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The operation’s planning began amid a flurry of military activity that marked Ukraine's large-scale offensive throughout summer 2023. A range of units participated in what was expected to be a significant maneuver, including the 35th and 36th Marine Brigades and several specialized battalions, some of which had undergone extensive British amphibious training.
Reports indicate that a British advisory pushed for an amphibious operation well before its execution, emphasizing the importance of presenting a credible threat to distract Russian troops. As one Marine explained, anticipation grew following training: "We understood that after the training conducted by the Brits... we had various guesses," hinting at the operation's importance.