Espreso. Global

Ukraine's special forces launch bold raids to free Crimea – CNN

19 October, 2023 Thursday
15:12

In a daring operation early this October, Ukraine's special forces infiltrated Russia's largest stronghold in occupied Ukraine. The exact date and time of this attack remain undisclosed

CNN writes about it. 

The mission was executed by a team of ten soldiers from the Bratstvo Defense Intelligence battalion, who, in cooperation with other Ukrainian units, conducted a night assault on Crimea. They sailed through rough seas on large speed boats before switching to low-profile jet skis as they neared the peninsula. Their objective was twofold: to sabotage Russian military equipment along the shore and send a message of resilience to Ukrainian citizens in the region.

“I was so high on adrenaline,” Muzykant, one of the soldiers, told CNN, explaining that the whole operation felt like a blur. “I only really understood I had been to Crimea after we returned to our base. I realized we had completed a colossal task.”

The operation was fraught with risks, including stormy seas and patrolling Russian warships armed with heavy weaponry. However, the well-prepared soldiers managed to complete their mission without injuries or captures.

“We trained a lot for this mission. Everybody knew their role, what they were supposed to do on the shore,” Muzykant said. “On the way back after the task the Russian warships were chasing us, but we managed to escape.”

These daring raids serve not only as a morale boost for the people in Crimea but also as a distraction for Russian forces. This diversion forces the enemy to reposition their troops and vehicles along the Crimean coast, a crucial aspect of Ukraine's counteroffensive strategy.

Ongoing assaults on Crimea

Ukraine has been intensifying its attacks on Crimea, striking Russian assets, including the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol and the Kerch bridge linking Crimea to mainland Russia. Moscow has promised retaliation, but Ukraine continues its strikes on the peninsula.

Resistance groups in occupied Ukraine, such as the Atesh movement in Crimea, play a crucial role. These groups monitor Russian military activities and communicate movements to Ukrainian forces. They operate in secrecy and take extensive precautions to evade Russian authorities, including the Federal Security Service (FSB).

“Our movement and other resistance movements are only getting bigger and stronger,” the partisans said. “The occupiers know this very well. The pro-Ukrainian residents of Crimea are ready for the liberation of the peninsula.”

Ukraine's goal is the eventual liberation of Crimea, and more daring raids are on the horizon. While the road ahead is challenging, Ukrainian forces are committed to this cause.

They believe that the people of Crimea “are waiting for the sign to start the fight against the Russian aggression” and “the very early stages of that fight may already be unfolding.”

  • The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate says that an airborne operation was carried out in the temporarily occupied Crimea, during which an attack was made on Russian troops. After completing the mission, the special forces successfully retreated

Read also:
  • News
2023, Friday
1 December
22:00
Review
Victorious news of 646th day of war: Ukraine to produce air defense systems, intelligence conducts another sabotage in Buryatia
21:40
Ukrainian forces repel 50 Russian attacks in four sectors - General Staff
21:20
OPINION
Victory components: strength of army, unity of support, commitment of allies
21:00
Exclusive
Ukrainian servicemen details Russian army's tactics in Avdiivka
20:39
Russia damages, destroys 863 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine during full-scale war
20:20
Exclusive
What investments in human capital will Ukraine need in long term?
20:00
Exclusive
Captain reveals Ukrainian army's main task on Dnipro's left bank in Kherson region
19:39
Ukrainian drivers blocked at Polish border talk to consul: what was agreed on?
19:18
Satellite image of the Crimea bridge dated November 28 (source: MT Anderson)
Storm ruins barriers against marine drones near Crimea bridge
19:00
Review
With blood on their hands: Unmasking enemy informants and understanding their motives
18:40
Ukraine receives field hospitals, medical evacuation vehicles from Netherlands
18:20
Russia fails to secure seat on International Maritime Organization (IMO) board
18:00
Animals die in zoo in Kherson region due to Russian criminal inaction
17:39
146 more Ukrainians want to evacuate from Gaza Strip - ambassador
17:20
OPINION
December 1, 1991 referendum gives Ukrainian independence absolute legitimacy
17:01
Presidents of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland boycott joint photo at COP28 summit over Lukashenko
16:39
Switzerland freezes Russian financial assets worth about USD 8.81 billion
16:18
Russian night attacks on Kherson region result in death and injuries
15:58
Exclusive
Putin tries to restore status quo of his army - chairman of Reservists' Councilon intensification of Russian attacks
15:36
Part of Crimean bridge's defenses destroyed by powerful storm - OSINT analyst
15:16
British intelligence names key weapon to counter Russian aggression in Black Sea
15:01
President Zelenskyy fears conflict in Israel could "overshadow" war in Ukraine
14:42
OPINION
How to handle Russian financial assets frozen in the West?
14:23
Ukraine’s Security Service blows up 2nd freight train in Buryatia in 2 days
14:04
December 1 All-Ukrainian referendum and Ukraine's independence
13:51
Exclusive
Russian forces will intensify along all front lines for some time to come - miliatry expert Zgurets
13:33
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense announces plans to manufacture air defense systems with over 100 km range
13:14
Orban believes negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU should not begin
12:55
Russian sociologists say 78.5% of Russians trust Putin, 75.2% approve of his actions
12:36
Exclusive
War is so intense that government won't fully meet all front's needs - commander of Achilles brigade
12:17
President Zelenskyy says war with Russia is entering new phase
12:01
Russian largest oil, gas companies profits fall by 41% in 2023
11:46
Kremlin worries setbacks in Ukraine's war will affect election results in Russia - ISW
11:31
"Ukraine mobilizes students" and other Russian fakes exposed on November 30
11:13
Ukrainian air defense destroys 18 drones and Kh-59 missile at night
10:54
ISW: Russian army advances in Avdiivka sector, Ukraine's forces in Kherson region try to advance south of Krynky
10:37
Russia loses 1,280 soldiers in one day, 330,000 overall since beginning of large-scale war - General Staff
10:13
Delivery of long-range missiles to Ukraine postponed to next year
09:55
Exclusive
Russians destroy over 1,000 multi-storey buildings in Mariupol, now report providing 80 mortgages - city council deputy
09:34
Occupying Russian army shells Kupyansk district, Kharkiv region: residential buildings, infrastructure damaged
More news