Territorial Defense?

The Territorial Defense system is organized according to the territorial-zonal principle, reflecting Ukraine's military-administrative division. This approach establishes a clear chain of command, with each level assigned specific tasks and areas of responsibility.

In practice, this means that each Oblast (region) of Ukraine forms a separate territorial defense zone, while districts within an Oblast form territorial defense districts. Each such zone and district has its own headquarters, which coordinates all aspects of defense activities within its territory.

This structure facilitates the efficient use of available resources and enables rapid responses to threats. It also allows for the maneuverability of forces and assets between zones and districts based on the operational situation.

Who commands the Territorial Defense?

The Territorial Defense system operates under a clear hierarchical framework. At the highest level, overall leadership is exercised by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the Commander of the Territorial Defence Forces.

At the regional level, the command is executed through regional military command bodies and the respective territorial defense zone headquarters, which coordinate the activities of all units and formations within their area of responsibility, as well as their interaction with other military formations and government bodies.

At the local level, territorial defense district headquarters directly oversee the execution of assigned tasks.

How does the Territorial Defence differ from other military formations?

The Territorial Defense possesses several unique characteristics that distinguish them from other military formations. Foremost is their close connection to local communities and territories. 

Another key distinction is the integration of military and civilian components. The Territorial Defense not only performs military tasks but also facilitates coordination between military structures, local authorities, and the civilian population.

Volunteer formations from territorial communities (VFTCs) within the Territorial Defense are permitted to use personal hunting weapons. Thus, while mobilized individuals may be assigned to various units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense comprises both mobilized personnel and volunteers who serve within their local communities.

Additionally, as previously noted, the Territorial Defense has a broader scope of tasks beyond strictly military functions, including maintaining public order, protecting critical infrastructure, and assisting the population during emergencies.

What is the role of the Territorial Defense in repelling russian aggression?

Since the onset of russia’s full-scale invasion, the Territorial Defense has emerged as one of the key elements in Ukraine’s defense. In just the first month of the great war alone, over 110,000 volunteers of various professions and ages joined the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces, enabling the rapid formation of combat-ready units that played a decisive role in defending numerous cities and settlements.

The contribution of Territorial Defense units was particularly significant in the liberation of Kyiv and Ukraine’s northern regions from russian occupiers. By securing rear areas, the Territorial Defense units allowed regular units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to focus on the most critical fronts.

Since 2023, the Territorial Defense Forces have significantly enhanced their capabilities, incorporating not only infantry but also mechanized units, aerial reconnaissance units, and mortar crews. Particular emphasis is placed on the training of sappers.