Budanov's Covert 2016 Crimea Raid: The Secret Plan to Strike a Russian Airbase.

Film Reveals Budanov's Planning for a Covert Crimea Operation

According to Novyny.live: A documentary film has been released detailing the planning by Kyrylo Budanov for a special operation in Crimea in 2016. The mission's objective was to destroy Russian attack helicopters and air defense systems. This operation, which dealt a significant reputational blow to the Kremlin, was notable for its high degree of complexity and risk. Such covert actions have been a critical, though less publicized, aspect of the conflict since Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

Operation Details

The operation, targeting critical Russian military assets in the Dzhankoi area, was meticulously planned and led by Kyrylo Budanov. In one comment, he framed the mission with a direct challenge:

“Don't you want to take a trip to Crimea?” - Kyrylo Budanov

Preparation was conducted with extreme thoroughness, as confirmed by a participant's statement: 'Everything was arranged so that when we finally launched the operation, we were confident: if the team entered the airfield, everything would succeed.' This confidence was a key factor in the mission's success.

Budanov also maintains specific traditions before complex missions. His comrades report that he typically plays the song 'The Sword of Ares' and each participant drinks rum. At the final stage of preparation, a fighter noted:

“Kyrylo Oleksiyovych set up the targets and sat down himself to the side, in the corner, on a chair” - Special Operation Participant

Thus, the film on the 2+2 TV channel sheds light not only on the operational planning but also on Kyrylo Budanov's personality, his leadership qualities, and the unique dynamics of the team executing this high-stakes task.

This documentary serves as an important record of Ukraine's military actions and underscores the strategic value of special operations within the broader conflict with Russia. Crucially, these missions aim not only to achieve military objectives but also to bolster the morale of Ukrainian troops and society. Highlighting figures like Kyrylo Budanov helps shape a positive image of Ukrainian forces for both domestic and international audiences.