Viysko

Viysko (Ukrainian: військо) is a Ukrainian noun meaning the armed forces or the military. It refers to the collective military apparatus of a state, including personnel and institutions. In everyday Ukrainian, viysko can designate the military as a broad institution, while more specific terms such as armiya (army) or the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny) are used for particular branches or formal designations. The word appears in historical and modern texts to denote the military as a social and institutional entity.

Etymology and cognates: Viysko derives from a Slavic root related to war, reflecting the concept of a host or collective fighting force. Cognates across Slavic languages include Russian voisko (войско), Polish wojsko, and Czech vojsko, all meaning “army” or “host.” The Ukrainian term has long-standing usage in literature, law, and official discourse.

Modern usage: In contemporary Ukraine, viysko is used to refer to the military as a general concept rather than a specific branch. Official designations for the state’s military organization are typically given by terms such as the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The word also appears in historical writing and journalism when discussing defense policy, military history, or national security.

See also: Armed Forces of Ukraine; Army; Military; Viysko in Slavic languages.