On the right hand. Land, water and sky

               

Land Forces                 Air Force                          Navy

The main clue to which branch of the Armed Forces a soldier serves in is the shape of his armband.

The shield symbolizes the earth, the triangle symbolizes air, and the circle symbolizes water. This system of shapes is not accidental, but is based on historical traditions and associations.

The shield shape is one of the most common in the military heraldry of many countries. In Ukraine, such morale patches belong to the largest military branch, the Land Forces.

The Air Force wears triangular emblems with the top pointing upward. This is a reference to the insignia used on the aircraft of the Ukrainian People's Republic. Even the shape of the trident on these patches has its origins in the aviation symbols of the UPR.

The Navy chose a round shape that resembles a ship's porthole. The combination of a trident and an anchor is a historical symbol that was used in the UPR Navy and the Navy of Skoropadskyi's Ukrainian State.

Airborne assault troops

Special Operations Forces

Airborne assault troops and the Special Operations Forces also have original forms of armbands.

The paratroopers' chevron resembles a parachute, a symbol of airborne assault. Its maroon color replaced the Soviet blue that was used earlier. This dark red hue is traditional for paratroopers in 59 countries, including Ukraine.

Historically, this color was pioneered by the British military, which in 1923 first conducted an airborne assault of approximately 500 soldiers of King George V in Iraq. Since then, maroon berets have become an integral part of airborne troops in many armies around the world, including the Ukrainian army.

The Special Operations Forces chose a diamond shape for their armband, which resembles a faceted gem. This design emphasizes the unique status of this unit and its membership in the military elite.

Unlike other branches of the armed forces, the Special Operations Forces did not wear a trident, but a stylized double-pointed sword of Svyatoslav the Brave, the prince of Kievan Rus, who is their symbolic patron saint. His famous phrase "I'm coming for you!" has become the official battle cry of the Special Operations Forces, reflecting their determination and offensive nature.

   Mechanised troops       Mountain infantry     Territorial defence forces

The emblem of the mechanized troops is based on the traditional olive color for military uniforms, and the blue trident refers to the symbols of the UPR infantry.

The mounted infantry retained only the olive border, while the shield itself became gray, reflecting the color of the mountain rocks.

The territorial defense forces are the youngest separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One of the main challenges for the TDF is the lack of equipment. Nevertheless, their armband contains the emblem of mechanized troops, complemented by the image of a fortress wall.

This symbol has a double meaning: on the one hand, it brings the TRO closer to the ground forces of which they are actually a part, and on the other hand, it emphasizes their main mission - the defense of the regions, which is based on local residents.

Each terrorist defense brigade has its own chevron, which necessarily includes a fortress wall, and the emblems often reflect the coats of arms of the units' hometowns.

Medical forces

The color of the trident on the morale patch of the Medical Forces was not chosen by chance. It is a shade of cinnamon, or cinnamon. The UPR army even called it cinnamon, not brown. This color was used to identify military doctors because cinnamon was known for its medicinal properties. Its benefits are still relevant today - cinnamon essential oil remains a component of cold medicines.

 

Communications and cybersecurity troops   

Radio engineering troops

Tank troops

The color black is traditionally associated with military units that work with equipment. This practice existed even in Soviet times, but it was first introduced by French tankers in the First World War, who chose black berets. The reason is purely practical: stains from oil and fuel are less visible on dark fabric. The UPR troops also followed this trend, using black for engineering units.

Missile forces and artillery

Air defense of the ground forces

Air defense missile forces

Red symbolizes fire, and in the military context, the explosions of shells and missiles. That is why this color became the basis for the emblems of the Rocket Forces, Artillery, Air Defense Forces and Air Defense Forces of Ukraine. In many countries of the world, red is associated with artillerymen, and even in the Ukrainian People's Republic army, the artillery trident had this particular shade.

Military law enforcement service

Red is also used by the Military Law Enforcement Service, but here it is not associated with fire. It is the traditional color of the Military Police in almost all NATO countries.

Air Force Aviation

Army Aviation

A hundred years ago, the white trident was worn by the military gendarmerie of the Ukrainian People's Republic. White is the color of wings, which is intuitively associated with aviation. The ukranian morale patch of the Air Force Aviation and the Army Aviation are a vivid example of how the shape of the armband distinguishes between the two types of armed forces. The fact that the Army Aviation belongs to the Land Forces is emphasized by the olive color of the shield, which is typical for the "land forces".

The round chevrons immediately point to the Navy. The color of the trident gives a clue: the white wings are naval aviation, and the red fire is the coastal forces, which defend the coast with artillery and missiles.

Naval aviation

Coastal Forces

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps emblem is significantly different - its style is close to the ukranian trident of Neptune or Poseidon. However, it may soon change. In May, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Marine Corps to strengthen this branch of the military. If the Marine Corps becomes a separate branch of the Armed Forces, its armband will also have a unique shape.

In modern warfare, symbolism matters just as much as strategy. The shapes, colors, and emblems on a soldier’s armband are more than decorative—they are carriers of history, identity, and pride. They connect today’s Armed Forces of Ukraine with their roots in the Ukrainian People’s Republic and other historical formations, while also highlighting the professionalism and specialization of each military branch.

As Ukraine continues to reform and strengthen its defense capabilities, these visual distinctions help foster unity, morale, and recognition—both on the battlefield and in the hearts of the people. Each chevron tells a story of service, heritage, and purpose. And as new branches emerge and evolve, the language of military insignia will continue to grow—shaped by history, guided by tradition, and inspired by the unwavering spirit of those who defend their nation.