07 September 2024
Military Intelligence of Ukraine: The Battle for Crimea
Today, on the Day of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, we honor the extremely important and challenging work of Ukrainian intelligence officers, whose efforts are essential for victory over the enemy. Ukrainian specialists carry out a range of tasks on the front lines, in temporarily occupied territories, on land, in the air, and at sea — most of which are classified as “top secret.”
Today, we share some insights into these operations and how intelligence officers are fighting for Ukrainian Crimea and demonstrating success in the Black Sea.
One of the most famous operations conducted by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was a raid into occupied Crimea in 2016. From August 6th to 8th that year, Ukrainian military intelligence carried out an operation on the peninsula aimed at delivering weapons and explosives for use by Ukrainian agents operating in occupied Crimea. To achieve this, a Ukrainian group of five officers from the Main Directorate of Intelligence, including the current head of the Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, landed in the village of Rysove in northern Crimea. Russian special forces from the FSB’s “Vympel” unit set up an ambush for the Ukrainian intelligence team, but during the ensuing battle, they suffered losses, while the Ukrainian group managed to retreat without casualties. They returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory by swimming part of the way—8 kilometers across Lake Syvash. Russia’s attempt to intercept the group failed.
According to intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, this was not the only operation during that period, but the others remain classified.Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the battle for Crimea and the Black Sea has intensified. Despite having numerical and technological advantages, the Russians faced defeats at the hands of Ukraine. A key component of the battle for Crimea has been the liberation of Russian-occupied territories in the Black Sea, including Zmiinyi Island and the so-called “Boyko Towers”. Ukrainian intelligence officers, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Navy, Special Operations Forces, and other branches of the military, played a crucial role in reclaiming these strategic sites. Zmiinyi Island was liberated in June 2022 after a prolonged operation. The battle for the Boyko Towers began in 2022, and on September 11, 2023, the Main Directorate of Intelligence announced that they had been returned to Ukrainian control.
During the operation, for the first time since April 2014, the Ukrainian national flag was officially raised on the territory of occupied Crimea.
On October 4 of the same year, another raid by the Main Directorate of Intelligence took place in occupied Crimea, during which a fierce battle erupted between Ukrainian special forces and the occupiers. The Ukrainian group Artan successfully completed its mission, inflicting losses on the enemy’s personnel and equipment.
While withdrawing after completing their mission in Crimea, the Artan fighters engaged in another battle at sea—the enemy attempted to pursue the special forces using high-speed patrol boats supported by aircraft.
Ukrainian special forces from the Main Directorate of Intelligence have also carried out multiple raids on the Tendrivsk and Kinburn Spits, during which enemy equipment, personnel, and infrastructure were destroyed.
In addition to raids and landing operations, a key part of the battle for Crimea has been naval warfare, in which the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine plays an active role. Ukrainian military intelligence locates and strikes enemy assets using unmanned aerial vehicles, including MAGURA V5 strike drones. These drones have proven to be the most effective in destroying the naval capabilities of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The MAGURA V5 is the first drone in the world to not only damage but completely destroy an enemy ship in combat conditions. To date, it has accounted for nine vessels. No other drone in the world has managed to sink a warship and achieve such results.
One of the first ships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to be struck by Ukrainian surface attack drones was the Russian intelligence ship Ivan Khurs on May 24, 2023. As a result of the attack, the vessel was damaged, with reports of casualties and injuries.
On November 10, 2023, the Main Directorate of Intelligence confirmed the destruction of Russian landing craft of Project 1176 Akula and Project 11770 Serna. The results of additional reconnaissance in the area of Vuzka Bay, located in occupied Crimea, indicate that, following an attack by surface strike drones, the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s small landing ships were destroyed.
On the night of January 31 to February 1, 2024, the soldiers of the special unit Group 13 of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed the missile ship Ivanovets of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. The vessel was sunk using MAGURA V5 strike systems. The ship sustained six direct hits to the hull. As a result of the damage, the ship capsized and sank stern-first.
On February 14, 2024, the Main Intelligence Directorate, in coordination with units of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, destroyed the large landing ship Caesar Kunikov. The enemy vessel was attacked by MAGURA V5 near the coast of Crimea, not far from Alupka. As a result, Caesar Kunikov sustained critical breaches on the port side and began to sink. Symbolically, the Russian officer after whom the ship was named was killed exactly 81 years prior to the date of the strike.
On July 24, 2023, the Russian intelligence ship Sergey Kotov was struck by a Ukrainian surface drone. It was attacked again on September 13 of that year, suffering further damage. Some time later, it was finally sent to the bottom.
On the night of March 4-5, 2024, the special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Group 13, attacked the patrol vessel of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Sergey Kotov, which had a Ka-29 transport-combat helicopter on board. As a result of the strike by MAGURA V5 sea drones, the Russian ship sustained damage to the stern, starboard, and port sides and later sank.
On May 6, 2024, the special unit Group 13 of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed two high-speed special-purpose boats of the Russian fleet, RIF-75, using MAGURA V5.
On May 30, 2024, the same special unit successfully attacked the fleet of the aggressor state in occupied Crimea using Ukrainian strike marine drones. As a result of the operation, four boats of the Russian FSB’s border guard, Tuna, were hit, with one sinking.
On the night of August 8-9, 2024, near the settlement of Chornomorske in occupied Crimea, the soldiers of the special unit Group 13 of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed yet another vessel of the Russian occupiers—a high-speed boat of the KS 701 Tuna class—using a strike marine drone. In addition, three more vessels were damaged, with their types being determined.
In total, as of today, the units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine have hit 18 Russian ships, nine of which have been completely destroyed. However, the battle for Crimea, the Black Sea, and all of Ukraine continues every minute. The soldiers of the Security and Defense Forces continue to fight for the liberation of Ukraine from the occupiers and are destroying Russia’s military potential.
Today, on Ukrainian Military Intelligence Day, we thank the Ukrainian intelligence officers—specialists in gathering information, locating, and eliminating the enemy. Their professional and decisive actions against the Russian aggressor make an extremely important contribution to victory and bring us closer each day to the liberation of Crimea, the de-occupation of all Ukrainian territories, and the release of all Ukrainian captives. Thank you for your contribution to victory!