The Ukrainian commando conducts sabotage missions in the occupied zone and on the soil of Russia.
by Thomas d’Istria (Kiev (Ukraine), sent special)
The two men sitting in a cafe in downtown Kiev are like sabotage and diversion operations they lead behind the enemy lines: discreet and reflected. Mykola and Petro, pseudonyms, are part of the Brattalion Brastvo (“fraternity”, in Ukrainian), a group of volunteers made up in unit of special forces since the start of the Russian invasion and whose specialty is to operate in the territories occupied Ukrainians and on the soil of the Russian Federation.
Military training is made up of veterans of the Donbass war and new recruits having no military experience, like Petro, a young man with a dry face bearing a civilian outfit. “We select people who have creative spirits, people who are able to do the job,” explains Mykola, bearded with fine features, met on Wednesday March 8.
At the end of February 2022, when the Kremlin army has descended from Belarusian territory towards Kiev, the battalion which has just been created in connection with a Christian nationalist movement takes part in the defense of the Ukrainian capital while Preparing for the scenario of a Russian victory. “We were ready to organize a network of supporters,” says Mykola today. After a succession of tactical failures, the Russian forces withdraw from regions of northern Ukraine in late March 2022, leaving behind populations bruised by weeks of occupation.
non -official status
It is at this point that the fighters decided to build up in special forces and operate in enemy territory. “If we had joined a brigade in the Ukrainian army, we would have had many more deaths and our actions would not have had as many effects,” said Mykola. Their unofficial status, technically independent of the Ukrainian army, allows kyiv to deny any responsibility in the actions they carry out in Russia. “When we are on enemy territory, we are volunteers and we have no connection with the army,” says Mykola.
Conversely, when the soldiers operate in the occupied territories, “the Ukrainian authorities speak of what we do,” slips Petro, wrapped in a black fleece. The young man explains that a large part of their time is spent collecting information upstream of operations. A work that involves activating a network of supporters.
He gives the example of a mission carried out in the occupied part of the Zaporijia region, in the south-east of Ukraine, along the Dniepr, near the city of Enerhodar, without specifying the date. “We have set up a base not far from the Russian positions, along the banks, explains the soldier. We wanted to undermine a strategic route they use to transport military equipment, attack a base of new mobilized and kidnap the chief of the police police local. “
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