Forging Defenders: CIA-Trained Ukrainian Paramilitaries and the Battle Against Russian Incursion
In the event of a Russian invasion, Ukrainian paramilitaries with CIA training could emerge as key players.
A clandestine and rigorous training regimen, managed by the CIA, is underway in the United States for select Ukrainian special forces and intelligence operatives. This initiative, initiated in 2015, is conducted at a discreet facility in the Southern United States, as disclosed by several former intelligence and national security insiders.
These CIA-trained units may soon find themselves at the forefront of Ukraine’s defense along the eastern border, where a significant buildup of Russian forces suggests ominous intentions. Despite recent security discussions between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva, tangible agreements remain elusive.
Initially established during the Obama administration following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and expanded under subsequent administrations, particularly the Biden administration, this covert program operates under the CIA’s Ground Branch, now officially known as the Ground Department.
From 2015 onwards, CIA Ground Branch operatives began providing on-the-ground advisory support to Ukrainian counterparts in the eastern region, a development noted by several former officials.
Training sessions, conducted over several weeks within the U.S., encompass a wide array of skills including firearms proficiency, camouflage techniques, tactical maneuvers such as “cover and move,” as well as intelligence gathering methods, among others, according to former insiders.
Interpretations regarding the nature of this program vary. While U.S. officials emphasize its intelligence-gathering objectives, some observers speculate on its offensive implications, particularly in the event of a Russian incursion.
The program’s curriculum, tailored to enhance Ukrainian capabilities against Russian aggression, may assume a more overtly defensive stance or transition into an offensive posture if circumstances dictate, noted former intelligence figures.
However, assertions of preparing for insurgency have been adamantly refuted by U.S. officials, who stress the program’s defensive orientation.
Despite ongoing concerns regarding potential Russian infiltration, the efficacy of the CIA’s training efforts has been lauded by former officials, who credit it with bolstering Ukrainian resistance against Russian encroachment.
While uncertainties persist, particularly regarding the extent of Russian influence within Ukrainian intelligence circles, the CIA remains committed to empowering select Ukrainian units with specialized training, poised to confront any future Russian aggression.