Elite Canadian operators from the Canadian Special Operations Command are training Ukrainians on the ground in Ukraine, multiple sources tell Global News. Sources told Global News that members of the Canadian Special Operations Command are also facilitating the delivery of weapons and equipment. Global News is not identifying which units are involved due to operational security concerns. The news comes after Defense Minister Anita Anand had announced plans to deploy regular members of the Canadian Forces to the UK as part of a special training plan for Ukrainian recruits, describing it as a fulfillment of the Canadian government’s commitment when it called off Operation Unifier. training mission to Ukraine just before the Russian invasion earlier this year. Story continues below ad
Read more: Canadian Forces to train Ukrainian soldiers in UK to counter Russia
The Canadian Special Operations Command did not deny the operations, but declined to comment when contacted by Global News. In an interview, Anand also did not deny the operations. “In terms of the special forces and their position and their information in that regard, it would be unwise for me to provide that information,” she said in an interview Thursday with Global News. Trending Stories
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“These are very sensitive matters and I take my role as Canada’s Minister of National Defense very seriously, including the protection and safety and security of our troops around the world. And so I’ll leave it at that.” The New York Times has previously reported the presence of some Canadian special operations members in Ukraine, but their role and presence have not been confirmed by any Canadian media until now. 2:46 War-torn hospital near Ukraine’s front lines continues to operate War-torn hospital near Ukraine’s front lines continues to operate The training rotation announced Thursday will see up to 225 members of the Canadian Forces deploy to the United Kingdom over the next four months, with the first group of trainers departing next week. Story continues below ad They will train Ukrainian recruits in frontline combat and the rules of engagement under international law, with Anand calling the training program “extensive.” The Canadian Press also reported Thursday that the training support will focus on teaching the Ukrainians how to use the four M777 howitzers that Canada donated earlier this year, as well as cyber assistance through Canada’s electronic spy agency, Communications Security Establishment. Anat said on Thursday that the world was now entering “a new and very dangerous phase of this conflict” as Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to inflict “long-term damage” on Ukraine. 3:30 Who are the Russian troops in Ukraine? Who are the Russian troops in Ukraine? – July 8, 2022 © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
