Russia investigates reports of British SAS forces in Ukraine
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On Saturday, Russia's top investigative authority said it was investigating reports that sabotage experts from the British SAS special forces had been dispatched to western Ukraine.
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A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson gave no comment (AP)
On Saturday, Russia's top investigative authority said it was investigating a Russian media allegation suggesting that sabotage experts from the British SAS special forces had been dispatched to western Ukraine.
The Special Air Service is a highly trained military organization that specializes in special operations, surveillance, and counter-terrorism. On Saturday, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency cited a Russian security source as stating that roughly 20 SAS troops had been dispatched to the Lvov region.
The Investigative Committee released a statement saying it would follow up on the report that they had been deployed "to assist the Ukrainian special services in organizing sabotage on the territory of Ukraine."
A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated that "We do not comment on Special Forces."
Read more: UK sending Ukraine more Starstreak systems: Johnson
Britain announced earlier this year that it deployed military trainers to Ukraine to educate local forces in the use of anti-tank weaponry, but the British government said on Feb. 17 - a week before the war - that it had withdrawn all personnel save those needed to protect its ambassador.
Read more: Document reveals UK training of Ukrainian soldiers 4 years ago
It was unclear what the Investigative Committee intended to do in reaction to any SAS engagement in Ukraine. However, the probe into the suspected presence of NATO personnel is crucial, considering that Russia has warned the West not to interfere with its operation.
