Raid on Tendra Spit

For other battles in the Tendra Spit, see Battle of Tendra.

Battle of Tendra Spit
Part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Date 28–29 February 2024 Location Tendra Spit, Black Sea, Russian occupied Kherson Result Ukrainian victory
Belligerents
Ukraine	Russia
Commanders and leaders
Col. Serhii Lupanchuk	Vice Admiral Vladimir Vorobyov Vice Admiral Sergei Pinchuk
Units involved
Special Operations Forces 73rd Naval Center of Maritime Special Operations	Baltic Fleet Black Sea Fleet
Casualties and losses
20–25 killed 1 captured 3 landing boats sunk 1–4 landing boats captured	2 wounded

The Battle on Tendra Spit was a failed small boat operation conducted by Ukrainian special forces against the Russian held Tendra Spit. The spit is a narrow island off the coast of Kherson oblast, on the Black Sea. It is, northwest of the Crimean Peninsula. The battle occurred over the night of 28 February and morning of 29 February 2024

Battle

Five boats loaded with Ukrainian soldiers from the 73rd Naval Center of Maritime Special Operations, a hand-picked unit specializing in clandestine maritime attacks, approached a low-lying sandy beach and attempted to land. As Ukrainian troops approached the landmass, they came under fire from Russian forces. According to Russian Milbloger Kot Dobrokhod and the Kyiv Post, the ambush was carried out by infantry members of the Russian Baltic Fleet. After suffering heavy losses, Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw. Russian sources later posted multiple photos to social media showing the aftermath of the failed landing and weapons captured from the Ukrainians. Six bodies of Ukrainian soldiers can be seen in the photos. Other images showed a pair of Western suppiled M2 Browning machine guns mounted on a boat, seven individual weapons and boxes of ammunition. The Russian information channel Readovka reported Russian troops had captured a Ukrainian flag.

Aftermath

Russian units claimed that they sank three landing crafts and killed 20 Ukrainian soldiers. The Russian defense ministry claimed that up to 25 Ukrainian personnel were killed while one was taken prisoner. Four boats were also captured, while a fifth vessel managed to escape. Russian milbloggers claimed that one boat and one prisoner were captured and that one boat managed to escape. A Russian Telegram account posted a picture of the captured Ukrainian soldier who was blindfolded with duct tape. The press service of the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posted about the operation on Telegram acknowledged losses but did not specify casualties. The post read:

Soldiers of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center died heroically during a combat mission in a clash with Russian invaders.

Ensuring the departure of the main forces of the group after the completion of a special task, the soldiers accepted their last battle, remaining in the formation forever.

The heroic and extremely difficult combat work of the SSO units on land, at sea and in the deep rear of the enemy is the daily contribution of SSO soldiers to victory over the enemy.

Always remember at what price our freedom is won.

Eternal memory and glory to fallen comrades!

Sincere condolences to the families of the victims!"

Special Operations Forces commander Colonel Serhii Lupanchuk stated: "During the performance of a combat mission, while engaging with Russian occupiers, warriors of the 73rd Marine Special Operations Center heroically died in battle. Providing cover for the withdrawal of the main forces of the group after completing a special task, the soldiers engaged in their final battle, forever remaining in the ranks."

Later, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry acknowledged the deaths of four Ukrainian soldier in the raid. Russian sources had posted photos to social media showing the bodies of six Ukrainians soldier lying on the sand bar claimed to have been killed in the action while other images showed the bodies of multiple Ukrainian soldiers inside of the boats.

According to Kot Dobrokhod, two Russian soldiers were wounded by a drone strike.

On 2 March 2024, Ukrainian reserve Major General Serhii Hryhorovych said that "the operation on the Tendra Spit had no strategic or tactical value". He also called for the officers who sent Ukrainian Special Forces soldiers to the Tendra Spit to be punished.