On August 24, 2023, on Ukraine's Independence Day, a group of special forces landed on the Tarkhankut Peninsula, which is in the west part of Crimea, and raised Ukrainian flag (the first time in almost 10 years of russian occupation).

The special operation of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in cooperation with Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was called "Awakening of the Force".

Lieutenant Colonel Timur, the officer of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, who commanded the operation, spoke about it to Le Monde.

Timur and lieutenant with pseudo Ivanov and two unnamed officers of the Ukrainian military intelligence, who were awarded by the President of Ukraine for their participation in the mission, told about some details regarding the Crimean landing to French journalists.

According to Timur, during a combat mission on the temporarily occupied peninsula, the special forces using grenade launcher destroyed a building and several vehicles, used by the russian invaders.

And the national flag of Ukraine, raised in Crimea, had a special significance for the scouts.

"The emblem of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was printed on the flag. Kyrylo Budanov entrusted it to us when he gave the order to welcome our fellow citizens to Crimea on August 24," Timur said.

He also explained the significance of the "Awakening of the Force" special operation.

"We left the flag in such way the Crimeans would see that we had come, and so that the russians would understand that we can appear anywhere and at any time," Timur said.

The agents of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine did not disclose the number of forces and means involved in the operation and the time period of it’s implementation, but they said that not all those who wanted to visit Crimea were given such an opportunity.

"Many boys wanted to join us, but there wasn't enough space for everyone. Some were even disappointed through the Timur’s ban to go to Crimea," said one of the officers of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

"Many steps seemed impossible to carry out. But everything went successfully," added Ivanov.