How a group of volunteers from the ground forces reconnaissance battalion of the Ukrainian armed forces destroyed an officer sabotage group of the elite special operations forces of the Russian armed forces.
On July 28, near the village of Mkhy, Semenivka District, Chernihiv region, a reconnaissance group from one of the reconnaissance battalions of the Ukrainian Ground Forces discovered and attacked a Russian sabotage group during a search operation in a forested area.
The Russians were well-equipped, dressed in camouflage suits, and each had rifles with optical and thermal sights and silencers, along with a large quantity of ammunition. They were battle-ready. Notably, one of the killed Russians, despite having been injured in the leg, managed to apply a high-quality tourniquet—this group had modern first aid kits, unlike the standard Esmarch tourniquets issued to ordinary “disposable” infantry.
Finding a sabotage group in a dense forest without a clearly defined front line is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, and destroying the group under such conditions demonstrates extraordinary skills.
The fight was a close-quarters battle in a dense forest. Reinforcements could not reach our soldiers quickly, so the outcome was determined by the high level of fire training, proper tactics, and, most importantly, the character of the Ukrainian warriors, who moved forward decisively and acted as a cohesive team.
During the battle, Russian forces attempted to provide fire support to the saboteurs. The “Senezh” group was supported by several drones and an artillery battery operating from Bryansk Region.
However, the Northern Operational Command responded with several precise strikes on positions in Russian territory, causing enemy casualties and suppressing Russian artillery, with one gun being destroyed.
During the battle, five Russian saboteurs were killed on site, and another wounded Russian attempted to flee but did not get far and bled out.
According to Russian sources, the destroyed group consisted solely of officers, including two majors, two captains, and one senior lieutenant. The rank and name of the sixth member are being confirmed.
“Senezh” is the elite of the Russian army, the best of the best, selected through rigorous screening.
The Russians were eliminated by a Ukrainian reconnaissance group composed of volunteer servicemen mobilized in 2022, who underwent high-quality training.
This is not the first battle for this reconnaissance group against Russian saboteurs. Russian Special Operations Forces have published videos of their groups operating in the border areas of Ukraine. There have been previous encounters with these groups, resulting in enemy losses.
However, on July 28, such a group was destroyed in its entirety for the first time.
The organization and execution of counter-sabotage operations by the Northern Operational Command in this area, the procedures, preparation, and tactics of our reconnaissance battalion’s reconnaissance group deserve study and dissemination of their experience across the front.
The key role was played, of course, by the soldiers themselves. The commander of the reconnaissance group deserves the highest state award of Ukraine for his brave and professional actions, and all participants in the battle should also receive high awards.
The photo shows part of the equipment of the Russian Special Operations Forces sabotage group from the 322nd Special Purpose Center “Senezh.”
Sources say that some of the rifles had Delta Optics thermal sights, but they likely got damaged and ended up somewhere in the bushes, so they may never be found.
Tags: Chernihiv oblast Russia russia ukraine war Ukraine
