The aim of the article is to find out the requirements of the professional combat activity of servicemen of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to their physical and psychological preparedness. Methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodical literature, Internet data networks, documentary method. On the basis of the analysis of open literary sources, the peculiarities of the professional and combat activities of servicemen of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and NATO member countries have been clarified. Their purpose and main tasks are disclosed. The historical aspects of the formation of the SOF have been studied. The typical tasks of the SOF have been clarified, including: modern combat operations and raids; psychological operations; work of "civil administration"; obtaining intelligence information on the front line; creation of agency networks; aid; search, evacuation and delivery of prisoners, hostages; preparation for coups, overthrow of regimes; introduction into the structure of military organizations and special services for the purpose of espionage or destruction of people who pose a threat to the state; anti-terrorist operations; detection, identification, determination of targets for own means of destruction. This determines the high requirements for the physical and psychological training of the personnel of the SOF.