Via the short message platform X, formerly Twitter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks the Ukrainian “Kraken” fighters. But who is behind the special unit?
The Ukrainian president writes: “”Kraken”. A special unit of the Ukrainian defense intelligence. Exceptionally strong warriors. Especially demanding tasks. Outstanding results. They have fought near Kharkiv, Soledar, Bakhmut, Kupyansk, and in the north. I thank them all for their service.”
The Kraken unit was founded on February 24, 2022, at the beginning of the Russian invasion into Ukraine and consists of former fighters of the Azov unit, as a military spokesman explained according to the German news website Blick. In a way, the Kraken can therefore be seen as the younger brother of the well-known Azov unit.
Their commander, Konstantin V. Nemitschew, began his political career in the right-leaning National Corps party even before graduating from college. In 2021, he unsuccessfully ran for the office of mayor of Kharkiv and could count on the support of young, “rowdy football fans”, many of whom now serve in his unit.
Image: Kraken, Soldiers of the Kraken unit during the defense of Pytomnyk village.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image size changed)
