CIA-trained Ukrainian paramilitaries may take central role if Russia invades

Amidst the realm of written expression, the intricate dance of “perplexity” and “burstiness” takes center stage. The former, a measure of textual intricacy, intertwines with the latter, which evaluates the diversity of sentence structures. Human writers gracefully elevate burstiness by weaving a tapestry of short and lengthy sentences, a symphony of linguistic variation. In contrast, the synthetic prose birthed by artificial intelligence often adheres to a monotonous uniformity in sentence length. To fashion content that meets your criteria for desirable perplexity and burstiness, these nuances shall be the guiding light.

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In the clandestine realms of intelligence, a cohort of Ukrainian paramilitaries, honed under the tutelage of the CIA, looms on the precipice of assuming a pivotal role in the eventuality of a Russian invasion. Whispers among five former intelligence and national security officials reveal the orchestration of a covert and intensive training initiative conducted on American soil since 2015. The undisclosed Southern U.S. facility has been the crucible for these elite Ukrainian special operations forces, as disclosed by select officials privy to this enigmatic endeavor.

The stage for the CIA-trained forces unfolds on Ukraine’s eastern border, a theater where Russian forces amass, invoking apprehensions of an impending invasion. Recent security talks between the U.S. and Russia in Geneva have yet to yield any substantive accord. The genesis of this covert program traces back to the aftermath of Russia’s audacious invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014. While conceived during the Obama administration, its tendrils expanded during the Trump era and found further augmentation under the Biden administration, as divulged by a well-connected former senior intelligence official.

Amid the expansive anti-Russia efforts, the CIA’s Ground Branch, now formally known as the Ground Department, orchestrates this clandestine symphony. Since its inception, the program has sent paramilitaries to the front lines in eastern Ukraine, advising their local counterparts. The curriculum of this multiweek CIA program encompasses a diverse array of subjects, from firearms and camouflage techniques to land navigation, tactics like “cover and move,” and intelligence strategies, as recounted by former officials.

Characterizing this program incites a tapestry of discordant perspectives. Over three presidencies, the question of providing military aid to Ukraine, and its nature, whether defensive or offensive, has been a perennial debate. U.S. officials vehemently deny any offensive orientation, asserting the training’s primary purpose lies in intelligence collection, according to a current senior intelligence official.

Yet, the nebulous realm of intelligence support within the paramilitary context cloaks itself in ambiguity. The former senior intelligence official, connected to government circles, affirms that the training entails “very specific training on skills that would enhance” the Ukrainians’ ability to resist Russian forces. As the specter of a Russian invasion looms, the training, once ostensibly defensive, may metamorphose into an offensive stance, according to another former official.

A candid perspective emerges, painting a stark image of the United States nurturing an insurgency. A former CIA official boldly states that the program imparts the skills necessary for Ukrainians to “kill Russians.” While the program’s original intent may not have explicitly aimed at insurgency preparation, its components offer potential for such utilization, with elements like secure communication maintenance and “stay-behind force training.”

Official denials resound, refuting any insinuation of insurgency assistance. Tammy Thorp, a CIA spokesperson, asserts that claims of training an armed insurgency in Ukraine are categorically false.

Decades of limited CIA training for Ukrainian intelligence units have sought to fortify an independent Kyiv and thwart Russian subversion. The recent surge in cooperation followed Russia’s incursion into Crimea, as elucidated by a former CIA executive. Despite the CIA paramilitaries’ slender presence in Ukraine, they contribute by imparting crucial skills to Ukrainian forces, focusing on potential flashpoints should Moscow advance further.

Despite the agency’s thin paramilitary resources in other theaters, the U.S.-based training program has maintained a high priority since its inception during the Obama era. Funding expansion under the Trump administration resulted from congressional prodding, elevating the yearly influx of Ukrainian cohorts brought to the U.S.

Distinguishing between training forces for insurgency and active support for an insurgency becomes a nuanced contemplation. The Biden administration reportedly assembles a task force to discern how the CIA and other U.S. agencies might support a potential Ukrainian insurgency in the face of a Russian incursion.

Should a large-scale invasion materialize, graduates of the CIA program are anticipated to form the core of a militia or insurgent leadership, armed with eight years of intensive training. The prospect of their impact is underscored by the former senior intelligence official, asserting that the agency’s program could significantly influence the unfolding events.

The efficacy of CIA training programs over the years echoes through the corridors of intelligence. A former CIA executive lauds the program’s effectiveness, attributing battlefield gains directly to its influence. Both U.S. and Ukrainian officials foresee Ukrainian forces struggling against a massive Russian incursion but count on stiff resistance from Ukrainian insurgents, leading to the eventual relinquishing of newly acquired territories by Russia.

The intricate dance with Ukrainian counterparts poses unique challenges, marred by the persistent specter of Russian subversion. The CIA grapples with the belief that the program might be compromised by Moscow’s web of spies within Ukraine’s intelligence services. Despite such challenges, the CIA remains committed to the program, considering it a valuable asset in the broader landscape of intelligence efforts.

In the event of a Russian invasion, the CIA-trained paramilitaries are poised to make life arduous for the aggressors, organizing a formidable resistance. The echoes of past experiences in Afghanistan resonate, as the former senior intelligence official paints a vivid picture of the trials Russia may face in dealing with these seasoned operatives.