--- title: "Trap for the 'Elite': How GUR Special Forces Foiled a VDV Propaganda Operation in Zaporizhzhia" description: "GUR special forces set a trap for 'elite' VDV paratroopers in Zaporizhzhia. πŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί The enemy went to shoot propaganda but fell under the fire of Ukrainian reconnaissance. Exclusive details of the operation and video of the mission. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ”₯" date: 2026-06-29T07:32:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trap-for-the-elite-how-gur-special-forces-foiled-a-vdv-propaganda-operation-in-zaporizhzhia tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Trap for the 'Elite': How GUR Special Forces Foiled a VDV Propaganda Operation in Zaporizhzhia ![Group of Russian VDV paratroopers with camouflage face paint and assault rifles in front of a Mi-8 helicopter, participating in a propaganda operation in Zaporizhzhia that was thwarted by GUR special forces.](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/29/spetsnaz-gur-razvalil-propagandistskuyu-aktsiyu-vdv-v-zaporozhye/spetsnaz-gur-razvalil-propagandistskuyu-aktsiyu-vdv-v-zaporozhye-1.webp) In the Stepnogorsk area of the Zaporizhzhia region, an event occurred that once again confirmed the effectiveness of reconnaissance and sabotage operations by the Ukrainian side. Special units of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine eliminated a group of Russian paratroopers who had arrived in the rear to carry out not a combat, but a propaganda task. ### Mission for the 'Picture' According to the GUR press service, reconnaissance units of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) were deployed to the operation area. In the Russian hierarchy, these units are traditionally considered the elite, but their task in this case was far from classic combat operations. The group's goal was to capture a populated area solely to shoot video footage for a report to the aggressor's high command. The Russian command planned to use this episode to create propaganda content demonstrating allegedly successful offensive actions. However, the calculations were made without taking into account the actions of the Ukrainian intelligence. ### Night Ambush and 'Open Door' Tactics The enemy group acted under the cover of night, trying to use poor weather conditions to their advantage. Rain and the use of special anti-thermal vision covers were supposed to ensure the stealth of the advance and help them remain undetected by Ukrainian surveillance systems. However, Ukrainian specialists acted on the principle of 'free entry'. Reconnaissance units intentionally allowed the Russian detachment to approach as close as possible without revealing their presence. As soon as the group was within the range of fire, a crushing blow was struck, thwarting the enemy's plans. ### Consequences for the Russian Army Exclusive footage of this mission, released by the agency's press service, vividly demonstrates how futile the enemy's attempts are to use small group tactics to create fake news about 'conquests'. The incident in Stepnogorsk became another episode in a series of events showing that the Russian army is experiencing serious difficulties in ensuring the safety even of its elite units. Previously, RBK-Ukraine reported that constant long-range strikes on the rear are forcing Russian air defense systems to be in a mode of continuous movement, consuming resources at an accelerated pace. At the same time, data on mobilization indicates that it is not keeping up with compensating for personnel losses on the front, making such reconnaissance raids even more risky for the enemy.