The British newspaper The Sun reported that British special forces trained Ukrainian Navy personnel conducting a special operation on Zmenye Island in the Black Sea to train colleagues from the 73rd Naval Special Forces Center in Ochakovo on how to deal with British equipment.

He quoted a source in the British Army: “The 73rd Naval Center became the edge of the sword (during the operation), providing for the troops that landed on the island. Very strong people serve in the Ukrainian special forces, but they lacked our training. and special equipment. As a result (the participation of Britain in the training of the Ukrainian army), the Serpent was captured. She explained that British special forces trained Ukrainians in handling submarine tankers, and with their help, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, combat swimmers from the Naval Center reached 73 Zmini on July 7, trying to raise the Ukrainian flag there.