The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered a heavy loss during a night battle on February 29, when servicemen from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Forces Center (SSO) gave their lives, remaining in service forever.
"Ensuring the withdrawal of the main forces of the group after completing a special task, the soldiers took on their last battle, remaining in the ranks forever. The heroic and extremely complex combat work of the SSO units on land, at sea, and deep behind enemy lines is the daily contribution of the SSO soldiers to the victory over the enemy," the message says.
The report did not specify the number of soldiers killed or where they died. A group of soldiers died while trying to gain a foothold on the Tendrivskaya Spit in the northern part of the Black Sea, off the coast of the Kherson region.
The 73rd Maritime Center of the SSR also participated in the operation to liberate Zmiiniy Island on July 7, 2022. Using special equipment, its fighters surveyed the coastal zone for the presence of anti-submarine and anti-landing mines.
After establishing a passage for the boats of the main group, they gave the signal to continue the operation. The first to land on the island were engineers who cleared the passage of minefields and traps for the rest of the group. After reaching the plateau of the island, the group performed several tasks: surveying the area, recording and collecting data on enemy equipment, weapons and materiel on Zmiyino. The result of the operation was the restoration of Ukrainian control over the island, which is key for shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.
