Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)

The Special Operations Forces are one of the five branches of the Ukrainian armed forces, with its headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Special Operations Forces
Сили спеціальних операцій
Emblem of the Special Operations Forces
FoundedJanuary 5, 2016 (2016-01-05)[1][2]
Country Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Armed Forces
TypeSpetsnaz
RoleSpecial operations
Intelligence gathering
Psychological warfare
Size4,000 personnel[3]
Part ofUkrainian special forces
Garrison/HQKyiv, Ukraine
Motto(s)"I Come at You!" (Ukrainian: Іду на ви!)
AnniversariesJuly 29[4]
EngagementsRussian invasion of Ukraine
Websitesof.mil.gov.ua
Commanders
Current
commander
Major General Hryhoriy Halahan[5]
Insignia
Flag
Patch
Cap badge

History

The branch was formed based on military units of the Ukrainian Chief Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), which were originally formed of the Soviet GRU Spetsnaz based in Ukraine.

The catchphrase of Svyatoslav the Brave, "I Come at You!" (Ukrainian: Іду на ви!), was officially adopted as the organization's motto.[6]

In June 2019, the 140th Special Operations Centre was certified as a special ops unit that can be involved in the NATO Response Force, the first from a non-NATO-member state.[7][8]

War in Donbass

Troops of the 8th Spetsnaz Regiment in Donbass, March 2015

At the beginning of the Crimea Crisis and the War in Donbass Ukraine's parliament stated that their forces only had 6,000 combat ready infantrymen, this compared with approximately 20,000 troops stationed at Russian bases in Crimea alone. At the time Ukraine also had a sizable number of units deployed across the world as part of missions such as Operation Atalanta, ISAF, Kosovo Force, and over 200 troops attached to a UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo.[9] This meant that Ukraine's most experienced and well trained troops were deployed and unavailable at the start of the conflict. Ukrainian government immediately began a process of mobilization and the creation of reserve forces such as the National Guard of Ukraine, however it would be several months until these units would be trained. Therefore, Ukraine's depleted Spetsnaz forces, without the aid of a larger conventional force, or an effective local police force, were called to defend the state. According to Ukraine's Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak, Spetsnaz forces operated largely alone during the first period of the war in Ukraine's Donbass region as they were the only units fit for duty at the time.[10][11]

A group of heavily armed men appeared in Donetsk on 3 March 2014. These were mistakenly identified at first as Russian Spetsnaz operatives invading Ukraine by some, or American "Blackwater" mercenaries by others. However, it was revealed that it was actually members of Ukraine's Alpha Group escorting Andrey Shishatskiy, the ex-governor of Donetsk, after he was attacked by a group of pro-Russian separatists or Russian Spetsnaz. Several months later Mariupol was declared the administrative center of Donetsk oblasts due to unrest, and most administrative functions were transferred there.[12]

Despite having lost many members, Ukrainian Spetsnaz was called to service in April 2014 once Russian insurgents began to advance into Ukraine. One of the first large scale missions was to retake the Kramatorsk airfield as a pivot point to put pressure on Donetsk, which had largely been taken over by insurgents. On 15 April, Spetsnaz unit Omega stormed the airfield retaking it and capturing an undisclosed number of pro-Russian insurgents in the process.[13] Kramatorsk airfield was the scene of prolonged fighting even after its recapture. On 25 April insurgents launched a failed attempt to retake the airfield destroying a Mil Mi-8 helicopter and an An-2 transport. The airfield was surrounded by insurgents for several months until the liberation of Kramatorsk from insurgents in July 2014.

On April 25, 2014 Ukraine's Spetsnaz units were some of the first units to encounter insurgents in Sloviansk, which was to become a rebel stronghold. Ukrainian Spetsnaz units began to systematically destroy rebel checkpoints around the city in April so that regular forces could break through into the city, however it would be several more months until the main components of the Ground Forces of Ukraine were able to break through into the city.[14]

8th Spetsnaz Regiment soldiers during an exercise
SSO operators with AKS74us
SSO operators during exercises

On 26 May 2014 Russian insurgents launched an attack taking Donetsk Airport, the nation's second busiest airport at the time. For the first time in the conflict Ukrainian forces responded almost immediately instead of waiting several days by launching airstrikes from Su-25 aircraft and launching Mi-24 gunships to suppress the attackers. Spetsnaz forces as well as airborne troops were airlifted to the scene to battle the insurgents for the airport starting the First Battle of Donetsk Airport. With the help of air support government forces drove out insurgents by the next day and took control of the airport. This was the first successful operation in the War in Donbass, as prior to this insurgent forces were accustomed to quick victories and government forces typically took several days to respond to attacks. After the battle many foreigners including Chechen terrorists were revealed to have fought against Ukrainian forces.[15]

In May and June 2014 Special Forces units were involved in aiding regular army and National Guard Units in the First Battle of Mariupol. By this time Russian separatists had captured most of Donetsk Oblast as far north as Yampil', although government troops retained control of key points such as Kramatorsk and Donetsk airfields. Insurgents then spread south toward Mariupol, the second largest city in the Donbass. On April 17, 2014 a large group of several hundred separatists attempted to storm a military base in Mariupol. The Ukrainian military counterattacked and an Omega special forces unit was air lifted unto the scene to help local troops drive back the attackers. During the failed assault 63 separatists were captured and three killed. The Omega special forces group was then tasked with protecting Mariupol for the remainder of the First Battle of Mariupol.[16] Later on 9 May separatists stormed the city police headquarters; Omega and National Guard Units attempted to recapture the building but Ukrainian forces eventually retreated outside the city and cordoned off the city limits with check points. On 13 June Omega special forces, along with National Guard units, Azov Battalion and Dnipro Battalion stormed the city. In the ensuing 6 hour battle government troops recaptured all buildings from separatists and hoisted the Ukrainian flag over the city hall.[17]

Ukraine's special forces have also carried out several operations deep into rebel held territory, operating in the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.[18]

Spetsnaz forces have also been responsible for locating and neutralizing terrorist cells operating deep inside of Ukraine, clearing cities that had been recaptured from insurgents, as well as searching for potential saboteurs. In May, the SBU raided and arrested several potential saboteurs in the Odessa region.[19][20]

The Ukrainian Naval Infantry maintains its own small Spetsnaz force in the form of the 73rd marine Spetsnaz detachment; the detachment is named "Seals" after the United States Navy SEALs and is built around the same purpose.[21] In August 2014 the commander of the 73rd marine Spetsnaz detachment was killed in an operation near Donetsk, Ukraine. Major Alexei Zinchenko was the first loss for the 73rd marine Spetsnaz detachment as well as the first marine killed in the War in Donbass.[22]

While forces from the Ministry of Interior are often involved in locating spies and saboteurs, the Spetsnaz units of the Ministry of Defense have been more directly involved in the war. Perhaps the most well known are the Spetsnaz units responsible for defending Donetsk International Airport. The Airport was raided on April 18, but maintained operations until May 25, 2014 after which it faced nearly daily attacks. Ukrainian forces have earned the nickname "Cyborgs". Rebels have on multiple occasions stated that they have captured the airport, however the flag of Ukraine has been flying over the dispatch tower, suggesting the airport was actually not captured. The airport's garrison has been able to withstand attacks by Russian T-72 tanks, Grad and Uragan rocket artillery, as well as 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortars without any air support. By September, Russian Spetsnaz forces began to actively aid the rebels in assaulting the airport, however, they only managed to advance 500 meters closer to the complex by the end of the month.[23]

On 22 November 2014 Spetsnaz groups Cheetah and Titan stormed the Odessa oil refinery. There were no injuries during the operation. A statement from the prosecutor's office of the Odessa Oblast stated that Spetsnaz forces were used to secure the refinery's assets. In April a Ukrainian court ruled that the refinery's assets were to be liquidated, however it was suspected management was trying to profit by illegally selling 55 million hryvnia worth of assets without court approval. Prosecutors attempted to enter the refinery on 17 October 2014 to enforce a court decision to confiscate the refinery's assets but were stopped by security, therefore the decision to use Spetsnaz forces to secure the premises and carry out the previous court order was made by the prosecutor's office.[24]

On 10 August 2016 Russia accused the Special Forces of Ukraine of conducting a raid near the Crimea town of Armyansk which killed 2 Russian servicemen; the government of Ukraine denied any involvement. Ukrainian intelligence services reported that there was indeed a border clash, but stated it was a friendly fire incident between the Russian military and the border service of Russia's Federal Security Service.[25][26]

On 5 December 2016, Ukrainian separatist media claimed a Canadian national, reportedly serving with the 73rd Special Naval Center, was killed during an operation near Vodyanoye.

Casualties

Overall, the special forces community of Ukraine lost 73 of its members during the war as off 28 October 2017. The breakdown of casualties is as follows:[27]

  • 3rd Special Purpose Regiment – 44 killed in action
  • 8th Special Purpose Regiment – 14 killed in action
  • 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center – 10 killed in action
  • 140th Special Purpose Center – 5 killed in action

Structure

Commanders

  • Lieutenant General Ihor Lunyov (2016–2020)[1][5]
  • Major General Hryhoriy Halahan (since 25 August 2020)[5]

See also

  • Special Forces of Ukraine
  • 10th Special Detachment

References

  1. Ukraine's Special Operations chief appointed, LB.ua (5 January 2016)
  2. https://1-1-2.international/society/day-of-special-operations-forces-in-ukraine-42164.html
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2019-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. https://1-1-2.international/society/day-of-special-operations-forces-in-ukraine-42164.html
  5. (in Ukrainian) The President changed the command of the Special Operations Forces, Ukrayinska Pravda (25 August 2020)
  6. "Проект символіки Сил спеціальних операцій ЗСУ". krsof.wordpress.com. 2016-04-04. Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  7. "Ukrainian spec-ops forces unit passes NATO certification, first time in history". www.unian.info. June 24, 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  8. "Українська частина сертифікована як Сили швидкого реагування НАТО" [Ukrainian unit certified as NATO rapid reaction forces]. MIL.IN.UA (in Ukrainian). 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  9. "Украина возвращает миротворцев из Африки для переброски на юго-восток". Life News. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  10. "Ukraine parliament delivers ultimatum to Crimea over referendum". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 2018-09-08. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  11. "В первый период АТО работал только спецназ - Полторак". Ukrinform.
  12. "In Donetsk Pro-Russian separatists attacked the ex-Governor Shishatskiy". Преступности.Нет. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  13. "Українські силовики взяли в полон сепаратистів у Краматорську". Ukraine Pravda. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  14. "На в'їзді до Слов'янська українські силовики знищили блокпост сепаратистів". Gazeta. Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  15. "Ukraine crisis: Stand-off amid fight for Donetsk airport". BBC. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  16. "Three separatists killed as Ukrainian troops repel attack-minister". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  17. "Ukrainian troops recapture key port city of Mariupol". Human Rights Observers. Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  18. "Спецназ штурмує Луганськ і Донецьк без артилерії, наступ силовиків триває. Мапа АТО - Новини України на 1+1 - ТСН.ua". Tsn.ua. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  19. "Ukrainian authorities: Separatists cleared from 2 eastern cities". CNN. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  20. "Ukraine's SBU plots provocations in Odessa on May 9". Voice of Russia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  21. "Чому це важливо?". .narodniy.org. Archived from the original on 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  22. "Під Донецьком героїчно загинув командир очаківських морських піхотинців". TSN. Archived from the original on 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  23. "Аэропорт Донецка штурмует спецназ ГРУ России - СМИ". Liga. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  24. "На Одесском НПЗ "маски-шоу": ворвались люди с автоматами, "охраняют" нефть". Ukraine Pravda. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  25. "Putin accuses Ukraine of 'terror' over alleged Crimea raid". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  26. "Poroshenko reported on a shootout between the Russian military and the FSB". Edesk News. Archived from the original on 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  27. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2019-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. "Ukraine Military Dispositions" (PDF). Royal United Services Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2014.
  29. "Волонтеры передали 8-му полку спецназа ВСУ спецсредства на сумму свыше 500 тысяч гривен". censor. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  30. "В Николаеве простились с бойцом 73-го морского центра специального назначения, который погиб в зоне АТО". Nikolev City. Archived from the original on 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  31. "КАПИТАН ДАН КОЛЕСНИК: "САМЫЙ ТЯЖЕЛЫЙ БОЙ 140-ГО ЦЕНТРА СИЛ СПЕЦИАЛЬНЫХ ОПЕРАЦИЙ"". Censor. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
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