Raid in the Heart of the Black Sea: How Reconnaissance Men Stormed a Seized Drilling Platform in Crimea

A film was shown about the DIU's maritime operation on the captured platform in the Black Sea near Crimea. The intelligence officers spoke about the difficult conditions of the landing, the scale of the facility and the strategic importance of this mission for controlling the sea area.

This was reported by Crimean Wind with reference to the UNITED24 film.

The global initiative UNITED24 presented a documentary about the secret operation of the Ukrainian special forces NOBODY, which is part of the "Timur Special Forces" of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The film tells about a military raid on the Russian-held Petro Godovanets drilling platform in the Black Sea, an operation that changed the balance of power in the northwestern part of the water area.

After the de-occupation of Zmeinyi Island, the fighters were given a new mission - to regain control of the offshore infrastructure, including the so-calledBoyko rigs. The platforms were occupied back in 2014 during the annexation of Crimea and were used by the Russians as observation points, warehouses, and bases for maritime drones and air defense systems.

The NOBODY unit stormed the Petro Godovanets platform in difficult weather conditions - under storm waves, with minimal visibility and under the threat of air strikes. The landing was carried out from several boats lined up in a combat formation right in the middle of the Black Sea.

When you first approach this structure, it seems small. But when we got on the platform, we realized its scale - it is a real sea monster," said a scout with the call sign Kos, a participant in the operation.

In addition to the assault, the film also shows a strike on the captured Ukrainian platform "Ukraine" and the downing of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet during the return of the Ukrainian team.

Exclusive footage of the operation itself, the preparations for it, the daily life of the special forces, and their interaction during the battle are shown.

"It's not just a building - it's a metal box, where it's hard to breathe, hot, no water and limited food. But you have to keep the defense, set up fortifications, and prepare for repulse," the soldier said.

According to the soldiers, this operation was not just a model of bravery, but a strategic success that allowed them to regain control of part of the sea space, interrupt the enemy's logistics and reduce the threat from the Black Sea.

Their group stormed one of the platforms, while other units stormed their targets. Then everyone regrouped and delivered a strong blow to the object. It was not only a physical but also a psychological blow to the myth of Russian naval superiority.

As the filmmakers noted, this is not just a story about one operation. This is a chronicle of the courage and professionalism of Ukrainian reconnaissance men who operate in the most dangerous conditions and continue to fight for every kilometer of Ukrainian land and sea.

In September 2023, Ukrainian intelligence officers regained control of the drilling platforms in the Black Sea near Crimea, known as the Boyko Rigs. After the annexation of the peninsula, Russia seized these facilities in 2015 and used them for military purposes - as landing sites for helicopters and bases for radar.

The liberation operation was carried out by units of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. The Petro Godovalets and Ukraina drilling rigs, as well as the Tavrida and Syvash jack-up platforms, were returned.

Анна Бальчінос