The SOF Command confirmed the loss of soldiers in the Kherson region

29 February, 2024 Operators of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center, winter 2024. Illustrative photo During the execution of the combat assignment, the soldiers of the 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center suffered serious losses in the battle in the Kherson region.

The Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on this. "While performing a combat mission in a clash with the Russian invaders, the soldiers of the 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center were killed as heroes. Ensuring the withdrawal of the main forces of the group after completing a special task, the soldiers took their last battle forever remaining in the ranks," the agency reported.

The battle with the Russian military broke out on February 28 during the group's landing in the occupied territories of the Kherson region near the Tendra Spit.

Tendra Spit, Kherson region, Ukraine. Photo credits: Google map

It is reported that the group was moving in several boats in the Black Sea to land on the coast in a given area.

Having encountered the enemy and suffered losses in fire contact, it was forced to withdraw. Reliable information on the goals and course of the operation conducted behind enemy lines in the occupied territories remains unknown.

73rd Naval Special Purpose Center

Soldiers of the 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center specialize in performing complex tasks related to work at sea, but during the Russian invasion, they are also constantly involved in ground operations. In particular, in early February 2024, the Center's fighters successfully conducted a Citadel special operation in the Black Sea, during which they destroyed a radar station and Russian equipment on one of the oil platforms off the coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The soldiers published unique footage and video of the infiltration of an enemy facility and the destruction of equipment that helped the enemy conduct reconnaissance and attacks with drones in the region.

Ukrainian special forces on one of the oil platforms off the coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea. February, 2024. Frame from the video of the 73rd Naval Center of the SOF

In addition, since the beginning of the year, at least two episodes of ground combat have been reported involving fighters of the 73rd Naval Special Purpose Center.

The Center's forces destroyed an anti-aircraft missile system in the Kherson region and eliminated an enemy crew of the Zala drone.