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Since 2014, Russian subversion has targeted the intricate ethnic and linguistic divisions in eastern Ukraine, fueling separatism and contributing to a prolonged conflict in the Donbas. In this politically fragile and complex environment, special forces have proven crucial in conducting precision raids against key targets. One such example is the first battle of Donetsk Airport in May 2014, during which Ukrainian special forces cleared the airport of separatist fighters. Although the battle is often recognized in previous research as operationally significant, it has rarely been studied as an independent case, leaving tactical-level operations largely underexplored. This creates a research gap, particularly given the limited attention paid to the role of special forces in hybrid environments. This study therefore aims to enhance understanding of the Ukrainian tactical success by applying McRaven’s Special Operations Theory as an analytical framework.

The findings show that Ukrainian tactical success derived from a combination of simplicity, security, surprise, speed and purpose, while repetition played a more limited role. Together, these factors reduced friction, enabled Ukrainian special forces to maintain the initiative and disrupted the separatists’ ability to coordinate an effective defence. In conclusion, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the first battle of Donetsk Airport and the broader role of special forces in hybrid environments.