Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) revealed that they had thwarted an attempted landing in southern Ukraine’s partially occupied Kherson region by Ukrainian special forces who had received training from British commandos. A video published by the Russian Defense Ministry broadcaster showed the Ukrainian special forces’ landing boat being hit by an explosive dropped from the air, resulting in bloodied bodies inside the boat and a cache of weapons on the ground. The FSB stated that the Ukrainian armed forces landing force was destroyed, and a Ukrainian soldier, Yevhen Horyn, was captured following the failed landing attempt.
The FSB released a video featuring Horyn’s detailed account of being trained in the UK for a special task and the recent preparations for landing at the Kherson region’s Tendra Spit under British special services’ supervision. The prisoner of war provided information about undergoing sabotage training at a British military camp and implicated the British Special Boat Service in planning actions against Russian security. The FSB further accused the British government of training perpetrators in the UK. So far, neither Ukraine nor Britain has responded to these claims from the FSB.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has accused the West of being a direct participant on Kyiv’s side. Ukrainian special forces had previously reported the deaths of commandos in a special combat mission against Russia, with Russia’s Defense Ministry claiming to have killed up to 25 Ukrainian commandos attempting to land on the Tendra Spit sandbar in the Black Sea. Both incidents highlight the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with accusations flying back and forth between the countries regarding the involvement of foreign powers in the conflict.
The FSB’s claims about the involvement of British commandos in training Ukrainian special forces and planning actions against Russian security serve to intensify the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The capture of Yevhen Horyn, a Ukrainian senior soldier involved in the thwarted landing attempt, sheds light on the level of training received by the Ukrainian forces from foreign powers. The lack of response from both Ukraine and Britain indicates the delicate diplomatic situation surrounding these allegations and the potential consequences they may have on international relations.
The FSB’s revelation that Ukrainian special forces were trained by British commandos and had direct involvement in a landing attempt in southern Ukraine adds a new layer to the ongoing conflict in the region. The FSB’s accusations against the British government further complicate the situation and raise questions about the extent of foreign involvement in the conflict. The captured Ukrainian soldier’s detailed account of his training and preparations for the landing attempt provides insight into the level of coordination and planning undertaken by the Ukrainian forces with the assistance of foreign trainers.
As tensions continue to simmer between Russia and Ukraine, the involvement of foreign powers in the conflict threatens to escalate the situation further. The FSB’s claims about the role of British commandos in training Ukrainian special forces highlight the complex web of alliances and rivalries at play in the region. The lack of response from Ukraine and Britain underscores the sensitivity of the issue and the potential for further diplomatic fallout. The capture of Yevhen Horyn and the details he provided about his training and preparations for the landing attempt underscore the high stakes involved in the ongoing conflict and the multiple actors involved in shaping its outcome.
