Ukrainian vs. Russian Special Forces
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The Renew Democracy Initiative, in collaboration with New Debate and General Ben Hodges, brings you a unique look into Ukrainian special operations during the Russian Invasion. General Hodges is joined by his friend and Retired US Major General Mike Repass. Major General Repass was the former Commanding General of Special Operations Command Europe, where he was responsible for developing and training special forces in Ukraine and other allied countries. Repass offers essential insights into how US training and preparation have contributed to Ukraine's stunning military success and the robustness of its government coordination and leadership.
General Repass helps explain the genealogy of Ukraine's special forces. Some reside under the Ministry of Defense under the Special Operations Command, such as the Special Operations Capable Force known as "the GUR." GUR conducts intelligence-driven operations. Next, there are special forces units operating under the Ministry of Interior, known as SBU Alpha. SBU Alpha is the successor to the KGB, the central security apparatus in the former Soviet Union. This SBU variant of Ukraine's Special Forces is equivalent to the FBI in the United States, with the addition of a formidable paramilitary force.
General Repass speaks about his involvement with NATO and its role in training Ukrainian special forces, stating that NATO's programming has been focused within the Ministry of Defense under its Special Operations Command. Nations such as the US, UK, Poland, and Lithuania coordinate exercises through an organizational and logistics structure known as the Multinational Special Forces Operations Advisory Team (MSAT). Other multinational efforts, such as the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine, an effort General Hodges was directly involved in, played an important role in strengthening Ukraine's military.
General Hodges has always sensed that the Russian rear is insecure, specifically in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Although these oblasts are under Russian control, the idea that the entire population supports the Russian military is wholly fabricated. General Repass notes that in addition to internal security risks, Russian Special Forces, also known as "Spetsnaz," have failed to live up to the capabilities that Ukrainian forces have achieved.
General Repass gives us an idea of the widespread nature of small resistance movements within Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. He specifically points to Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv, where resistance forces were chipping away at railroad bridges, crossing points, and footbridges––all crucial points on Russia's logistics line. President Zelensky has recognized the value that these smaller resistance movements have had on Ukraine's ability to wage a successful asymmetric war and has even called on many of them to assist Ukrainian forces in certain offensive operations.
Presented by:
Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges. United States Army
With:
Major General (Retired) Mike Repass. U.S. Army Special Forces
Filmed and Edited by:
Dan Poole
Sound Design by:
JD Evans
VFX by:
Smith Robinson Multimedia
Produced by:
Matt Dreher
Cort Kristensen
Dan Poole
Executive Producers:
Uriel Epshtein
Noor Greene
Additional Graphics:
Gabriel Strobel
Additional Writing:
Sohan Mewada
Licensed Archive by:
Pond 5
Planet Labs
Licensed Music by:
Audio Network
Fair Use:
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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