Ukrainian Special Forces Have Now Started To Use Swedish CB90 Boats

Since the outbreak of the war, Ukrainian special forces have been disrupting Russian military operations deep behind enemy lines. Operations such as the liberation of Snake Island and the seizing of several oil rigs in the Black Sea have enabled Ukraine to export grain from Odesa, seize the initiative in the Black Sea, and have prevented a Russian naval blockade. 

Yet, these operations have come at a cost to the Ukrainians, partly due to the use of inflatable boats. While they might offer the Ukrainians speed, they offer nothing in protection, causing the Ukrainians to take heavy casualties. Most notably, in one mission off of the Tendra Spit, southwest of the city of Kherson, the Ukrainians were ambushed by prepared Russian defenders. Left nearly defenceless in their rubber boats, it is reported that somewhere between six and twenty soldiers were killed before being able to carry out their mission. 

With the provision of the Swedish-built CB90s, the Ukrainians might be able to prevent another high casualty event. Originally commissioned by Sweden in 1991, the aluminium boat affords its user speed, protection from small arms fire, and space for around twenty soldiers.