Skala Battalion

The Skala Battalion (Ukrainian: Батальйон розвідки Скала) is a Ukrainian military intelligence volunteer unit formed by Yuriy Harkaviy, whose nickname Skala ("cliff") gave the unit its name. It has taken part in operations in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine such as assaults on enemy positions and using aerial drones to hunt Russian soldiers, having success in the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive working with the 93rd Mechanized Brigade.[1][2][3]

Skala Battalion
Ukrainian: Батальйон розвідки Скала
Logo used by the Skala Battalion
Active2022–present
CountryUkraine Ukraine
BranchUkrainian Army
TypeIntelligence
SizeOver 100 by December 2022
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Maj. Yuriy Harkaviy ″Skala″

Harkaviy, having initially joined a unit when the invasion started dominated by men with limited military experience, but who attempted to make up for it with bravery, formed the unit by recruiting men of similar spirit and supplying them with steady supplies, starting off by ambushing Russian tank columns. Members of the Skala Battalion wear badges emblazoned with two antitank weapons and a drone. Using their drones the unit looks for targets to report to friendly headquarters, who then relay the information to artillery gunners who themselves can use the drones to correct their fire on enemy positions.

History

The Skala Battalion has taken part in the defense of Bakhmut, being in the immediate vicinity when a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 was shot down.[1][2][3]

During the 2023 Ukrainian Counteroffensive the battalion has been deployed in the Southern campaign in the Zaporizhzhia direction, participating in the Ukrainian advance into Robotyne.[4][5]

See also

References
  1. Satolli, Emanuele (29 December 2022). "The Bravery and the Recklessness of Ukraine's Improvised Army". WSJ. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. Axe, David (6 December 2022). "Ukrainian Scouts Were In Their Foxholes Near Bakhmut When A Russian Bomber Came Crashing Down". Forbes. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. Moore, Jason (2 January 2023). "In Bakhmout, the traces of the terrible Russian relentlessness". UK Daily News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. Smilianets, Vladyslav (26 August 2023). "Ukraine will speed up advance on southern front, commander says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. "За день Зеленський відвідав військових 11 бригад у Донецькій і Запорізькій областях: хто став Героєм України" (in Ukrainian). novynarnia.com. 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
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