Media: UK’s Special Forces on standby as ceasefire agreement with Russia looms

UK's Special Forces have been placed on standby to potentially deploy to Ukraine as part of the UK’s peacekeeping mission, with a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine looking increasingly likely.

Military planners under the Cabinet Office have issued directives to Special Forces units, instructing them to prepare for mobilization to Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), the UK's military command centre, initiated preparations last week for the deployment of personnel and resources, with plans in motion to ensure all military equipment is in full working order. These orders also extend to Special Forces reservists, who have been put on standby in anticipation of further notice.

This move to position key troops comes as the UK prepares to host military leaders from nations ready to support a ceasefire agreement with Russia. Sir Keir Starmer has recently announced that plans to deploy a peacekeeping force to Ukraine have now entered the "operational phase." 

Although UK Special Forces are not typically associated with peacekeeping, military experts have noted that their rapid deployment capabilities, coupled with their expertise in intelligence and reconnaissance, make them well-suited to spearhead the "coalition of the willing" to support the ceasefire efforts. With the peacekeeping mission gaining momentum, the UK’s readiness to deploy its Special Forces could mark a significant development in the international response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

Earlier, UK media reported that several dozen UK Special Forces personnel are already in Ukraine, where they are ensuring the security of the embassy in Kyiv. UK's special forces are typically not involved in peacekeeping duties.

By Naila Huseynova