144th Center of the Special Operations Forces
The 144th SOF Center is a new, yet experienced military unit within the system of the Special Operations Forces. It has effective direct action units, as well as powerful fire support both in its artillery component and through a reconnaissance-strike system—in the form of units utilizing various kinds and types of drones.
Unit symbols
Emblem:
The center's symbol is a wolf (symbolizing determination) and oak leaves with an acorn (strength). The green color represents the specific nature of operating "in the green" (woodlands).
Colors:
green, grey
Honorary name:
classified
Area of expertise:
direct actions;
fire support;
riverine operations.
During their operations, the center's service members have carried out missions along the entire front line—in the Kherson wetlands, the Kursk ravines, the Zaporizhzhia steppes, the Sumy forests, the Kharkiv industrial zones, and the Donetsk tree lines. The center has an effective adaptation and training program for newly arrived service members directly within the units, led by experienced instructors and mentors who utilize after-action analysis practices. There is also a regular opportunity to improve qualifications in the best training centers in Ukraine and abroad.
Formation and heritage
The 144th SOF Center was established on March 31, 2023. In addition to direct action units consisting of group operators and the reconnaissance-strike component, for the first time in the history of the Special Operations Forces, organic artillery units (mortar batteries and an artillery battalion) were formed within the Center, which have proven highly effective in combat.
Based on the experience gained in battles, special water operations units began to form to operate on rivers. In 2024–2026, the units were actively involved in combat operations across the entire front line. Among the directions were:
Kherson Oblast,
Zaporizhzhia Oblast,
Donetsk Oblast,
Kharkiv Oblast,
Kursk Oblast,
Sumy Oblast.
In each of these, group operators in direct actions, drone pilots of reconnaissance-strike systems, fire support consisting of mortar and artillery crews, and combat boat operators and drivers all performed actively and effectively. The uniqueness of the 144th Center lies in its multi-domain specialization, with operational experience truly forged in active combat.
International experience and peacekeeping missions
Cooperation with international partners in training personnel and exchanging experience.
Full-scale war since 2022
The 144th SOF Center received its baptism of fire on the islands and the left bank of Kherson Oblast in the summer of 2023, and in the autumn of 2023, along with other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, laid the groundwork for the operation in Krynky. Also, throughout the autumn and winter of 2023 and 2024, the 144th Center actively participated in combat actions in the Verbove direction in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where, as a result of Operation "Hoverla" in January 2024, height 140.1 was captured alongside other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Service members of the 144th SOF Center participated in combat operations in Kharkiv Oblast in the summer of 2024, particularly in the battles for the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, as well as in the Kursk offensive operation during August–September 2024, performing the most complex tasks in operational sectors furthest from the Ukrainian border. Throughout 2024, units of the 144th SOF Center actively took part in the hottest sectors in Donetsk Oblast (Avdiivka, Staromayorske, Terny, Chasiv Yar).
In 2025, units of the 144th SOF Center were particularly active in operations near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in Sumy Oblast.
Heroes and successors
For the successful execution of combat (special) tasks, service members of the military unit have been honored with a large number of state awards, including the Gold Star of the Hero of Ukraine.
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