The head of the US special operations force, General Bryan Fenton, has revealed details of British special forces operations in Ukraine, saying the Pentagon is learning about the ongoing war “primarily through the eyes of our UK military operations partners”. , which he said tests new approaches to modern warfare in the theater of operations.
Giving an example, the American general noted that British special operations units monitor and provide expertise on the use of drones and the movements of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. The American commander’s statements are the latest but most revealing of the extensive role played by British ground forces in the war zone.
Hundreds of British marines are operating in Ukraine
British Lieutenant General Robert Magowan, head of the Marine Corps, revealed that hundreds of marines are carrying out high-risk operations alongside Ukrainian government forces from April 2022. Magowan stressed that these operations are taking place “in an extremely sensitive environment and at a high level political and military danger.
His statement followed months of reports from a wide range of Russian sources that British marines are operational and playing an important role in military operations, which had previously been denied by Western media.
Gray zone and Bucha
In December 2023 Polish journalist Zbigniew Parafianowicz revealed that he had been given details of British forces’ operations by Polish officials. “It was a time when the Russians were still in Bucha and everything was in a gray zone. It was possible to fall to the Russians. The Ukrainians told us that we continue at our own risk. So who did we meet next? Ukrainian soldiers and British special forces in uniforms and weapons.”
Confirming General Fenton’s statement, the Polish journalist stated that British forces were moving into the countryside with artillery tracking radars to study the course of the conflict and the operations of Russian forces.
And Polish soldiers in Ukraine
Parafianowicz further stated that Polish special forces have also been in the theater since the early stages of the war. “We worked out a formula for our presence in Ukraine… just then they sent us on paid leave. The politicians pretended not to see this,” said a Polish officer, as Parafianowicz revealed.
This was followed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February 2024 who said British special forces in Ukraine were providing critical support to Storm Shadow cruise missile attacks against Russian targets. Something similar could not happen with German Taurus missiles, since Berlin had not sent military personnel. This revelation comes as France has led the war on expanding the role of NATO members in the theater of operations. It is recalled that personnel of the French Foreign Legion have been deployed in Ukraine.
The Foreign Legion in Slavyansk
French units have been deployed to support the Ukrainian 54th Independent Engineer Brigade in Slavyansk. The French soldiers are from the 3rd French Infantry Regiment, one of the main units of the French Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère).
In 2022 France had a number of Ukrainians and Russians in the Foreign Legion. They were allowed to leave the Legion and, in the case of Ukrainians, return to Ukraine to join Ukrainian forces. It is unclear whether the Russians returned home. The Legion is now commanded by French officers, but the rank and file are all foreigners.
Under the current regime of anonymity a volunteer joining the Legion can decide whether to keep their name or adopt a new one. Legionnaires serve for three years, after which they can apply for French citizenship. If a legionnaire is injured, he is entitled to French citizenship without any waiting period. There are no women in the Foreign Legion.
The action of the French in Donbass
Reports from the front lines of Ukraine confirmed the deployment of the French army in Donbass. The first unit of the French Foreign Legion has reportedly arrived in the region of the city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
According to authoritative sources, a unit from the 3rd infantry regiment of the French Foreign Legion, which included about 100 soldiers, was moved in the direction of Slavyansk before being sent to the front line. The unit includes a team of engineers and aviation, logistics and intelligence specialists from the Legion’s 3rd Infantry Regiment.
Apparently, this is only the first group of French military personnel to be deployed in Ukraine and other forces are expected. The first French troops entered Slavyansk on April 11.
They participate in the construction of fortifications
The French unit reportedly includes artillery reconnaissance specialists, as well as a team of engineers specializing in the construction of field fortifications. Most likely, these French will participate in the construction of the defensive lines around Slavyansk. At the same time, reconnaissance units are likely to support the Ukrainian army on the front line.
Paris continues to deny reports of sending its forces to Ukraine. In March 2024, it was revealed that the French military was preparing the special battalion tactical group for deployment in Ukraine. This group should include approximately 1,500 military personnel not only from the members of the Foreign Legion (who will initially transfer) but also military personnel from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Through the Balkans, the French in Ukraine
The French battalion was expected to complete training in mid-April 2024 before being deployed to Ukraine. The Foreign Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia officially confirmed the information. Additionally, on March 18, the first two aircraft carrying French troops were spotted landing at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, from where the French military were supposed to have been flown through Romania to Odessa.
The Russians say they are fully prepared
Russia expected the arrival of French soldiers and is prepared for it. Sergey Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service had revealed that France was preparing a detachment of 2,000 soldiers, which is to be sent to Ukraine.
“The current leadership of France is not interested in the deaths of ordinary French people or the concerns of generals. According to information, a detachment is already being prepared to be sent to Ukraine. Initially, it will include about 2,000 soldiers,” Naryshkin claimed.
According to the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, the French military fears that such a large military unit cannot be transported and deployed to Ukraine undetected. It will thus become a legitimate priority target for attacks by the Russian armed forces. This means that he will suffer the fate of all the French who came to Ukraine death.
After a conference on Ukraine in February 2024 in Paris, French President Macron did not categorically rule out the possibility of sending Western ground troops to the zone of special military operation in Ukraine. He also vowed that Western nations would “do whatever it takes” to prevent Russia from winning this conflict.
