CIA-Trained Ukrainian Forces Prepared to Counter Russian Invasion, Former Officials Disclose
A group of Ukrainian paramilitary units, who have undergone training by the CIA, is reportedly ready to play a crucial role in the event of a Russian invasion. Former intelligence and national security officials have shed light on the covert training program that has been taking place on American soil since 2015. According to sources, the undisclosed facility in the southern United States has been the training ground for these elite Ukrainian special operations forces.
The focus of the CIA-trained forces is Ukraine’s eastern border, where Russian troops have gathered, raising concerns about a potential invasion. Recent talks between the US and Russia in Geneva have not resulted in any significant agreements. The covert program was initially conceived during the Obama administration but has expanded during both the Trump and Biden administrations.
The CIA’s Ground Branch, which is now known as the Ground Department, is orchestrating this secret program. Paramilitaries trained through this program have been deployed to the frontline in eastern Ukraine to provide guidance to local forces. The multi-week training curriculum includes various subjects, such as firearms, camouflage techniques, land navigation, tactics like cover and move, and intelligence strategies.
There are differing perspectives on the nature of this program. US officials vehemently deny any offensive orientation and assert that the purpose of the training is primarily intelligence collection. However, some former officials suggest that the training could potentially enable Ukrainian forces to resist Russian troops effectively and even take on an offensive stance if necessary.
While there are denials regarding any support for insurgency, the former CIA official claims that the program equips Ukrainians with the skills necessary to kill Russians. The CIA spokesperson, Tammy Thorp, categorically denies claims of training an armed insurgency in Ukraine.
The CIA has been providing limited training to Ukrainian intelligence units for many years in an effort to strengthen Ukraine’s independence and counter Russian subversion. The recent increase in cooperation began following Russia’s incursion into Crimea. Despite the relatively small presence of CIA paramilitaries in Ukraine, they contribute significantly by imparting crucial skills to Ukrainian forces and focusing on potential flashpoints if the situation escalates.
Distinguishing between training forces for insurgency and actively supporting an insurgency requires careful consideration. The Biden administration has reportedly established a task force to assess how the CIA and other US agencies can support a potential Ukrainian insurgency in the event of a Russian incursion.
If a large-scale invasion occurs, graduates of the CIA program are expected to form the core of a militia or insurgent leadership with their extensive training spanning eight years. The former senior intelligence official predicts a significant impact from the program on the unfolding events.
The effectiveness of CIA training programs has been acknowledged by former officials who credit them for battlefield successes. Both US and Ukrainian officials anticipate Ukrainian forces facing challenges against a massive Russian incursion but count on stiff resistance from Ukrainian insurgents, leading to the eventual withdrawal of Russian forces from newly acquired territories.
Despite the challenges posed by Russian subversion and the presence of spies within Ukraine’s intelligence services, the CIA remains committed to this program, considering it a valuable asset in the broader intelligence landscape.
In the face of a potential Russian invasion, the CIA-trained paramilitary units are prepared to create significant difficulties for the aggressors, organizing a formidable resistance. Drawing on past experiences in Afghanistan, the former senior intelligence official highlights the trials Russia may encounter in dealing with these highly trained operatives.
