CIA trained Ukrainian squads to launch anti-Russian insurgency: Report

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been overseeing a covert trainin program for elite Ukranian special forces since 2015, YahooNews reported, citing  five former intelligence and national security officials familiar with the program. The operation that is taking place in an undisclosed facility in southern US is to prepare them for a standoff with Russian forces and running an insurgency. 

The report comes out as tensions around Ukraine have intensified over the past several weeks after an alleged Russian troop buildup near the border and claims of preparations for an invasion. The Kremlin, denying the accusations, has pointed to NATO’s military activity near Russian borders. 

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The White House on Saturday said that US intelligence officials have determined a Russian effort is underway to create a pretext for its troops to further invade Ukraine, and Moscow has already prepositioned operatives to conduct “a false-flag operation” in eastern Ukraine. 

The US and Russia’s talks in Geneva have so far failed to reach at a concrete solution. 

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The report by YahooNews states that the CIA-trained squads could play a key role in Ukraine’s eastern borders. The covert program is run by paramilitaries working for CIA’s Ground Department. It was established during the Obama administration in 2014, the report points, after Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea. The program then expanded under Donald Trump’s administration. 

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The CIA is training the Ukrainian forces to use firearms, camouflage techniques, land navigation, tactics like “cover and move,” intelligence and other areas, according to former officials.

However, the US has denied that any covert operation was ever oriented. 

“The purpose of the training, and the training that was delivered, was to assist in the collection of intelligence,” said a current senior intelligence official.

“If the Russians invade, those [graduates of the CIA programs] are going to be your militia, your insurgent leaders,” said the former senior intelligence official.

“We’ve been training these guys now for eight years. They’re really good fighters. That’s where the agency’s program could have a serious impact.”