Kraken Regiment

The Kraken Regiment (Ukrainian: Спецпідрозділ «Kraken», romanized: Spetspidrozdil «Kraken») is a Ukrainian military volunteer unit, part of the spetsnaz units of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR)[1] formed on 24 February 2022, the same day as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kraken Regiment
Спецпідрозділ «Kraken»
Spetspidrozdil «Kraken»
Logo of the Kraken Regiment
Active2022–present
CountryUkraine Ukraine
Branch Main Directorate of Intelligence[1]
TypeInfantry
Size1,800 (estimate by soldiers)[2]
Anniversaries24 February
Engagements
Websitehttps://t.me/kraken_kha
Commanders
Current
commander		Konstantin V. Nemichev

Named after the mythical sea creature, the regiment was formed by veterans of the Azov Regiment and has successfully liberated several occupied villages during the fighting, later also taking part in counter offensives and sabotage operations, becoming one of the more high-profile volunteer units in the war.

History
Member of the Kraken Regiment burning a pro-Russian billboard with a Molotov cocktail

In April 2022, the unit dismantled the monument to Marshal Georgy Zhukov in Kharkiv.[3] In late September, it was reported that Nemichev claimed the unit had captured more than 15 Russian officers, handing them over to the Main Intelligence Directorate. He was quoted saying “All of them were thrown into the infantry. Therefore, it is indicative that Russians have big problems now. They do not know where to get people to send to death. Therefore, they gather them in different units and deploy them here. So they’re not doing well as it is, and then we come along and ‘spoil the mood’ some more.”[4]

Also in September, the regiment was reported to have played a key role in recapturing Izium.[5] In late December, the Main Directorate of Intelligence published a video showing Kraken along with the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade carrying out an assault on Novoselivske, successfully removing the Russian forces in the settlement and inflicting losses upon Russian equipment and personnel.[6] In January 2023, the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally thanked the regiment for their work fighting enemies in the Soledar region.[7]

In March 2023, Kraken announced the destruction of a Russian observation tower in Bryansk Oblast through the use of a kamikaze drone.[8] The unit posted a video of the operation showing the tower being destroyed, though did not specify exactly when it took place.[9][10]

Leadership

The commander of the regiment, Konstantin V. Nemichev, is a military and political figure in Kharkiv, member of the National Corps and veteran of the Azov Battalion,[11] with many of his supporters joining the unit.

Members

Like the Azov Regiment, the Kraken Regiment has also been the subject of controversy surrounding recruitment of fighters from far-right groups, though the soldiers of the unit reject the claim as Russian propaganda. Commanders in the unit acknowledged that it is possible that far-right individuals are members in the regiment, but said such people are outnumbered by a diverse group with the intent to defend Ukraine. Kraken is not officially part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but answers to the Defense Ministry.[2]

The unit is said to be composed of "gym rats", "ultras" and bouncers, while also having drawn in experienced combat veterans of ages varying between 25 and 60. The morale of the regiment has been described as high.[2]

Equipment

Kraken has published media showcasing their use of Western small arms weaponry, including Austrian Glock pistols, Belgian Scar rifles, American M4A1 assault rifles, DD MK18's, Swiss B&T submachine guns, and lightweight multi-shot RBG6 hand grenade launchers made in Croatia.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Під час звільнення населеного пункту Руська Лозова спецпризначенці ГУР МО України знищили десятки одиниць бойової техніки та живої сили окупантів". Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  2. Kunkle, Fredrick (3 June 2022). "Ukraine's volunteer 'Kraken' unit takes the fight to the Russians". The Washington Post.
  3. "Monument to Zhukov demolished in Kharkiv". Ukrinform. 17 April 2022. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  4. "Ukraine's Kraken special forces unit says it captures officers, 'spoils mood' of enemy". Yahoo News. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  5. Haynes, Deborah (15 September 2022). "Ukraine war: Behind Russia's abandoned lines, ammunition, scattered clothes and wrecked vehicles found". Sky News. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  6. "Dramatic video from Ukraine's Kraken special ops group shows liberation of Novoselivske". Yahoo News. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  7. "These Ukraine troops are standing up to the Wagner mercenaries". Switzerland Times. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  8. "Ukraine destroys surveillance tower in Russian border region, military says". CNN. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  9. "Kraken special unit announces destruction of observation tower in Russia". Yahoo News. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  10. "Ukraine's Top Generals Want to Keep Fighting for Bakhmut". The New York Times. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  11. University, © Stanford; Stanford; California 94305. "MMP: Azov Battalion". cisac.fsi.stanford.edu. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  12. "Ukrainian Kraken Regiment show their small arms and revolver grenade launchers". Ukrainska Pravda. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
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