One of Ukraine’s most secretive weapons in the fight against the Russian invasion is becoming more widely known. According to British network Sky News, it is a network of Ukrainian citizens living and fighting behind Russian front lines, supported by Ukraine’s special forces. The network’s commander notes that this growing resistance includes civilians of all ages and genders who are loyal to Ukraine and possess great courage.
The missions of these individuals are similar to those undertaken by Britain’s Special Operations Executive during World War II, including espionage, sabotage, and the “neutralization” of Russian forces.
The commander, who remains anonymous for security reasons and is referred to as “Mykola,” said that the resistance operates in Crimea as well as in parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Additionally, there are groups on standby in areas of Ukraine that might fall under Russian control.
In an interview with Sky News, Mykola stated that this activity is extremely dangerous, with many participants having lost their lives or ended up in Russian prisons. However, the determination remains strong, as their goal of Ukraine’s freedom justifies the losses.
This is the first time the head of Ukraine’s Special Resistance Forces has given an interview, emphasizing that the network’s members work quietly and secretly, without expecting immediate reward or glory. Their common goal is to defend their homeland, with a clear message: the Russians must either kill them all or leave.
In videos shared by the Ukrainian special forces and presented on Sky News, various resistance missions are shown. One video purportedly shows resistance members setting fire to electrical transformers in the Voronezh region of southwestern Russia. Another video from 2023 shows individuals spray-painting the resistance logo on buildings in the occupied Donetsk region.
Additionally, a video from the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022 shows a resistance member recording Russian troop movements in the city of Irpin, near Kyiv, during Moscow’s failed attempt to capture the capital.
“We also try to eliminate Russian military personnel at any cost and destroy their military equipment,” Mykola said.
The intelligence gathered by resistance members is passed on to the Ukrainian armed forces, aiding in the coordination of military attacks and other offensive actions, including operations in Crimea.
The commander emphasized that the resistance will play a crucial role in any future efforts to force the Russian military to withdraw from Crimea, which has been occupied since 2014.
“Many of the people we command there undertake reconnaissance missions,” Mykola stated. “It’s no wonder the FSB [Russian security services] is working hard [in Crimea]. But even so, they cannot catch our people.”
Mykola revealed that the resistance began informally when Russia first invaded Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine nearly a decade ago. However, it evolved into a more formal structure under special forces command just before Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
He described the program as similar to an iceberg. He is at the visible tip, with special forces officers responsible for various parts of the resistance, and the extensive network of members spreading out beneath them.
When asked about the size of the resistance, he responded, “I can’t give you a specific number because that information is classified. But I can tell you that there are thousands of people… I’m happy to see that this network continues to grow.”
“We have now started a campaign to promote the resistance movement and are creating conditions for every Ukrainian citizen to contact us confidentially and offer their services,” Mykola said.
Although the open recruitment policy increases the chances of pro-Russian elements infiltrating the network, the commander noted that his team is vigilant and cuts ties with anyone they suspect of being a “mole” working for the other side.
