Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Territorial Defense Eliminate Akhmat Unit Mercenaries in Sumy Region

The Shamanbat special unit of the Defense Intelligence, together with the 104th Horyn Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces carried out an operation to eliminate mercenaries from the Russian National Guard’s “Akhmat.” 

This was reported by the press service of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

The operation was carried out due to an agent infiltrating the Russian unit between February and April 2026 in the Sumy sector in coordination with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine’s human intelligence unit, which provided information on the enemy’s plans.

Information about the enemy’s plans and intentions was relayed to military intelligence officers by an agent — a former “Akhmat” serviceman — with whom the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine established contact in early 2025. Subsequently, the intelligence officers organized the agent’s safe passage to territory controlled by Ukraine.

He installed a listening device, delivered behind enemy lines by an FPV drone, in “Akhmat’s” meeting room — DIU operatives recorded the conversations of the unit’s entire command staff.

It is noted that the information obtained in this way enabled Ukrainian special forces to strike Kadyrov’s forces with precision during their movements and in areas of concentration.

It was reported that as a result of the special operation over the course of two months, “Akhmat” suffered its heaviest losses since the start of the full-scale invasion: 41 killed and 87 wounded. Over a hundred more mercenaries are listed as missing in action.

Additionally, over 160 armored and motor vehicles, more than 25 UAVs of various types, as well as communications equipment, electronic warfare/electromagnetic interference systems, engineering equipment and machinery, weapons and fuel depots, and other means of warfare were destroyed or damaged.

Abdul Hakim, commander of the Ichkerian volunteers of the DIU special unit “Shambat,” urged Chechens not to sign contracts and to avoid mobilization into the Russian army. If conscription cannot be avoided, they should immediately contact Ukrainian intelligence and surrender through the “I Want to Live” project.

In late April, it became known that Russian soldiers from “Akhmat” had robbed residents of the border town of Novaya Tavolzhanka in the Belgorod region, located near the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk.

According to local media reports, on April 9, unknown individuals in vehicles bearing the word “Akhmat” instead of license plates broke into homes and garages, stealing generators and other valuables.

Eyewitnesses claim that they were threatened with weapons during the robbery, and one man who tried to record the events on camera was struck with the butt of an assault rifle. The military police called to the scene were unable to intervene, and the looters ignored their demands.

According to residents of the village, the local administration and official channels are currently not responding in any way to what is happening. People are expressing concern over the presence of armed groups in the village, whom, in their opinion, even the military police fear.