Sonechko Battalion (Ukraine)
| Sonechko Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Сонечко | |
 Battalion insignia | |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Branch |  Main Directorate of Intelligence |
| Type | Spetsnaz |
| Role | Reconnaissance, counteroffensive and sabotage |
| Size | Detachment |
| Part of | Tymur Special Operations Detachment |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Oleksandr (surname unknown) |
| Insignia | |
| Former Insignia[1] |  |
The Special Purpose Battalion "Sonechko" is a volunteer special operations unit. One of the spetsnaz units of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, the unit was established in 2014. Composed mostly of volunteers from Zakarpattia Oblast, the unit conducts special reconnaissance, sabotage, and other covert operations. It is a part of Tymur Special Operations Detachment.
History
[edit]The battalion started as a self-organized volunteer militia in 2014, following the Russian invasion of Crimea.[2] Its personnel fought in the War in Donbas, such as near Bilohorivka, Avdiivka, Pisky and other areas.[3] It was associated with Right Sector[4][5] and once skirmished with Ukrainian police in Mukachevo over some disputes in 2015; two personnel of the battalion were killed.[6][7][8]
On 24 February 2022, the unit announced full mobilization and set off for Kyiv to partake in the Battle of Kyiv following which it took part in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive and the 2022 Kherson counteroffensive as well as the Battle of Bakhmut and the Battle of Avdiivka.[9] The battalion arrived in Kyiv and took up the duties of conducting mainly sabotage and reconnaissance operations; it struck the Russian Kyiv convoy and conducted recon operations in the Battle of Lyutish, Battle of Irpin and the Battle of Bucha. By late March 2022, the battalion was conducting clearance operations in liberated villages, clearing houses and basements. During one such operation, Russian tanks struck the battalion's forces killing one and wounding several more.[10] During the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, the battalion commander was wounded during an assault on Russian positions near Kozacha Lopan.[10] In August 2022, soldiers of the battalion captured a Russian T-72B tank during an operation in Donetsk Oblast.[11][12] In September 2022, it was conducting special operations throughout the front.[13] The battalion took part in the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive. On 26 June 2023, a soldier of the battalion (Stepan Shapchenko) was killed in combat in Zaporizhzhia Oblast while partaking in the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive.[14] In February 2024, the battalion was seeing heavy combat.[15] On 30 May 2024, Russian media reported that four soldiers of the battalion had been taken captive during the Battle of Vovchansk.[16]
Commanders
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Symbolism Behind Official and Unofficial Ukrainian Military Chevrons
- ^ Bargain Basement Bombers: Ukraine’s Homemade Drones Hit Russian Forces (Updated)
- ^ "Тренування розвідників-штурмовиків". Main Directorate of Intelligence (in Ukrainian). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Лідера закарпатського «Правого сектора» залишили під вартою: йому загрожує довічне [The leader of the Transcarpathian "Right Sector" was kept in custody: he faces life imprisonment]". hromadske (in Ukrainian). 25 October 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ ""Правий сектор" Закарпаття відновив свою діяльність (ФОТО) @ Закарпаття онлайн ["Right Sector" of Zakarpattia Resumed Its Activities (PHOTO)]". Закарпаття онлайн (in Ukrainian). 18 December 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Romanyuk, Roman; Musaieva-Borovyk, Sevgil (13 July 2015). "Мукачівський трикутник. Контрабанда, Правий сектор та закляті друзі [Mukachevo Triangle. Smuggling, Right Sector, and Bitter Enemies]". Українська правда (Ukrainska Pravda) (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Стрілянина в Мукачево: Нардеп в подробицях розповів хронологію перестрілки в Мукачево [MP detailed the chronology of the shootout in Mukachevo]". ТСН.ua (in Ukrainian). 11 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Переділ контрабанди в Мукачево призвів до збройного протистояння (ВІДЕО) [The division of smuggling in Mukachevo led to an armed confrontation (VIDEO)]". texty.org.ua (in Ukrainian). 11 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Закарпатський батальйон “Сонечко” організовано вийшов із Авдіївки
- ^ a b c "Виконуємо інструкції, написані кров'ю": розповідь волинянина з розвідбату "Сонечко"
- ^ АрміяInform. Закарпатські «сонечки» затрофеїли рашистський Т-72 Б
- ^ Transcarpathian "Sonechko" (Sunshine) unit captures Russian tank base
- ^ Island of hopes. To the 30th anniversary of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine
- ^ "Побратими називали його незамінним воїном: на війні загинув 23-річний доброволець з Закарпаття". fakty.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ Ukrainian special forces storm Russian trench amid heavy fighting and evacuate wounded comrade
- ^ Russian assault forces capture seven Ukrainian commandos near Volchansk
- ^ Ukraine war: Military chiefs in Kyiv under pressure over deadly Russian strike
- ^ Dozens of Ukrainian troops killed in Russian ballistic missile attack