The modern Ukrainian Land Forces (uk. ZSU) were established in December 1991 on the basis of the land units remaining in the territory of the former Ukrainian Soviet Republic, as well as bases or depots of military supplies and ammunition. Since then, the number of land forces has been systematically reduced until 2014, the beginning of the Russian aggression in the Donbass. In 2016, the land armed forces numbered approximately 169,000 soldiers on active duty. At present, in the face of the Russian threat, the emphasis is on making the army as professional as possible, providing units with the latest equipment possible, and also improving the quality of training. It is worth adding that changes in the latter area have been going on since 2006, and it can be assumed that it were largely influenced by the joint training of Ukrainian units with NATO troops. The Ukrainian army sent relatively large contingents to Iraq (2003–2005) and Kosovo (2000–2014).