---
title: "Leaked memo suggests Western veterans trained Russians for war"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/leaked-memo-suggests-western-veterans-trained-russians-for-war"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/leaked-memo-suggests-western-veterans-trained-russians-for-war"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/leaked-memo-suggests-western-veterans-trained-russians-for-war.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/leaked-memo-suggests-western-veterans-trained-russians-for-war"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "European Union"
published: "2026-09-10T10:05:14.934Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-10T09:21:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-10T10:05:14.934Z"
trust_score: 60
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-10T10:00:22.185216+00:00"
---

# Leaked memo suggests Western veterans trained Russians for war

*Intelligence assessment claims former special forces members trained Russian citizens in Bulgaria and Serbia.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a leaked intelligence memo, corroborated by multiple outlets, but relies on anonymous sourcing.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, with some outlets quoting the training company's denial.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'scandal' and 'shocking' but the body is more measured.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- A leaked intelligence memo suggests Western military veterans may have trained Russian citizens and active duty personnel.
- The alleged training occurred at private camps in Bulgaria and Serbia, with a company named Alfa-Metal implicated.
- The memo, compiled for Five Eyes intelligence agencies, reportedly found the claims with 'strong confidence'.
- Alfa-Metal has denied training Russian citizens since the Ukraine war began and denied employing former SAS members.

A leaked intelligence memo suggests that Western military veterans, including former members of the British SAS and Australian special forces, may have been involved in training Russian citizens and active duty military personnel. The alleged training is reported to have taken place at private camps located in Bulgaria and Serbia. One company, Alfa-Metal, is specifically mentioned in connection with these activities.

The intelligence assessment was compiled for the Five Eyes intelligence agencies and reportedly concluded the claims with 'strong confidence'. The memo suggests that training courses offered by Alfa-Metal cost approximately €4,000 per person. Reports indicate that the training continued even after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

## Disputed claims

Alfa-Metal has denied training Russian citizens since the start of the war in Ukraine and has also denied employing former SAS members. The company stated that the allegations were 'false'. Alfa-Metal also denied any link to Alfa Region, a Russian private security company, attributing claims of a connection to a similarity in names. However, after being shown a page on Alfa-Metal's website referring to a 'partnership agreement' with Alfa Region, a spokesman confirmed 'historical professional contacts' and stated the company was reviewing archived marketing materials.

## Omissions

None of the right-rated reports below mention the cost estimate of €4,000 per person for training courses that was reported in the full reports from WA Today and Telegrafi.com.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 43% (7)
- Centre: 28% (4)
- Right: 29% (8)

22 of 41 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-10T10:00:22.185216+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-10T10:15:22.217Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports led on the core allegation that Western special forces veterans may have trained Russians to fight in Ukraine. These reports highlighted that the training allegedly occurred in Serbia and Bulgaria and was based on a leaked intelligence report obtained by The Telegraph. Several left-rated outlets, including WA Today, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Brisbane Times, used identical headlines, focusing on ex-Australian special forces troops being approached to train Russians. Index.hr and Telegrafi.com also focused on SAS veterans training Russians, with Telegrafi.com noting the training involved advanced combat skills. Unn.ua mentioned Alfa-Metal's denial of charges and the cost of courses.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the leaked intelligence memo and the allegations of Western veterans training Russian military personnel. Outlets like WA Today and The Age, which were also rated left, used identical headlines to their left-rated counterparts. Portfolio.hu highlighted the 'serious scandal' of Russian soldiers being trained by legendary British SAS veteran elite soldiers. 15min.lt reported that former British Special Forces soldiers trained Russians for war in Ukraine, citing the classified intelligence memorandum. Dailymail.com reported that Western military veterans were recruited with 'strong confidence' to train Russian citizens and 'active duty military' personnel.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted that former elite soldiers, including SAS and Navy Seals, are training Russian troops in Europe, citing The Telegraph and leaked documents. Expressen.se reported that former elite soldiers are training Russians in Europe. Observador.pt noted that a Five Eyes report revealed former British SAS and American Navy Seals soldiers will be training Russian forces, and that the case is under investigation. Korrespondent.net reported that Western special forces veterans could train Russians to fight in Ukraine, with Australian intelligence estimating information about former British SAS fighters with a 'high degree of confidence'. Aftenposten.no stated that a secret report claims former special forces from the UK, US and Australia are training Russian soldiers who will serve in the Ukraine war. Yournews.com reported that a leaked intelligence memo alleges Western special forces veterans trained Russian personnel.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 1
- mixed: 2
- high: 13
- unknown: 24
- veryHigh: 1

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/swiat/news-byli-zolnierze-zachodnich-sil-specjalnych-szkola-rosjan-zask,nIdn,1017165) — Former Western Special Forces Soldiers Training Russians? Surprising Reports in the British Press
- [focus-news.net](https://focus-news.net/novini/Bylgaria/Doklad-Veterani-ot-britanskite-SAS-iamerikanskiya-flot-obuchavat-v-bulgarski-lageri-rusnaci-da-se-biyat-v-Ukraina-3022948) — Report: British SAS and US Navy Veterans Train Russians in Bulgarian Camps to Fight in Ukraine
- [Business Insider (Poland)](https://businessinsider.com.pl/wiadomosci/sledztwo-daily-telegraph-byli-zolnierze-sas-kuszeni-ofertami-w-tle-rosja/1j58nr8) — Disturbing Reports: Former Commandos May Be Training Russians
- [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/europe/skandalen-doklad-v-bylgarsko-selo-podgotvjat-rusnaci-za-vojnata-v-ukrajna-news_2637799.html) — Scandalous Report: Russians Are Being Prepared for the War in Ukraine in a Bulgarian Village
- [Expressen](https://expressen.se/nyheter/varlden/uppgifter-tidigare-elitsoldater-tranar-ryssar-i-europa) — Data: Former Elite Soldiers Train Russians – in Europe
- [turkiyegazetesi.com.tr](https://turkiyegazetesi.com.tr/dunya/ingiliz-ve-amerikali-eski-ozel-kuvvetciler-rus-personeli-egitirken-yakalandi-1815043) — NATO Intelligence Scandal! British Special Forces Are Training Russian Soldiers in Secret Camps.
- [Unknown](https://war.obozrevatel.com/ukr/buli-zaverbovani-veterani-zahidnogo-spetsnazu-mogli-gotuvati-rosiyan-do-vijni-proti-ukraini-the-telegraph.htm) — Recruited: Western Special Forces Veterans Could Train Russians for War Against Ukraine — The Telegraph
- [Dnevnik](https://dnevnik.si/novice/svet/razkrito-porocilo-veterani-britanske-elitne-enote-sas-v-srbiji-in-bolgariji-urijo-ruske-vojake-2826726) — Report Reveals: SAS Veterans Train Russian Soldiers in Serbia and Bulgaria
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/09/10/7190695/leaked-intelligence-memo-alleges-western-special-forces-veterans-trained-russian) — Leaked Intelligence Memo Alleges Western Special Forces Veterans Trained Russian Personnel
- [Stirile Antena 1 Observator](https://observatornews.ro/extern/fosti-militari-sas-ar-fi-antrenat-soldati-rusi-in-tabere-private-din-bulgaria-si-serbia-665797.html) — Former SAS Military Would Have Trained Russian Soldiers in Private Camps in Bulgaria and Serbia
- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://telegraf.rs/vesti/svet/4393836-procurio-tajni-dokument-bivsi-britanski-specijalci-obucavaju-ruse-za-borbu-u-ukrajini) — Leaked Secret Document: Former British Special Forces Train Russians to Fight in Ukraine?
- [24sata.hr](https://24sata.hr/news/britanski-veterani-obucavaju-ruse-za-rat-u-srbiji-i-bugarskoj-1153178) — British Veterans Train Russians for War in Serbia and Bulgaria?
- [Клуб 'Z'](https://clubz.bg/179259) — Western Veterans Trained Russians in Camp Near Gabrovo, Intelligence Report Claims
- [Večernji list](https://vecernji.hr/vijesti/veterani-sas-a-obucavali-ruse-u-kampovima-u-srbiji-cure-detalji-otkrica-1994021) — SAS Trained Russians in Two Camps: One Was Allegedly Also in Serbia, Details Leak
- [www.dnevnik.bg](https://dnevnik.bg/sviat/2026/09/10/4954280_deili_telegraf_v_lageri_v_bulgariia_rusnaci_sa/?ref=rss) — Daily Telegraph: Russians Are Being Trained by Former Western Commandos in Camps in Bulgaria
- [portalanalitika.me](https://portalanalitika.me/clanak/clanak/britanski-mediji-otkrili-bivsi-komandosi-iz-jedinice-sas-obucavaju-ruske-vojnike-u-ukrajini) — British Media Revealed: Former Commandos From the SAS Unit Are Training Russian Soldiers in Ukraine
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/telegraph-veterani-elitnog-sasa-u-srbiji-obucavaju-ruse-za-rat/2832940.aspx) — Telegraph: Veterans of the Elite SAS in Serbia Are Training Russians for War
- [Unknown](https://segabg.com/hot/category-foreign-country/zapadni-specchasti-trenirat-ruski-voynici-bulgariya) — Western Special Forces Train Russian Soldiers in Bulgaria
- [Unknown](https://nv.ua/ukr/world/countries/rosiyan-mogli-navchati-v-yevropi-veterani-zahidnih-specpidrozdiliv-voni-voyuvali-proti-ukrajini-50640096.html) — Veterans of Elite US, Australian and British Units Could Train Russians for War Against Ukraine — The Telegraph
- [ТСН.ua](https://tsn.ua/ato/u-yevropi-mohly-trenuvaty-rosiian-dlia-viyny-proty-ukrayiny-za-uchastiu-veteraniv-spetsnazu-telegraph-3165635.html) — Europe Could Train Russians for War Against Ukraine with Special Forces Veterans
- [plovdiv24.bg](https://plovdiv24.bg/novini/mejdunarodni/The-Telegraph-Veterani-ot-SAS-mozhe-da-sa-obuchavali-ruski-voenni-v-Bulgariya-3022821) — The Telegraph: SAS Veterans May Have Trained Russian Soldiers in Bulgaria
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/programas/conferencia-de-imprensa/ex-militares-ocidentais-estarao-a-treinar-russos) — Former Western Military Will Be Training Russians
- [Unknown](https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/767243-veteraniv-specpriznachenciv-z-ssha-ta-velikoyi-britaniyi-zamanyuyut-do-rosijskih-vijskovih-taboriv-u-bolgariyi) — US and UK Special Forces Veterans Lured to Russian Military Camps in Bulgaria
- [Avaz.ba](https://avaz.ba/vijesti/globus/1071405/zapadni-vojni-veterani-obucavali-ruse-u-kampovima-u-srbiji-i-bugarskoj) — Western Military Veterans Trained Russians in Camps in Serbia and Bulgaria
- [unn.ua](https://unn.ua/news/veteraniv-zakhidnoho-spetsnazu-zapidozryly-u-pidhotovtsi-rosiiskykh-viiskovykh-do-viiny-proty-ukrainy-the-telegraph) — Western Special Forces Veterans Suspected of Preparing Russian Military for War Against Ukraine — The Telegraph
- [Portfolio](https://portfolio.hu/global/20260910/sulyos-botrany-orosz-katonakat-kepeztek-a-legendas-brit-sas-veteran-elitkatonai-861616) — Serious Scandal: Russian Soldiers Were Trained by Elite Soldiers of the Legendary British SAS Veteran
- [Klix](https://klix.ba/vijesti/svijet/britanski-mediji-otkrili-bivsi-komandosi-iz-jedinice-sas-obucavaju-ruske-vojnike-u-ukrajini/260909168) — British Media Revealed: Former Commandos From the SAS Unit Are Training Russian Soldiers in Ukraine
- [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/world/worldabus/4910509-veterany-zapadnoho-spetsnaza-mohly-obuchat-rossyian-voevat-v-ukrayne-smy) — Western Special Forces Veterans Could Train Russians to Fight in Ukraine.
- [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/rozvidka-pidozrjuje-veteraniv-britanskoho-spetsnazu-u-navchanni-rosijan-the-telegraph-1141922.html) — Intelligence Suspects British Special Forces Veterans of Training Russians — The Telegraph
- [Australian Financial Review](https://afr.com/world/europe/ex-australian-special-forces-training-russians-to-fight-in-ukraine-20260910-p60w4i) — Ex-Australian special forces ‘training Russians to fight in Ukraine’
- [Sydney Morning Herald](https://smh.com.au/world/europe/ex-australian-special-forces-troops-approached-to-train-russians-to-fight-ukraine-leaked-report-claims-20260910-p60w0m.html) — Ex-Australian special forces troops approached to train Russians to fight Ukraine, leaked report claims
- [The Age](https://theage.com.au/world/europe/ex-australian-special-forces-troops-approached-to-train-russians-to-fight-ukraine-leaked-report-claims-20260910-p60w0m.html) — Ex-Australian special forces troops approached to train Russians to fight Ukraine, leaked report claims
- [Brisbane Times](https://brisbanetimes.com.au/world/europe/ex-australian-special-forces-troops-approached-to-train-russians-to-fight-ukraine-leaked-report-claims-20260910-p60w0m.html) — Ex-Australian special forces troops approached to train Russians to fight Ukraine, leaked report claims
- [WA today](https://watoday.com.au/world/europe/ex-australian-special-forces-troops-approached-to-train-russians-to-fight-ukraine-leaked-report-claims-20260910-p60w0m.html) — Ex-Australian special forces troops approached to train Russians to fight Ukraine, leaked report claims
- [IBTimes UK](https://ibtimes.co.uk/leaked-report-western-veterans-training-russians-1818860) — British SAS and US Navy SEAL Veterans Accused of Training Russian Forces to Fight in Ukraine in Leaked Report
- [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/newsfront/sas-russia-british-soldiers/2026/09/09/id/1268879) — Report: British Combat Vets Train Russian Warfighters
- [Aftenposten](https://aftenposten.no/verden/i/2pwj8r/hemmelig-rapport-vestlige-veteransoldater-trener-russere-til-aa-kjempe-i-ukraina-krigen) — Secret Report: Western Veterans Are Training Russians to Fight in the Ukraine War
- [15min.lt](https://15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/pasaulis/the-telegraph-buve-didziosios-britanijos-specialiuju-pajegu-kariai-apmoke-rusus-karui-ukrainoje-57-2760700) — The Telegraph: Former British Special Forces Soldiers Trained Russians for War in Ukraine
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16118085/British-SAS-US-veterans-Russians-Ukraine-Bulgarian-camps.html) — British SAS and US Navy Seal veterans 'training Russians' in Bulgaria
- [Telegrafi](https://telegrafi.com/veteranet-e-sas-it-trajnojne-ruset-ne-kampe-ne-serbi-dhe-bullgari-per-te-luftuar-ne-ukraine) — SAS Veterans Train Russians in Camps in Serbia and Bulgaria to Fight in Ukraine
- [The Telegraph](https://telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/09/sas-veterans-training-russians-kill-ukrainian-leaked-report/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_reddit_russians-kill-ukrainian-leaked-report/&accesscontrol=facebookchannel_open) — SAS veterans ‘training Russians to fight in Ukraine’

## Questions

**What does the leaked intelligence memo allege?**

The memo suggests that Western military veterans, including former British SAS and Australian special forces, may have trained Russian citizens and active duty military personnel. This alleged training reportedly took place at private camps in Bulgaria and Serbia.

**Which company is named in connection with the alleged training?**

The company Alfa-Metal is named in connection with the alleged training. The memo suggests that training courses offered by Alfa-Metal cost approximately €4,000 per person.

**What is Alfa-Metal's response to the allegations?**

Alfa-Metal has denied training Russian citizens since the start of the war in Ukraine and has also denied employing former SAS members, stating the allegations were 'false'. The company also initially denied links to Alfa Region, a Russian private security company.

**Who compiled the intelligence memo?**

The intelligence memo was compiled for the Five Eyes intelligence agencies, which include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The assessment reportedly found the claims with 'strong confidence'.

---

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