12 August 2025

Chief of Intelligence Budanov inspects Zmiinyi Island

(Photo: DIU)

The Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, checked the positions of the "Timur Special Forces" fighters in Zmeinyi and gas production platforms in the Black Sea.

This was reported by the DIU press service.

During the trip to the Black Sea region, Kyrylo Budanov held a meeting with officers on further actions within the framework of the overall strategy, and also awarded the DIU fighters from the "Timur Special Forces" for their professionalism and bravery in defending the state in the war with Russia in the Black Sea.

They also honored the memory of the warriors who fell during the liberation of Zmiine and Ukrainian territorial waters of the Black Sea from Russian occupants.

"We honor the DIU servicemen and all the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine! Our effective struggle against the aggressor at sea, on land and in the sky proved to the whole world that a united Ukrainian nation is capable of defeating even a stronger enemy. No matter what anyone says, the future of Ukraine depends on us. The struggle continues," said Kyrylo Budanov.

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Video: THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE OF UKRAINE

Earlier, the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office served in absentia a notice of suspicion to the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy of violating the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy. This refers to the seizure on February 26, 2022, of the Ukrainian search and rescue vessel Sapphire, which was carrying out a humanitarian mission to evacuate the wounded and dead from the area of Zmeinyi Island.

On the evening of July 23, the ninth stage of the prisoner exchange was completed. Among the released servicemen is the last of the defenders of Zmiinyi Island - a soldier of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Vitalii Hyrenko.

In June, scouts shared details of an attack on an oil platform.

Кирило Бойко

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