The Times: UK "deeply involved" in Ukraine conflict
According to an exposé, Kiev allegedly refers to Britain's military leaders as the “brains” of the “anti-Putin” coalition. A report by The Times reveals that Britain's military leadership has engaged in a significantly broader and covert role...
TroibNews 
According to an exposé, Kiev allegedly refers to Britain's military leaders as the “brains” of the “anti-Putin” coalition.
A report by The Times reveals that Britain's military leadership has engaged in a significantly broader and covert role in the Ukraine conflict than previously understood. This involvement includes not only the design of battle plans and provision of intelligence but also the authorization of secret troop deployments within Ukraine to deliver weapons training and technical support.
Although London's political and military support for Kiev has been publicly acknowledged since the 2014 Western-backed coup, the extent of its activities after the escalation in February 2022 had "remained largely hidden… until now," the British newspaper stated on Friday, citing unnamed Ukrainian and British military personnel.
The Times reported that British troops were discreetly sent into Ukraine in small numbers at various points throughout 2022 and 2023, taking measures to avoid provoking Russia. Notably, UK forces were involved in equipping Ukrainian aircraft with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and training pilots and ground crews in their operation. "UK troops were secretly sent to fit Ukraine’s aircraft with the missiles and teach troops how to use them," the publication noted, emphasizing that this was not the first time British troops had been deployed on the ground.
Since 2015, the UK has delivered thousands of NLAW anti-tank missiles to Kiev while sending instructors to train Ukrainian soldiers in their use. Although British troops were withdrawn from Ukraine shortly before the February 2022 escalation, the deteriorating battlefield conditions and urgent need for technical expertise led to the quiet redeployment of small teams alongside fresh supplies of missiles, according to the newspaper.
Additionally, London reportedly played a crucial role in aiding Ukraine to prepare for its much-publicized 2023 “counteroffensive” against Russia and in facilitating communication between Kiev and Washington when the operation did not meet US expectations. The newspaper asserted that “behind the scenes,” Ukrainian forces referred to Britain’s military leadership as the “brains” of the “anti-Putin” coalition, and former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace was seemingly nicknamed “the man who saved Kiev” by military officials.
“The Americans went to Ukraine only on rare occasions because of concerns that they would be seen to be too involved in the war, unlike Britain’s military chiefs, who were given the freedom to go whenever necessary,” The Times reported. "Sometimes their visits were so sensitive they went in civilian clothing."
Moscow views the Ukraine conflict as a Western-led proxy war against Russia, asserting that Ukrainians are used as "cannon fodder" and considering foreign fighters for Kiev as "mercenaries" working on behalf of Western governments. Senior officials in Moscow have indicated that the more complex weapon systems supplied to Kiev are likely operated by NATO personnel.
Current and former NATO troop presence has been implicitly acknowledged but not openly confirmed by Western officials. For instance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted last year that British and French forces were involved in preparing Ukrainian missile launches, explaining why Berlin would not supply similar arms to Kiev.
Earlier this month, a New York Times investigation revealed that the administration of former US President Joe Biden provided Ukraine with support that extended far beyond mere arms shipments, including daily battlefield coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint strategy planning, all deemed essential to Kiev’s efforts against Russia.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
A report by The Times reveals that Britain's military leadership has engaged in a significantly broader and covert role in the Ukraine conflict than previously understood. This involvement includes not only the design of battle plans and provision of intelligence but also the authorization of secret troop deployments within Ukraine to deliver weapons training and technical support.
Although London's political and military support for Kiev has been publicly acknowledged since the 2014 Western-backed coup, the extent of its activities after the escalation in February 2022 had "remained largely hidden… until now," the British newspaper stated on Friday, citing unnamed Ukrainian and British military personnel.
The Times reported that British troops were discreetly sent into Ukraine in small numbers at various points throughout 2022 and 2023, taking measures to avoid provoking Russia. Notably, UK forces were involved in equipping Ukrainian aircraft with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles and training pilots and ground crews in their operation. "UK troops were secretly sent to fit Ukraine’s aircraft with the missiles and teach troops how to use them," the publication noted, emphasizing that this was not the first time British troops had been deployed on the ground.
Since 2015, the UK has delivered thousands of NLAW anti-tank missiles to Kiev while sending instructors to train Ukrainian soldiers in their use. Although British troops were withdrawn from Ukraine shortly before the February 2022 escalation, the deteriorating battlefield conditions and urgent need for technical expertise led to the quiet redeployment of small teams alongside fresh supplies of missiles, according to the newspaper.
Additionally, London reportedly played a crucial role in aiding Ukraine to prepare for its much-publicized 2023 “counteroffensive” against Russia and in facilitating communication between Kiev and Washington when the operation did not meet US expectations. The newspaper asserted that “behind the scenes,” Ukrainian forces referred to Britain’s military leadership as the “brains” of the “anti-Putin” coalition, and former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace was seemingly nicknamed “the man who saved Kiev” by military officials.
“The Americans went to Ukraine only on rare occasions because of concerns that they would be seen to be too involved in the war, unlike Britain’s military chiefs, who were given the freedom to go whenever necessary,” The Times reported. "Sometimes their visits were so sensitive they went in civilian clothing."
Moscow views the Ukraine conflict as a Western-led proxy war against Russia, asserting that Ukrainians are used as "cannon fodder" and considering foreign fighters for Kiev as "mercenaries" working on behalf of Western governments. Senior officials in Moscow have indicated that the more complex weapon systems supplied to Kiev are likely operated by NATO personnel.
Current and former NATO troop presence has been implicitly acknowledged but not openly confirmed by Western officials. For instance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz admitted last year that British and French forces were involved in preparing Ukrainian missile launches, explaining why Berlin would not supply similar arms to Kiev.
Earlier this month, a New York Times investigation revealed that the administration of former US President Joe Biden provided Ukraine with support that extended far beyond mere arms shipments, including daily battlefield coordination, intelligence sharing, and joint strategy planning, all deemed essential to Kiev’s efforts against Russia.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
