Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: We witnessed new, stricter stances from European countries since signing new agreement with IAEA
Saree: Our UAV force targeted the so-called Ramon Airport in the Umm al-Rashrash area in southern occupied Palestine
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our rocket force carried out an operation with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile targeting a sensitive target in the occupied Yafa area
Trump administration clears first Ukraine arms aid package paid for by allies: Reuters, citing sources
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman receives Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani at his office in Al-Yamamah Palace
Wakim: Surrender is not in our dictionary, and it is not true that "Israel" can implement its project in Lebanon and the region

British marines involved in 'high-risk' covert operations in Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 13 Dec 2022 22:49
  • 8 Shares
3 Min Read

For the first time, a senior general acknowledged that the Royal Marines had participated in clandestine operations in Ukraine.

  • x
  • Royal British Marines.
    Royal British Marines badge

Royal Marines were stationed in Ukraine and took part in a number of "high-risk" operations, a former commandant general admitted.

The commandos engaged in "discreet operations" and carried out their duties in "a tremendously delicate environment," said Lieutenant General Robert Magowan, a former commander of the Royal Marines and the Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff of the United Kingdom.

The British Embassy in Kiev is secured, and the British government continues to maintain a diplomatic presence there, according to a report from the Ministry of Defense earlier this year. But Lt. Gen. Magowan's admission is the first time a senior military official confirms that British marines were deployed to Ukraine.

Lt. Magowan made the following remarks, which were published in the Globe and Laurel, the official publication of the Royal Marines: "In January of this year, 45 Commando Group deployed quickly — from the depths of a dark, north Norwegian winter, to evacuate the British embassy in Kiev to Poland. If you will, it is the international 999 emergency force."

Read next: UK to supply Ukraine with air defense missiles

"Then in April, they returned into the country to re-establish the diplomatic mission, providing protection to critical personnel. During both phases, the commandos supported other discreet operations in a hugely sensitive environment and with a high level of political and military risk."

A Royal Navy spokesperson told MailOnline, "Royal Marines were deployed to Ukraine to support the UK's diplomatic presence in the country; they served no combat function."

Before the war in Ukraine, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said a small contingent of military personnel had been to Ukraine to deliver weapons and training as the threat of war increased. Later, the British military personnel, including SAS operators, were sent to deliver weapons systems training to Ukrainian servicemen once the war began. 

However, the MoD insisted no British servicemen were involved in combat operations, stating, "British military personnel have been deployed to support discussions around the significant training being offered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine by the UK. 'They serve no combat function."

Read next: Russia gives proof UK involved in attack on Russian ships: Envoy

The 45 Commando force, experts in Arctic warfare, was sent to Norway for a training exercise before being recalled and sent to Ukraine to carry out quick evacuations of embassy personnel.

Just before the war in Ukraine, important government figures and diplomats were evacuated from Kiev. The marines returned to Norway, where they took part in the largest NATO military exercise since the 1980s. 

The Cold Response 2022 drills featured about 30,000 soldiers from 28 different European and North American nations.

The exercises were designed to demonstrate how a cohesive multinational force would protect Norway and Europe's northern flank against a contemporary foe. However, Magowan's admission implies that a number of marines went back to Kiev just one month after the training exercises to carry out covert activities amid the Ukrainian conflict.

  • Royal Marines
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Britain Trained Israeli Soldiers Involved in Gaza War: Declassified
Europe

UK training of Israeli officers sparks outcry over Gaza war complicity

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Politics

Luxembourg to recognize Palestine at UN summit next week

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

EU exec. branch to adopt new sanctions against 'Israel' on Wednesday

Charlie Kirk killing suspect faces charges in Utah court hearing
US & Canada

Charlie Kirk murder suspect faces formal charges in Utah court hearing

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS