Russian "Rat" Caught: Ukrainian Hunter Awarded for High-Stakes Capture

A Ukrainian special forces soldier has received a top award for capturing a key Russian operative. The target was a skilled Russian military "spotter" hiding near the front-line city of Kupiansk. Spotters locate Ukrainian positions and direct artillery fire. This one was especially dangerous, moving between shelters to avoid detection. Ukrainian forces nicknamed him the "rat." Despite the operative's constant movement and efforts to hide, a Ukrainian special operations team tracked him down. The successful capture removed a critical threat to Ukrainian troops in the area. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the soldier with the "Order for Courage," a high military honor. The award recognizes the operator's skill in the dangerous mission to find and capture the Russian spotter.