SAS veterans may have trained Russians ahead of the war against Ukraine — The Telegraph
Australian intelligence is investigating reports that Russian citizens and active-duty Russian military personnel may be receiving training from veterans of Western special operations forces at private combat camps in Europe.
A document stating a “high degree of confidence” suggests that former members of the SAS, the Australian Commando Regiment, U.S. law enforcement agencies, and the Navy SEALs may have been involved in training the Russians.
It is worth noting that “SAS veterans” refers to former members of the Special Air Service (SAS), an elite special operations unit of the British Army. The SAS is considered one of the most famous special forces units in the world, and its model has been used to create similar units in other countries, including the U.S. Delta Force.
One of the centers mentioned in the article is the Alfa-Metal training camp in Mayden, in northern Bulgaria. According to the memo, instructors with varying combat experience worked there, and the center itself offered courses in special operations training, sniping, and close-quarters combat.
The cost of such courses was approximately 4,000 euros per person. They were aimed at future employees of private military companies, security guards, and corporate security services.
The intelligence report states that after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, private training centers in Europe continued to accept Russian citizens. Some of them allegedly underwent advanced close-quarters combat training.
The information for the memo was gathered based on the testimonies of two former Australian special forces operatives and one active reservist. They stated that they were offered jobs as instructors at camps in Bulgaria and Serbia, where, according to them, Russian clients were being trained.
The Alfa-Metal website previously featured an image with the SAS logo, and on LinkedIn, the company posted a job opening for a former instructor from the British special forces unit.
“We are looking for an experienced SAS instructor to join our team,” the job posting read.
The Telegraph also highlighted a possible connection between Alfa-Metal and the Russian private security firm Alfa Region, based in St. Petersburg. Alfa Region’s website mentioned a Bulgarian training center and courses for private military contractors.
At the same time, Alfa-Metal denies all allegations. The company stated that it has never hired SAS veterans, has no ties to British special operations forces, and has not trained Russian citizens since the start of the full-scale war.
“Alfa-Metal categorically rejects the claim that we have used or are using former members of the British SAS or other Western special forces to train Russian citizens or people planning to participate in the war in Ukraine on Russia’s side. This claim is false,” a company spokesperson stated.
The company also denied any connection to Alfa Region; however, after questions from journalists, it acknowledged the existence of “historical professional contacts” and stated that it is reviewing old marketing materials. The Telegraph notes that it was unable to independently verify the claims made in the intelligence memo.
Several sources connected to the SAS also cast doubt on the information regarding the involvement of unit veterans. One of the sources noted that the community of former SAS members is small and that such activity would most likely have become known.
“The SAS is a small community, and people talk. If someone were doing this, we’d know. I would be extremely surprised and deeply disappointed,” he said.
Under British and Australian law, former special forces operatives are prohibited from using their training to assist a foreign government.
According to The Telegraph, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service is currently reviewing the materials. If confirmed, the information could be shared with the United Kingdom and the United States through the Five Eyes network.
Source: The Telegraph.
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