The role of the Ukrainian special forces has been crucial in causing the dissolution of the Russian army in Kharkov
On July 25, a decision by the Kiev government went unnoticed but, in light of the evolution of the war, was revealed as a key element in explaining what is happening now. Zelensky announced the resignation of the head of the Special Operations Forces, Hryhorii Halahan, and the appointment of Viktor Horenko, whom the president described as “a combatant general.” Under Horenko’s command, the Ukrainian commandos – equivalent to the British “sas” troops or the American “seals” – have become one of the axes of the counter-offensive that caused the dissolution of the Moscow troops.
Like all soldiers integrated into elite groups and participants in top-secret operations, it is only known that Horenko took part in “anti-terrorist actions” and that he was sent to Kabul a year ago to rescue the citizens of his country after the takeover of power of the Taliban. But it is also clear that Horenko has succeeded in making his men the vanguard of the Ukrainian army in this new phase of the war.
In the recent counter-offensive, their special forces were key in acting in front of the regular forces. According to what happened, these elite bodies have infiltrated behind enemy lines and have been in charge of locating Russian weapons depots, barracks or armored concentration areas. Once discovered, the commandos provided their data to the artillery to be pulverized. Similarly, these commandos dismantled ambushes on the Ukrainians and were tasked with chasing the fleeing Russians to prevent them from regrouping. But the most decisive mission was to advance in small platoons with light anti-aircraft missiles – they can be fired from the shoulder – to prevent Russia from having air cover in combat zones and lacking that superiority.
But the Ukrainian commandos have not only paved the way for the infantry troops to drive the Russians out of Kharkov. Since August, members of the special forces have started operating in the Crimean peninsula, an area under Russian control and a base for Moscow’s fleet. This Kiev “shadow army” is credited with detonating a bomb that razed the Saki airport, in addition to several drone strikes on the building where the admirals of the invading navy meet, as well as blowing up of various weapon magazines of Sevastopol.
Under the command of Horenko – a muscular square-jawed man with a steely look, according to the only photo of the officer released – the special forces have also become a propaganda phenomenon for Ukraine’s lethal ability to end the invader. These troops — whose emblem is a gray wolf — have become a nightmare for the Russian armed forces.
One of the most compelling revelations from these commandos’ counteroffensive is the low morale of the troops on the other side of the front. Russian soldiers are unmotivated, have hardly any supplies and in many cases their commanders have abandoned them. Ukrainian intelligence confirms that many enemy units had no food rations and in many cases they held out food for several days. It was also determined that the Russian artillery was no longer operational due to the impossibility of finding spare parts for the guns. The bore – the inner part of the barrel – suffers great wear with each shot and after months of fire it is necessary to replace it to ensure minimum precision in the targets.
According to data released by the Kiev government – therefore suspected of propaganda – Russian troops are surrendering en masse or are desperately fleeing to try to reach the other side of the Ukrainian border. Kiev’s secret services released the testimony of a young Russian recruit who surrendered to the enemy earlier this week. “Our senior officers left burning us alive,” the prisoner lamented in a video asking Russian citizens not to let their children go to war, “because it is being slaughtered.” Testimonials have been collected in other media of soldiers crying as they radioed their commanders to give them some sort of instruction to survive the Ukrainian attack.
On the other side of the story, the Ukrainian special forces recount their successes and encourage soldiers and civilians with combat experience to join their ranks. In a recent interview, “Ptashka,” nickname of a young commando, tells how she was admitted because of her experience as a fighter and athlete. She is currently a sniper for an elite team. “I’ve learned not to over-focus the gun for good shots.” She knows that if she gets caught, that stat won’t help her much.
Source: La Verdad
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