September 7 Military Intelligence Day of Ukraine

On September 7, Ukraine marks Military Intelligence Day. The history of the modern military intelligence service of independent Ukraine began on September 7, 1992. In the 21st century, amid the full-scale war launched by russia, Ukraine’s military intelligence and special units of the Defence Forces carry out large-scale operations that influence the course of the confrontation on land, at sea, and deep behind enemy lines.

In the spring and summer of 2022, military intelligence officers, together with other units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, conducted a unique operation to liberate Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea. Through precision strikes, the deployment of special forces, and the systematic destruction of enemy equipment and surveillance systems, russia lost the ability to hold this strategically important location. On June 30, 2022, Russian forces withdrew from the island. Its liberation weakened russia’s control over the northwestern Black Sea and played an important role in restoring civilian navigation.

During the preparations for the Kursk operation, which began in August 2024, intelligence, a thorough analysis of the enemy’s defences, and strict secrecy played an important role. Ukrainian forces identified weaknesses in the border defences and carried out a sudden breakthrough into russia’s Kursk region. The operation caught the aggressor completely by surprise and demonstrated the effectiveness of manoeuvre warfare, the scale of its planning, and skilful command of the operational situation.

Operation Synytsia, carried out in 2023, became an outstanding example of intelligence mastery. Through the military intelligence service’s long and meticulous work, a russian pilot was persuaded to defect to Ukraine and bring a completely undamaged Mi-8 helicopter to a Ukrainian airfield, together with valuable documentation and classified technical equipment. The operation demonstrated the importance of careful planning, strict secrecy, and intellectual work in accomplishing exceptionally complex missions.

These operations attracted the attention of military experts worldwide as examples of high effectiveness, large-scale planning, strict secrecy, and the ability to take the enemy by surprise. The exceptional courage, endurance, and intelligence of Ukrainian military intelligence officers and service members enable Ukraine to resist a significantly larger adversary. The Ukrainian people express their sincere and profound gratitude to the professionals of military intelligence for saving the lives of our citizens, defending national sovereignty, and bringing victory closer every day.