The adjutants of the Ukrainian army as bearers of the military-bureaucratic code of the era of the national liberation struggle

Abstract

The aim of this study is a comprehensive examination of the institution of the adjutant service in the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) during 1917–1921 and an assessment of its role as a carrier of the military-bureaucratic code of the national liberation struggles. The focus is on the socio-professional characteristics of individuals who held adjutant positions, the functional tasks of this service, and its place within the military command and management system of the UPR. To achieve these objectives, a combination of methods was applied, including historical-archival analysis, comparative analysis, sociological examination of personnel composition, and content analysis of primary sources. Both internal organizational mechanisms within the military service and external influences – including political instability, military operations, and the internment of units in neighboring states – were examined. The results demonstrate that adjutants performed a complex range of administrative, operational, and representative functions, ensuring continuous communication between commanding officers and subordinate units, coordinating the execution of orders, and maintaining discipline. A socio-professional analysis indicates that the simultaneous presence of experienced officers of imperial origin and young Ukrainian officers ensured the adaptability and effectiveness of military management. Comparative analysis with the armies of the Russian Empire, Austria-Hungary, and Poland revealed both elements of continuity and national innovations that shaped the distinctive features of the Ukrainian adjutant corps. The study also shows that the activities of adjutants had not only practical significance for army management but also symbolic importance, contributing to the formation of national military tradition, sustaining unit morale, and upholding principles of military honor. In conclusion, it is argued that the experience of the UPR adjutant service can be applied in the modern Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance personnel policy, improve the organizational structure of command, and enhance internal communication systems. The study highlights the significance of the adjutant institution as a historical component in shaping a professional and ideologically motivated military elite within the Ukrainian army.