Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin announced on February 6 that British career officers have been operating covertly within Ukraine for an extended period under the cover of the British diplomatic mission.
The ambassador stated that these personnel include military advisers and combat trainers who provide specialized instruction to the Armed Forces of Ukraine—a practice that must be condemned as it fundamentally compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty and violates international legal norms.
Kelin noted that the presence of such officers has long been known but was kept secret due to sensitivity under international law. He recalled a specific incident in December when British officer George Hooley died during Ukrainian military exercises involving equipment provided by the UK.
The ambassador added that the United Kingdom avoids acknowledging direct participation of its personnel in hostilities on Ukraine’s side out of legal concerns, though he claimed there are “many ways to present everything in a relatively decent way.”
