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Ukrainian Special Forces: Echoes of SAS Rogue Heroes in Fight Against Russia
As Britain faced dire straits during World War II, a resourceful officer assembled a team of unconventional soldiers, forging the legendary Special Air Service (SAS). Inspired by this historical precedent, Ukraine, confronting a formidable Russian offensive, has similarly deployed a unit of unorthodox operatives, hailed as their own “Rogue Heroes,” to conduct daring missions and bolster their defense. This elite Ukrainian special forces group is drawing parallels with the famed SAS for their audacious operations and critical role in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Audacious Incursion into Kursk and Defiant Message
Lieutenant Colonel Vano Nadiradze leads this intrepid unit, whose operatives spearheaded the bold incursion into Kursk last August, an operation that reverberated internationally and caught Moscow off guard. Despite recent Russian advances in Ukraine, Lt Col Nadiradze conveys a resolute message to the global community.
“The strategy was successful; it achieved its objective,” stated the 55-year-old special operations veteran from Kyiv, where he is currently recovering. He further indicated a Russian region south of Kursk, into which Ukraine has confirmed incursions this week. “Now,” he asserted, “focus your attention on Belgorod.”
Veteran Fighter with a Personal Vendetta
This seasoned Georgian fighter has been battling Russian forces since the 1990s, witnessing two invasions of his homeland before joining the Ukrainian cause in 2014.
“As long as I am alive and capable of wielding a weapon, I will eliminate Russians,” he declared, emphasizing, “It is a matter of blood vengeance.”
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Deep Behind Enemy Lines: Unseen Operations
The Kursk offensive, marking the first instance of foreign territory occupation since World War II, stunned the world, and Nadiradze suggests more significant operations are anticipated.
The identity of his special forces reconnaissance unit remains confidential, and their precise operational locations are undisclosed. However, it is understood they are now deeply entrenched within Russian territory.
Operating for extended periods in hostile territory, these soldiers evade drones and patrols to pinpoint crucial military targets, often approaching within striking distance before coordinating attacks.
They act as the vanguard, preparing the ground for conventional forces, and subsequently employ unconventional methods to retreat undetected to safety, ready for subsequent deployments.
While most of their missions are classified, they are now revealing details of some audacious incursions, appealing for increased European support to sustain their operations.
‘Madmen’ Behind Enemy Lines: A Bakhmut Escape
Among the ranks are two Ukrainian soldiers, code-named Popeye, 43, and the Non-Flying Dutchman, 49, who executed an escape from Bakhmut reminiscent of SAS founder David Stirling, known as the “Phantom Major” for his ability to infiltrate enemy lines using fluent German.
“These absolute daredevils were trapped behind enemy lines for 22 days,” Lt Col Nadiradze recounted with pride. “Everyone presumed they were dead, given the intense bombardment and Russian offensive.”
“I was prepared to inform their families of their demise, but I maintained a flicker of hope for their survival.”
After over three weeks, the two mavericks reappeared on Ukrainian territory, narrowly avoiding friendly fire due to their Russian uniforms.
“During those 22 days in Russian-controlled territory, they eliminated six enemy soldiers,” Lt Col Nadiradze disclosed.
“Donning captured uniforms, they discreetly moved between bombed-out buildings, inching back towards the border.”
“In one instance, they encountered four Russians drinking inside a ruined structure. Wearing Russian uniforms, they simply joined them.”
Inglourious Basterds Moment: Deception and Escape
Popeye’s fluency in Russian masked the Dutchman’s heavy Ukrainian accent, forcing him to maintain near silence, mirroring the tense scene from Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.”
They successfully deceived the Russians and proceeded towards the border, even being escorted part of the way by their unsuspecting companions. However, as they parted, the Dutchman, in a momentary lapse, hugged one of the Russians and exclaimed in Ukrainian, “Thank you lads!”
“Popeye instinctively reached for his grenade, poised to detonate them all, but fortunately, their inebriated state prevented them from noticing,” Lt Col Nadiradze recounted.
Sergeant Partsvania: A ‘Bad Boy’ on the Front Lines
Another key member of this close-knit unit is Sergeant Giorgi Partsvania, 35, who deceptively told his family he was traveling to Poland for work before making his way to the combat zone.
“My mother was not pleased,” he admitted from a Kyiv cafe. “She discovered the truth when a comrade posted a picture of us on an operation.”
“I don’t recruit ‘mummy’s boys’,” his commander remarked about him. “I want ‘bad boys’ – I understand how to manage them.”
Sergeant Partsvania was among the first to enter Russian territory, carrying a Georgian flag which he raised upon reaching Kursk.
“The feeling was indescribable – like the thrill of receiving a major gift as a child,” he recalled.
He has neutralized suicide drones at close range with a shotgun, triggered a concealed minefield that could have decimated over 20 soldiers, and approached within 60 meters of a heavily fortified Russian position in Kursk before directing artillery fire.
Last summer, while recovering from an injury in hospital, he learned of his unit’s redeployment into Russian territory. He promptly left the hospital and rushed to the border to rejoin them.
Following a reprimand from Lt Col Nadiradze, Sergeant Partsvania is now addressing his injuries, but remains committed to returning to the fight.
“Await the surprises,” he said with a grin. “There will be more surprises. Ukrainians are a resilient people – and we will prevail.”