Aussie soldiers linked to Russian training: Claims ADF Commandos instructing Kremlin soldiers

Australian special forces soldiers are helping train Russians to fight in Ukraine according to a leaked dossier prepared for Five Eyes (FVEYs) intelligence agencies and seen by The Nightly.

The documents compiled for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) detail how “two former Australian Special Forces personnel and one active duty reservist” were approached in 2024 to work as instructors in Serbia and Bulgaria.

“The Australians were approached by a former United States Navy Special Operator who was involved in instruction of courses,” the confidential document sent to ASIS and other partner agencies states.

According to the document titled “Personnel Training Hostile Nations”, Russian participation in the courses was “openly discussed” involving a combat camp run by Alfa-Metal, a military training company, in Mejdeni, northern Bulgaria.

The intelligence report states that after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, private training centres in Europe continued to accept Russian citizens, with some allegedly undergoing advanced close-quarters combat training.

“Alfa-Metal instructors are drawn from a range of backgrounds including the SAS (UK), Australian Commando Regiment, US police forces and SEALS,” the memo seen by The Nightly states.

“It is assessed with High Confidence that US, EU, NATO and FVEYs instructors with special forces, police and other sensitive backgrounds continue to train Russian citizens and active duty military,” the document concludes.

“It is assessed with High Confidence that the (training camps) in Bulgaria and Serbia are highly permissive of Russian personnel undertaking their training programs,” the dossier states.

“It is assessed with High Confidence that had Australian instructors accepted the engagement that they would have done so in contravention of the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Act (SAMS).”

The Alfa-Metal company told The Telegraph newspaper in the UK, which first revealed the existence of the dossier, that it had never employed SAS veterans and had no connection to British special forces.

“Alfa-Metal categorically rejects the claim that we have used or are using former members of the British SAS or other Western special forces to train Russian citizens or people planning to participate in the war in Ukraine on Russia’s side. This claim is false,” a company spokesperson stated.

The training centre also denied any link to Alfa Region and attributed the claim to a confusion over “similarity between the names of independent legal entities”, however, later acknowledged the existence of “historical professional contacts” and stated that it is reviewing old marketing materials.

The Nightly has been unable to independently verify the claims made in the intelligence memo, but has confirmed the government agencies in Canberra have been aware of the presence of Australian military personnel possibly training Russian nationals for “several months”.

Australia’s Defence Department did not answer questions on the matter, citing its long-standing practice of not commenting on intelligence matters, but pointed to a recent crackdown on former personnel providing military training without approval.

“In 2024, Australia passed amendments to the Defence Act 1903 requiring individuals to assess their need for a foreign work authorisation before working for, or training a foreign military organisation or government body,” a defence spokesperson told The Nightly.

“Australian Defence Force personnel, including former members, remain subject to these amendments, the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets (SAMS) legislation and Defence service obligations.”

A British Ministry of Defence spokesman told the UK’s Telegraph newspaper that: “it is long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment on UK Special Forces or intelligence matters.”

“We have robust legislation in place to tackle foreign hostile activity, and the National Security Act gives our intelligence agencies and police the tools they need to detect and disrupt threats.”

Several British SAS sources disputed claims that veterans from the elite regiment had been used, saying such actions would be a betrayal of their values, telling The Telegraph they were unaware of any such veterans instructing Russians on how to fight.

“The SAS is a small community, and people talk,” they said. “If people were doing that, we’d know. If anyone was doing this, I’d be incredibly surprised and deeply disappointed,” one SAS figure was quoted as saying.

On Thursday the Senate voted down a Greens’ amendment requiring travellers to declare any foreign military service, allowing Australians to be able to continue to serve in foreign armies, including those accused of war crimes, without government oversight.