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
Israeli media: The Israeli army took control of the Madleen ship and arrested the activists.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition: IOF have boarded the Madleen ship and communication with the ship was lost.
Israeli media: The Israeli occupation forces have begun storming the Madleen.
Reuters: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition sounds the alarm on the Madleen ship heading to Gaza in anticipation of being intercepted by the Israeli occupation.
Israeli media: Finance Minister Smotrich announces the opening and commencement of construction of a new settlement in Jabal Abu Rubin, near Beitunia in the West Bank.
Local Syrian sources to Al Mayadeen: Clashes between local fighters and Israeli occupation soldiers around the Maariyah barracks in the far western Daraa countryside.
Khatib: We will reveal the documents soon.
Khatib: The operation was carried out some time ago, but we preferred to delay announcing the news to ensure the operation’s safety.
Khatib: We are refraining from revealing the methods used to transfer the documents at this time.
Khatib: The methods used to transfer the documents into Iran are just as important as the documents themselves.

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

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Gaza aid vessel vows to continue until final moment: Activists

A view of the Knesset through the entrance window. (Agencies)
Politics

Haredi parties push for Knesset dissolution, call PM 'a burden'

Palestinians carry the body of Ahmed Abu Hilal, who was killed while on his way to an aid hub in Gaza, during his funeral in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US 'aid centers' in Gaza are deadly traps: Palestinian Resistance

An aerial view shows sections of the columns in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, Saturday, January 25, 2025 (AP)
Arts and Culture

Syria’s ancient sites looted as artifacts flood online markets

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