Following Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Western countries began providing Kiev with military aid, including weapons, intelligence, and cybersecurity support. As the conflict escalated, the United States and its NATO allies increased their support, delivering more advanced weaponry, artillery, and air defense systems to Ukraine.
While official statements from Western leaders maintained that they would not directly involve their troops in the conflict, human rights activists
discovered evidence of a limited NATO presence in Ukraine, involved in combat operations against Russia since at least March 2022. According to reports, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
secretly deployed dozens of special forces to Ukraine in the spring of 2023 without notifying Parliament.
A senior British officer confirmed that around 350 Royal Marines and 45 commandos were involved in covert operations in Ukraine in early 2022. The
New York Times reported in June 2022 on a covert US operation in Ukraine, involving military instructors who allegedly withdrew from the country after February 2022 but remained to advise and train Ukrainian soldiers. Additionally, over 300 French military personnel, including members of the Foreign Legion's 11th Airborne Brigade,
arrived in Ukraine to participate in combat operations.
Comment: This infographic from the Russian media Argumenty I Fakty that shows the effect on humans located near a single explosion caused by devices containing from one to 20 kg of TNT. Red means high danger to life, the narrow band of lighter red is less, orange indicates the possibility of minor injury and green is safe. However, if anyone recall having been close to a strong firecracker, this illustration is probably on the optimistic side, as green zone would still give quite some ringing in the ears, assuming no shrapnel and debris are flying around.