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User:Davomme/sandbox/kraken special unit

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Kraken Special Unit
Спецпідрозділ «Kraken»
Spetspidrozdil «Kraken»
Kraken insignia
ActiveFebruary 2022[1][2] – present
CountryUkraine Ukraine
Branch Main Directorate of Intelligence
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleReconnaissance[3]
Sabotage[3]
Size600 - 1,500 (Estimated February 2022)[4][5][6]
1,800 (Estimated August 2022)[1]
Engagements
WebsiteOfficial Telegram channel
Commanders
Current
commander		Konstantin V. Nemichev (February 2022 - present)[18]
Notable
commanders		Serhii Velychko (February 2022 - present)[19]
Insignia
First Flag Variant
Second Flag Variant

The Kraken Special Unit (Ukrainian: Спецпідрозділ «Kraken», romanized: Spetspidrozdil «Kraken»), also commonly referred to as the Kraken Regiment or Kraken Battalion, is a Ukrainian volunteer formation of the Main Directorate of Intelligence formed in 2022.[20][21]

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's defence intelligence, said that the unit has become "one of the most battle-worthy units" throughout Ukraine - being one of the more high-profile volunteer units in the war. It was also reported that Kraken is the largest unit within the defence intelligence forces and also known with an "outstanding" fighting reputation.[22][23]

History

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Formation

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The Kraken Special Unit was formed in late February 2022, ensuing the Russian invasion of Ukraine which begun on 24 February 2022. The unit begun in Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast, while the Russians were invading as part of the Eastern Ukraine campaign, with Konstantin Nemichev gathering volunteers to form a unit.[7] Nemichev was a former soldier of the Azov Regiment, and at the time was the head of the local National Corps party.[7] Additional members such as Serhii Velychko, another veteran of the Azov Regiment joined the defenders at the end of February 2024 after he was released from being in pre-trial detention.[7]

Kraken was formed on the basis of the 225th and 226th Battalion of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade, which Nemichev was appointed on 12 March 2022, alongside many other volunteers such as ultras. It was noted that the two volunteer battalions were formed mainly of veterans of the Azov movement.[24] Among the volunteers that were recruited, it comprises of football fans, patriotic activists, and local citizens that joined in retaliation to the Russian invasion.[23] In the first days of the war the unit was estimated to be approximately 600 in strength.[22]

The volunteers of the fighting formation would go on to participate in the Battle of Kharkiv, helping to defend the inner city on 27 February 2022 alongside the Freikorps Volunteer Unit at Specialized school No.134.[25] In March 2022, after the successful operation of taking Vilkhivka village on 27 February 2022, the unit was officially formed as the Kraken Special Unit, based on a commanders naval special forces experience and background.[7]

In the early days, it was reported by Kraken's Special Assault Company's commander - callsign "Rebel", that the unit lacked ammunition, proper weaponry, or combat experience.[26]

Recruitment

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In the early days of the unit, Kraken recruited volunteers across Kharkiv and on the basis of its original battalions under Nemichev's command.[24] Over time, the process of recruitment and selection into the unit has become more complex due to the nature of the unit operating as special forces, with only a third of applicants passing.[27] Before becoming a member of the unit, candidates must undergo testing which includes questionaires and a polygraph test. After this, candidates are then taken to a training center where they go through a 14-day test - of which only about 30 to 35% of candidates pass and become fully-fledged members.[7]

Insignia

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The insignia of the special unit is based on a beast in Scandinavian mythology known as the Kraken - depicted as an aggressive creature.[28][7] The insignia follows a triangular shaped patch with a border divided in half between the colours red and black. The interior of the patch depicts the Kraken creature with a Tiwaz rune embedded in the head of the creature, with the bottom of the patch having the name of the unit inscribed in white.

Controversies and Allegations

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Nemichev in May 2022.

According to the Washington Post, it was reported that the Kraken unit also came under controversy, similarly to the Azov Battalion, with the unit allegedly drawing fighters from ultranationalist and far-right groups. These allegations were however rejected by the soldiers of the unit, claiming it to be Russian propaganda.[1] Furthermore, it was further reported that the commanders of the unit have acknowledged that far-right soldiers may be present among their ranks, claiming that they were instead "outnumbered" by those who are more dedicated to defending against the invasion instead.[1]

The unit has been accused by the BBC of mistreating Russian prisoners of war, between 26 to 27 March 2022, a video circulated online showing activities of a Ukrainian unit shooting three men in the legs at close range with an assault rifle. The video was filmed at the village of Vilkhivka, geo-located by the BBC. However, this has not been confirmed, and it had been acknowledged that other units such as the 92nd Mechanized Brigade. Nemichev was also contacted by the BBC, denying any connections to the video of the mistreatment of prisoners at the dairy - claiming to treat prisoners "humanely".

Kraken has also been subjected to misinformation and other forms of criticism online on the platform Telegram. This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda which stated that a number of Telegram channels had been spreading misinformation about Kraken for allegedly shooting civilians in the village of Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast. It was further stated that the reality of this was a Russian kamikaze drone hitting the car, killing two people and injuring one more which was confirmed by Oleh Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on 20 February 2024.[29]

Kraken has reportedly been deisgnated as a terrorist organisation in the territory of the Russian Federation, being labelled as a "nationalist formation".[30]

Equipment

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Kraken in front of a captured russian BMP-1AM in Kupiansk, September 2022.

Small arms

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Throughout the existence of the special unit, it has undergone several transformations in its small arms usage, mostly shifting to the usage of Western small arms. Since the beginning of the invasion, volunteers have used a variety of Kalashnikov rifles, predominantly the AKM and the AK-74, often mounted with various attachments to enhance durability, accuracy, and operator usage. Limited numbers of the AK-12 rifle has been seen in use by Kraken, notably in its defence of Kupiansk in late 2023.

The unit has published media showcasing their diverse weaponry, including a member known by the callsign "Vito." Kraken's arsenal features the PKM general-purpose machine gun, which has been shown with camouflage paint and a picatinny rail on the dust cover fitted with an optical sight. Other weapons include an Austrian Glock with an optical sight and suppressor, and a Malyuk bullpup rifle with a sight and suppressor.[20] The unit also utilizes Swiss B&T submachine guns, similarly fitted with suppressors and sights. Additionally, the M4A1 assault rifle is prevalent in the unit, first widely seen during the Kharkiv counteroffensive in 2022, particularly in the Battle of Balakliia.[20]

The arsenal also includes a CZ BREN 2 rifle, equipped with a foregrip, a red dot sight, and a suppressor.[20] FN SCARs, such as the SCAR-L, are in service, notably used by one of the unit's commanders, Serhii Velychko.[20] The unit also employs single-charge infantry grenade launchers designed by Heckler & Koch and other grenade launchers such as the RBG.[20]

Vehicles

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At the beginning of Kraken's existence, several trucks alongside a captured KAMAZ was used during the operation on Vilkhivka village in late March 2022.

The unit also uses a vatiety of vehicles, originating dfrom several nations. On 15 June 2022 the Kraken Special Unit receives several Alvis 4 armored vehicles from Estonia with the vehicles first arriving in Ukraine in May 2022, being marked with Ukrainian flags and symbols of the unit.[31]

Kraken has also been seen to possess several variants of the T-72 and T-80 tank platforms. Several infantry fighting vehicles such as the BMP-1, and BMP-2, alongside armored vehicles such as the BTR-82 have been spotted from official publications by the unit.

Russo-Ukrainian War

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Russian invasion of Ukraine

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The unit has fought extensively throughout the invasion, participating in some of the most important military operations in the entire conflict - notably in the Eastern Ukraine campaign.

Battle of Kharkiv

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Main article: Battle of Kharkiv (2022)
 
Kraken fighters in Vilkhivka, Kharkiv

On 24 February 2022, the day of the Russian invasion commencing, Kharkiv was attacked being one of the most important targets for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.[32] Volunteers quickly scrambled to join in the defence of the city in the early hours on the morning of the invasion, with Kraken being reportedly deployed to North Saltivka in Kharkiv alongside the 92nd Mechanized Brigade, allegedly at one point being one of the most dangerous areas during the battle according to Nemichev in a video with United24.[33] Professors and students from Kharkiv’s National Air Force University and the Law Academy defended this suburban area.[7]

Volunteers of the Kraken unit participated in a firefight that occurred outside of Specialized School No.134 towards the centre of Kharkiv city on 27 February 2022, after Russian special forces breached through the Ukrainian defenses.[7] They fought alongside other volunteers that made up the Freikorps Volunteer Unit, another volunteer organisation based in Kharkiv which had engagd in fighting pro-Russian separatists in the Luhansk direction since July 2017.

Vilkhivka
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On 25 March 2022, the unit and other forces of the Ukrainian Ground Forces such as the 92nd Mechanized Brigade attacked the village of Vilkhivka. The settlement was successfully liberated on 27 March 2022, being one of the first successful operations for Kraken.[7] The operation by Kraken into Vilkhivka was its first ever operation that it had conducted in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[34]

Ruska Lozova
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Kraken fighters were the first to enter the settlement of Ruska Lozova in April 2022, with the village being liberated on 29 April 2022.[35] [36] It was reported by the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence that Russian forces were allegedly using Tuska Lozova to "deliberately" desroy infrastructure and civilian buildings in Kharkiv city.[37] Kraken initially began an attack from the village of Lisove, encountering obstacles such as anti-personnel mines and Russian artillery. A local collaborater provided crucial intelligence, leading to a renewed assault on the town. The village was secured with a small unit covertly moving through the forests at night, holding for three days. Reinforcements by main Ukrainian Ground Forces arrived, leading to a final clearance of the settlement.[7]

Pytomnyk
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After the successful liberation of Ruska Lozova by the Kraken unit, it followed with the liberation of the Pytomnyk village located 3 kilometres from Ruska Lozova.[38] Acccording to Kraken fighters, callsign "Vito", Pytomnyk was referred to as "Height 220" - being the highest point on the northern front. The village was used to open fire on Kharkiv with 2S3 self-propelled howitzers and BM-21 Grads.[7]

Battle of Donbas

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On 16 July 2022 it became knwon that the Kraken unit conducted an operation in the Luhansk Region, in Bilohorivka.[39] During the operation they clashed with Russian forces, and captured a Russian intelligence officer. Kraken later published an interrogation of the officer in a later video, with material from the phone of the officer being revealed alongside a digital diary with his time in Ukraine.[40]

Kharkiv Counteroffensive

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Main article: Kharkiv counteroffensive

On 6 September 2023, most of the Ukrainian troops, including Kraken, were concentrated on the north of Balakliia. Fighters of the Kraken Special Unit entered Balakliia on 8 September 2022, welcomed by its residents, and raised the Ukrainian flag.[41] The liberation of the city was officially announced later on 8 September 2022 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that the town in Kharkiv Oblast was now under the control by Ukrainian Forces.[42] Balakliia was the first major town during the offensive to be captured by Kraken and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

On 16 September 2022, it was reported by the Kraken unit that soldiers of the unit liberated the eastern part of Kupiansk, the eastern part of the city being separated from the rest of Kupiansk by the Oskil River. The 92nd Mechanized brigade liberated the western side, while Kraken liberated the east.[43] It was described by the Guardian that Kraken had played an active role in the month's lightning offensive, in which Ukraine retook 300 settlements and an area half the size of Wales.[44]

Organization

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Leadership

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The commander of the unit is Konstantin Nemichev, a military and political figure in Kharkiv. Alongside him is Serhii Velychko, both commanders were veterans of the Azov Regiment.[19]

Units

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There are many units within the structure of the Kraken Special Unit, many carrying out various capabilities.

Kraken Special Assault Company

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One of the most notable units in Kraken, the Special Assault Company participated in the liberation of Ruska Lozova in April 2022.

Structure

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According to all known publications encompassing Kraken, the structure of the unit is as follows:

  • Kraken Special Unit
    • Special Assault Company[45]
    • Armored Company
    • Artillery Group
    • J9 Civil Department

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kunkle, Fredrick; Korolchuk, Serhii (3 June 2022). "Ukraine's volunteer 'Kraken' unit takes the fight to the Russians". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  2. ^ Korshak, Stefan (17 May 2023). "Specialized Unit Kraken – Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Units to Watch #6". Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - KyivPost. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Reconnaissance officers of "Kraken" unit received drones and warming kits from volunteers". Всі новини України на UAnews.net / News UA. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Ukrainian "Kraken" Elite Unit in Vanguard of the Kharkiv Counteroffensive". Defense Express. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  5. ^ Lidón, Luis (22 June 2022). "Ukraine volunteer unit Kraken says Russia is building up forces in Kharkiv". La Prensa Latina Media. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  6. ^ Shcherbak, Alla (13 November 2023). "Exclusive: How Ukraine's military intelligence conducted their first successful operations against Russian forces in Kharkiv". Ukraine News Premier Independent English-language Source — The New Voice of Ukraine. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Kraken attacks: the story of the Defence Intelligence unit that the Russians have demonised". Ukrainska Pravda. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Kraken special forces unit carries out operations in Bilohorivka". Militarnyi (in Latin). 16 July 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Ukrainian fighters captured a Russian intelligence officer". Ukrainska Pravda. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  10. ^ Epstein, Jake (11 April 2023). "Ukraine's military intel chief privately warned Bakhmut was 'catastrophic' as he made a gamble to get it under control, leaked documents show". Business Insider. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  11. ^ "How artillery of Kharkiv "Kraken" fought enemy near Soledar. VIDEO". Censor.NET. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Defenders liberate Novoselivske village in Luhansk Oblast". Ukrainska Pravda. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  13. ^ Shcherbak, Alla (31 December 2022). "Dramatic video from Ukraine's Kraken special ops group shows liberation of Novoselivske". Ukraine News Premier Independent English-language Source — The New Voice of Ukraine. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Dramatic video from Ukraine's Kraken special ops group shows liberation of Novoselivske". Yahoo News. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Ukraine's Kraken unit releases video from Chasiv Yar, says 'no occupiers in city'". The Kyiv Independent. 7 May 2024.
  16. ^ Stein, Aaron; Lee, Rob (15 May 2024). "Russia Launches New Offensive in Ukraine". Foreign Policy Research Institute. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  17. ^ Hardie, John (14 May 2024). "Russia's Kharkiv Offensive Stretches Ukrainian Forces". FDD. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  18. ^ McCardle, Guy (6 June 2022). "Ukraine's Kraken Special Forces Take the Fight To the Russians". SOFREP. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  19. ^ a b ""Мама дізналась з новин, що я – в ГУР" – командир штурмової роти "Kraken" Чіча". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). 22 February 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Ukrainian Kraken Regiment show their small arms and revolver grenade launchers". Ukrainska Pravda. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Russian forces strike locations of Kraken, Georgian Legion groupings in DPR". TASS. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  22. ^ a b Shcherbak, Alla (13 November 2023). "Exclusive: How Ukraine's military intelligence conducted their first successful operations against Russian forces in Kharkiv". Ukraine News Premier Independent English-language Source — The New Voice of Ukraine. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  23. ^ a b Korshak, Stefan (17 May 2023). "Specialized Unit Kraken – Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Units to Watch #6". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  24. ^ a b Жуков, Сергій (12 March 2022). "Два батальйони тероборони Харкова влилися до складу ЗСУ". NV (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  25. ^ "a year on from Kharkiv Oblast being liberated, its residents tell their stories". The Ferret. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  26. ^ ""Звільняти Харківщину їхали на "ланосах". Командир штурмової групи спецпідрозділу "Кракен" – про героїзм харків'ян, патріотизм ультрас і специфіку роботи". Новинарня – новини України, що воює (in Ukrainian). 15 December 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  27. ^ Baghai, Christian (9 June 2023). "Unraveling the Enigma: Ukraine's Kraken Special Forces, Putin's Unforeseen Nightmare". Medium. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  28. ^ Lotzof, Kerry (6 August 2021). "Sea monsters and their inspiration: serpents, mermaids, the kraken and more". Natural History Museum. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Russians are spreading fake information about "Ukrainian special force unit shooting civilians"". Ukrainska Pravda. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  30. ^ Степанов, Александр (16 May 2024). "Хроника СВО: Под Харьковом войска РФ продавливают оборону противника". Российская газета (in Russian). Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Ukrainian unit "KRAKEN" received Alvis 4 armored vehicles". Militarnyi (in Latin). 15 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  32. ^ Khurshudyan, Isabelle; Berger, Miriam (28 February 2022). "Why Kharkiv, a city known for its poets, has become a key battleground in Ukraine". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Від добровольців до елітного формування. Історія харківського спецпідрозділу ГУР". Головне управління розвідки МО України (in Ukrainian). 24 February 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  35. ^ "In April 2022, Intelligence Directorate Chief took part in liberation of Ruska Lozova, Kharkiv Oblast". Ukrainska Pravda. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  36. ^ "The village of Ruska Lozova in the Kharkiv region was liberated from the Russian invaders". Militarnyi (in Latin). 29 April 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  37. ^ "During the Liberation of Ruska Lozova Settlement, the DIU Special Forces Personnel Have Destroyed Dozens of Units of Military Equipment and Manpower of the Occupiers". Головне управління розвідки МО України. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  38. ^ "The KRAKEN unit showed the liberation of the village of Pytomnyk in the Kharkiv region". Militarnyi (in Latin). 13 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  39. ^ "Kraken special forces unit carries out operations in Bilohorivka". Militarnyi (in Latin). 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  40. ^ "Ukrainian fighters captured a Russian intelligence officer". Ukrainska Pravda. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  41. ^ Telishevska, Sofiia (8 September 2022). "The Armed Forces completely liberated Balakliia in Kharkiv region". Бабель. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  42. ^ "Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the liberation of the city of Balakliia". Ukrainska Pravda. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  43. ^ Zoria, Yuri (16 September 2022). "Eastern part of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, has been liberated". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  44. ^ Harding, Luke; Koshiw, Isobel (18 September 2022). "Ukrainians flee shelling of Kupiansk as Russian forces try to slow advances". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Welcome". Sa-Company. Retrieved 14 June 2024.


External Reading

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