Russia Launches Investigation into 'UK Special Forces Deployment to Ukraine' Allegations

Published 24 Apr.2022 21:39(KST)

Russian Media Reports '20 SAS Members Deployed to Western Ukraine'

Ukrainian soldier engaging with Russian troops on the Eastern front <span>[Image source=Yonhap News]</span>

Ukrainian soldier engaging with Russian troops on the Eastern front [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The Russian Federal Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into reports by its domestic media that British special forces have been deployed in western Ukraine, major foreign media reported on the 23rd (local time).

The committee stated in a press release that it plans to verify reports that British special forces were deployed to assist Ukrainian special forces in organizing sabotage within Ukrainian territory.

Earlier, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Russian government security sources, that about 20 members of the British Special Air Service (SAS) were dispatched to Lviv in western Ukraine.

In response, a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence said, "We do not comment on special forces matters."

Since Russia's forced annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine in 2014, the UK has sent instructors to Ukraine to provide military training. Until early this year, they conducted training on anti-tank weapons and other areas, but withdrew all troops except essential personnel protecting their embassy one week before the Russian invasion, on February 17.

The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on the investigation into the alleged deployment of SAS by Russia. However, the UK government has stated that, for the first time since the Russian invasion, a small number of Ukrainian troops are receiving military training in the UK.

Foreign media analyzed that, given Russia's repeated demands for Western countries not to intervene in this war, the very fact that Russia is investigating the possibility of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) troops being stationed is highly significant.

Meanwhile, following the Russian invasion, the UK pledged to provide weapons worth 100 million pounds (approximately 160.1 billion won) to Ukraine, and on the 9th, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally visited Kyiv to announce support for over 120 armored vehicles capable of launching anti-tank and anti-ship missiles.