Thursday06 February 2025
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Sviatoslav's sword and the seahorse: this emblem identifies an elite unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (photos, videos).

The fighters at the center undergo extremely rigorous training.
Меч Святослава и морской конек: этот шеврон указывает на элитное подразделение ВСУ (смотрите фото и видео).

Not only ordinary horses, but also sea creatures have "settled" on the chevrons of Ukrainian military personnel. And this little horse is no ordinary one. It "lives" in the insignia of the 73rd Marine Center for Special Operations named after the Cossack Hetman Antin Holovaty.

"Telegraph" continues to introduce you to the chevrons of Ukrainian units. You don't often hear about this in the news, as most operations are conducted covertly. The official shoulder emblem of the center features an image of a sea horse against a "sea wave" colored background with the sword of Sviatoslav the Brave. The sea horse symbolizes stealth and adaptability to the marine environment, while the sword represents courage and dedication to military service.

Шеврон 73 морского центра СпП им кошевого атамана Антина Головатого

History of the Unit

The 73rd Marine Center for Special Operations named after Cossack Hetman Antin Holovaty is located in Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, and operates under the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fighters in the center are exclusively officers and contract soldiers. Their tasks include conducting reconnaissance operations, sabotage, capturing vessels and coastal facilities, and performing underwater mining and demining.

Бойцы 73 морского центра СпП им кошевого атамана Антина Головатого

The history of this center dates back to the Soviet era when the 17th Special Purpose Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet was active. Its fighters were the first to parachute in diving gear and to land without parachutes from very low altitudes. After the collapse of the USSR, on April 10, 1992, the brigade pledged allegiance to Ukraine even before the official division of the fleet. The unit is named after Cossack Hetman Antin Holovaty, who commanded the Black Sea Cossack flotilla.

Involvement of the Special Operations Center in the Full-Scale Invasion

The fighters of the center participated in operations in Mariupol along the Dnipro River. However, they also distinguished themselves on land. They operated in Bakhmut and Kharkiv regions.

Боец 73 морского центра СпП им кошевого атамана Антина Головатого

One of the significant combat operations was the storming of Snake Island on July 7, 2022. The fighters cleared the coastal area, ensuring a passage for the main group, surveyed the terrain, and gathered intelligence on Russian equipment. They raised Ukrainian flags on the island. For this and other operations, on August 24, 2022, the unit received the distinction "For Courage and Bravery" from the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, "Telegraph" reported that it was a sniper from the 73rd Marine Center for Special Operations named after Cossack Hetman Anton Holovaty who set a world record for shooting distance. He eliminated two enemy combatants from a distance of 2710 meters.