Volodymyr Tudan

Known by the call sign “Karatel”, he began his military path in 2016 in the French Foreign Legion, where he served as a paratrooper before returning to Ukraine. Following the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, he joined the Air Assault Forces as an instructor. In 2023, he transferred to the Azov Brigade, serving in the 3rd Company of the 1st Special Purpose Battalion before moving to a Special Reconnaissance Unit. He took part in combat operations in the Serebryansky forest and Klishchiivka direction, where he was wounded but later returned to duty. In 2024, he led reconnaissance elements in the Serebryansky forest and Toretsk directions, operating in contested grey-zone areas. In 2025, he became deputy commander of the 2nd Special Purpose Battalion, later assuming command of the unit.