A team of SAS veterans is set to join Ukraine's battle against the Russian invasion.

Retired UK special forces soldiers have volunteered for a variety of missions deep inside Ukraine to help back up the country's defence.

It is believed that former Paratroopers may at some point join the special forces team in Ukraine, alongside other UK military specialists, The Mirror reports.

The veterans, aged between 40 and 60, have had meetings to discuss signing up for the dangerous mission, backing up Ukrainian forces in combat.

Among them, and key to their operation, are highly-trained snipers and experts in the use of anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.


Ukrainian servicemen patrol during a curfew in Kyiv
Ukrainian servicemen patrol during a curfew in Kyiv (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Snipers will also help in taking out Russian forward air spotters and Moscow’s special forces who are guiding in airstrikes on troops and local communities.


It is believed the operation is not being paid for by the British government but will be funded by a country in Europe, still to be named, via a private military company.

The plan is a way of backing Ukraine militarily but without officially sending serving troops into battle against Vladimir Putin’s forces.


More than a dozen of the veterans have already arrived in Ukraine and another dozen will travel there this week.


Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the National Space Centre construction site in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the National Space Centre construction site in Moscow (Image: SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Among them are warrant officers, sergeants and corporals who have fought all over the world but no Army officers have signed up yet.

It follows Ukraine’s President Zelensky announcing an international call to arms for people to go to Ukraine and help defend his homeland.

So far, according to official Ukrainian figures, his troops have killed 5,300 Russian troops in ferocious battles for cities throughout the country.

The ex-SAS team have fought all over Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere globally.


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a speech in Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a speech in Kyiv (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

One ex-SAS man told the Daily Mirror: “This has had to happen very quickly as the situation in Ukraine is now desperate and they need urgent help.

“A lot of ex-parachute regiment colleagues are also very keen to go. Many people are very keen to go and it has had to be organised very quickly.

“It is legal as none of the men going out are still serving and Ukraine has invited people to go in and help the fight militarily.