Today, October 14, is the Day of Ukraine's Defender. The national holiday was set by decree of President Petro Poroshenko of October 14, 2014.
The choice of the date for the holiday was predetermined by the historical tradition of honoring the Ukrainian troops for the Christian holiday of Protection of Virgin Mary. October 14 is also the date of the establishment of UPA [Ukrainian Insurgent Army] and the Day of Ukrainian Cossacks. Today the Ukrainian army amounts to 255,000 people, including 170,000 contract soldiers. Over 24,000 women serve in the Ukrainian army. This is 9.4% of the total number of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. About 7,000 women who have concluded a contract with the Defense Ministry served or continue to serve in the Joint Forces Operation zone.
This year, 17,900 young men were recruited into the army. In 2018, Ukraine's army entered the top 30 best armies in the world.
