More than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in the UK to take part in operations to recapture the annexed Crimea from Russia. This was reported by the British edition of the Daily Express on Sunday, citing sources. This was not officially reported, although it is known that the Ukrainian military is being trained, including in Britain.
It is alleged that the test site is equipped in Dartmoor in Devon in the south-west of England. It is closed to the public and to the press. British specialists are helping to train the “elite special forces” of the Ukrainian forces, which are supposed to be “at the forefront” of the future operation in the Crimea, while other forces will help with support operations.
According to the Daily Express, the operation will include air and sea strikes, as well as on land. An important role in it should be played by long-range missiles supplied, including by the UK. “Ukrainian special forces will use equipment to undermine and paralyze Russian troops,” the newspaper writes. It is alleged that the operation will begin “before Christmas”, that is, before the end of 2023.
“The operation to retake Crimea will be an operation to launch multiple attacks on Russian troops … We can teach them our tactics and show them how to use equipment, but success will depend on the ability of Ukrainians to quickly adapt and overcome difficulties,” the source quoted the publication as saying. whom it calls a high-ranking representative of the British command.
Official London and Kyiv did not comment on the publication.
Representatives of the Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stated that the goal of the campaign is the liberation of all territories within the internationally recognized borders of the country, that is, Crimea annexed in 2014. At the same time, there were suggestions that the purpose of the current offensive of the Ukrainian forces was to break through to the Sea of Azov and eliminate the so-called land corridor from Russia to Crimea, and Ukrainian troops would not enter the peninsula directly in the near future. However, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kirill Budanov, recently said that the Ukrainian military would “soon” be in Crimea.
For almost two months of active hostilities in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, the Ukrainian military failed to break through the main line of defense of the Russian forces and create a threat of a breakthrough to the Crimea. The offensive, however, continues. Attacks are also being made on Russian military facilities in Crimea.
Russian officials say that Crimea is well protected and that Ukraine will not succeed. At the same time, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday again threatened with a nuclear strike if Ukraine manages to recapture some territories that Russia considers its own.
Source : Радио Свобода
