As the publication notes, the document states “with high confidence” that veterans of Western countries’ militaries were hired to train Russian citizens, especially active military personnel. It refers to training that allegedly took place in private military training centers in Bulgaria and Serbia.
Read more Brief: Putin wants an agreement on the war in Ukraine
According to “The Telegraph,” intelligence information was obtained from two former Australian special forces soldiers and one reservist, who claimed to have been hired as instructors at such camps. One of the main subjects of the investigation is the “Alfa-Metal” training center in Maiden, Bulgaria. The company offers special forces training and advanced sniper courses, costing about 4,000 euros.
The memorandum states that “Alfa-Metal” employs instructors with various military experiences, including representatives from the UK’s SAS, Australia’s commando regiment, the US Navy, and American police agencies. Meanwhile, according to the publication, after the large-scale Russian invasion began in 2022, European private military training centers continued to accept Russian citizens for training, especially close combat courses.
Former Australian soldiers interviewed for intelligence gathering said that the center’s staff told them that Russian training would continue at least until 2025. At the same time, a photo with the SAS logo was published on Alfa-Metal’s website, and the company had previously posted a job offer for a British instructor with special forces experience.
The authors of the publication link the possibility of such training to Russia’s problems replenishing its forces. According to Western officials’ estimates, Russian forces suffered about 1.4 million losses, including up to 500,000 soldiers killed. Intelligence sources also said that Moscow loses about 6,000 soldiers more each month than it can recruit. According to the memorandum’s authors, the personnel shortage may have increased the need for additional military training outside Russia.
Read more The outcome in Ukraine may also determine the fate of Aliaksandr Lukashenka
“The Telegraph” also draws attention to a possible connection between “Alfa-Metal” and the Russian private security company “Alfa Region,” based in Saint Petersburg. On its website, this training center is advertised as a place for training private military contractors and instructors.
“Alfa-Metal” itself categorically denies these accusations. A company representative stated that after the invasion began, the center did not train Russian citizens and never hired former SAS soldiers. The company also denied any ties with “Alfa Region.”
“The Telegraph” notes that journalists were unable to independently verify the claims made in the intelligence memorandum. Several sources connected to the SAS also questioned whether veterans of this unit participated. According to them, former regular army soldiers might have pretended to be elite SAS special forces veterans, but such claims are difficult to verify.
Meanwhile, according to the publication, the information presented in the memorandum is currently being investigated by Australian intelligence services. It is expected that the findings of the investigation will be shared with the United Kingdom and the US under the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing agreement. The UK Ministry of Defence declined to officially comment on this report.
Read more After a storm of reactions, Grigonis spoke out publicly: «I have something to say to the PAO family»
