In December 2025, during a special operation on the Zaporizhzhia axis, a sabotage and reconnaissance group from the Bratstvo unitб part of the Tymur Special Unit under Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, carried out a deep raid behind enemy lines near the Kakhovka Reservoir. The operation was officially disclosed by the Defense Intelligence on January 7, shedding light on one of the most complex intelligence actions conducted in the area in recent months.
According to the report, Ukrainian reconnaissance team successfully penetrated deep into temporarily occupied territory, operating in conditions where detection would have posed a serious risk to both the mission and personnel. Such raids require careful planning, precise navigation, and the ability to operate autonomously for extended periods, especially in areas saturated with enemy forces.
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During the combat phase of the operation, the fighters eliminated two russian soldiers, wounded two others, and captured an additional two enemy servicemen. The engagement highlights the dual nature of reconnaissance missions of this kind, which combine intelligence gathering with direct combat when necessary.
One of the most demanding phases of the operation followed immediately afterward. The Bratstvo unit conducted a prolonged and complex escort of the captured russian prisoners, covering a distance of approximately 27 kilometers. This extraction was carried out under constant threat, ultimately bringing the prisoners safely to territory controlled by Ukraine.
The captured russian soldiers provided valuable intelligence during interrogation. According to Ukrainian intelligence, they disclosed information on the locations of enemy officers, artillery positions, UAV operators, concentrations of personnel and equipment, and ammunition depots. Such data can have a direct impact on future strike planning and battlefield awareness.
As Defense Express previously reported, a key component of russian S-300V air defense system was destroyed in Donetsk region on January 5, 2026, marking another significant loss for russian air defense capabilities near the front line. The target was the 9S32 engagement radar, often described by Ukrainian operators as the "brain" of the entire system.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Take Out the "Brain" of russian S-300V Air Defense System (Video)
