Today, during the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, the need to use the experience of the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine has become apparent in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. It was during the ATO that profound changes and a number of reforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took place, which radically changed the approaches to the use of certain branches of the armed forces and for the second year in a row has allowed us to adequately repel Russian aggression against our country. Since any transformation is possible only on the basis of the analysis of previous experience, it is necessary to analyze the previous experience of the Russian aggression of 2014-2018 in order to further improve the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to describe the activities of military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2014-2018 and to analyze the transformation of views on the use of Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces. An overview of individual operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the period 2014-2018 was conducted and the factors of their success or failure were identified. For the purpose of the study, general scientific methods of cognition were used, including a critical analysis of the available scientific literature on the topic, comparative analysis, systematization of practical experience in implementing technical innovations, and the method of establishing cause and effect relationships. The study presents the main trends that determine the future development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will provide new methods and means for victory in the war, such as: minimizing the loss of manpower and equipment; increasing the effectiveness of military operations; improving the level of training of officers in specialized educational institutions and military departments.