Operation 'Viper Hunt': Ukraine's SSO Liberates Andreevka-Klevtsovo and Captures 30 Russian Soldiers

On August 17, 2026, a turning point occurred in the local tactical situation on the Alexandrovsk direction. Operators of the 3rd Special Operations Regiment (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, acting in close coordination with the Center for Psychological Operations, conducted a successful airborne-assault operation to liberate the settlement of Andreevka-Klevtsovo. During the operation, Ukrainian special forces not only restored full control over the territory but also captured 30 Russian Armed Forces servicemen who were attempting to establish a foothold in the village.

'Quiet Infiltration' Tactics and SSO Countermeasures

According to intelligence and Special Operations Forces data, Russian troops chose a non-standard tactic to seize Andreevka-Klevtsovo. Instead of a frontal assault, the occupiers attempted to advance in small groups, gradually infiltrating the settlement and establishing hidden positions. This strategy was intended to minimize losses and create a bridgehead for further offensive operations. However, Ukrainian special forces, possessing high mobility and a developed intelligence network, detected the threat in time and prepared a counter-strike.

Ground Phase of the Operation

Published video footage, provided by the press service of the 3rd SSO Regiment named after Sviatoslav the Brave, captures the ground phase of the operation. Regular soldiers in full gear advance through the streets of the settlement, methodically driving the enemy from occupied positions. The operation took place in conditions of dense urban development, requiring exceptional coordination and close-quarters combat skills from the soldiers. Those Russian servicemen who continued to resist were neutralized. The rest, realizing the hopelessness of their situation, surrendered.

The Tradition of 'Viper Hunt' on the Frontline

After the end of hostilities and the clearance of the territory from the enemy, a symbolic moment occurred in the liberated Andreevka-Klevtsovo, which received wide resonance. Special forces conducted a local ritual called 'Viper Hunt'. This is a traditional male ritual included in the National List of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine. Historically, its purpose is to cleanse the dwelling of evil spirits, misfortunes, and plagues, which are called 'vipers' in the folk tradition. In the conditions of the 2026 war, the ritual acquired a new, purely military meaning: the soldiers symbolically 'cleansed' the village of real 'vipers' — Russian occupiers, restoring people's sense of security and national dignity.

Strategic Situation on the Alexandrovsk Direction

The liberation of Andreevka-Klevtsovo became part of the large-scale offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which unfolded in 2026. Since the beginning of the current year, Ukrainian military forces have liberated 26 settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. In total, about 745 square kilometers of territory have been returned to Ukraine's control. The updated map of hostilities from the DeepState resource has already reflected these changes, showing a significant retreat of the front line on the Alexandrovsk direction.

Contradictory Data

Although the fact of the liberation of the settlement is confirmed by video footage and official statements from the SSO, there are minor discrepancies in the figures regarding the captured prize. Initial reports by some media outlets featured the phrase 'dozens of occupiers taken prisoner'. However, the official statement of the 3rd SSO Regiment clarifies the figure: exactly 30 Russian servicemen were taken prisoner. At XAB.info, we rely on official data from the military department as the most reliable, but we acknowledge that in combat conditions, the exact accounting of prisoners may vary in the first hours after the operation.