For the first time, the Security Service of Ukraine tells how the snipers of its Special Operations Centre ‘A’ fought for the Road of Life near Bakhmut in the spring of 2023.

The SSU’s special unit, together with the Defence Forces, held this important logistical artery for months to gain time to regroup our troops and prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukraine.

The details of these events are told in the film Bakhmut. The Road of Life, part of the documentary series SSU. Special Operations of Victory.

‘Our Defence Forces did everything possible and impossible to hold the fortress of Bakhmut. The SSU Special Operations Centre ‘A’ was intensively involved. Working in small tactical groups, the snipers provided cover for our troops,’ the SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk said.

Near Bakhmut, our fighters also carried out counter-sniper and counter-sabotage work, adjusted the AFU’s fire.

According to Vasyl Maliuk, most of the marksmen of the SSU’s Special Force ‘A’ are world champions in sniping. Due to their high qualification, they perform the most difficult tasks during the war.

‘These are the ones who stab a needle right in the heart. This is a unique and filigree job. They take out top villains from really long distances. And they do it constantly, consistently and effectively,’ the SSU Head emphasized.

FPV drones also played an important role in fighting in Donetsk region. The SSU Special Operations Centre ‘A’ was among the first to use them in combat, having previously improved and adapted this equipment for specific purposes.

According to Vasyl Maliuk, the decision to reinforce SSU snipers with FPV combat teams was made during his visit to Bakhmut.

‘The SSU is a leader in the number of enemy armoured military equipment hit by attack drones. One of our groups completely destroyed 79 vehicles during four combat missions. A drone that costs from USD 450 to 2,000 burns a multi-million-dollar tank. The math is clear, and it proves the drones’ effectiveness,’ the SSU Head remarked.

According to Vasyl Maliuk, new technologies have an advantage on the battlefield, which is why the SSU actively uses and develops them.

‘In the SSU, we have raised a whole generation of unique combat drone operators. Some of them are Heroes of Ukraine,’ Vasyl Maliuk highlighted.

The film Bakhmut. The Road of Life was released on the anniversary of the death of legendary SSU snipers Dmytro Kaplunov and Denys Volochaiev, and is also dedicated to Oleksandr Vdovychenko, whose name is forever engraved in the history of the ‘A’ unit. We honour the memory of all fallen SSU servicemen and warriors of the Defence Forces, who gave their lives for the freedom, independence and prosperity of Ukraine.

The first episode of the series SSU. Special Operations of Victory reveals the details of the SSU’s operations to blow up the Crimean Bridge.