A crack team of SAS veterans will be joining Ukrainians as they fight against the Russian invasion.
Retired UK special forces soldiers have volunteered for missions to back up Ukraine's defence, reports the Mirror.
Ex-Paratroopers and other UK military specialists may eventually join the special forces teams.
The veterans, aged between 40 and 60, have had meetings to discuss signing up for the dangerous mission, backing up Ukrainians in combat.
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Among them is highly-trained snipers and experts in the use of anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.
Snipers will also help in taking out Russian forward air spotters and Moscow’s special forces who are guiding in airstrikes on troops and local communities.
It is believed the operation is not being paid for by the British government but will be funded by a country in Europe, still to be named, via a private military company.
The plan is a way of backing Ukraine militarily but without officially sending serving troops into battle against Vladimir Putin’s forces.
More than a dozen of the veterans have already arrived in Ukraine and another dozen will travel there this week.
Among them are warrant officers, sergeants and corporals who have fought all over the world but no Army officers have signed up yet.
It follows Ukraine’s President Zelensky announcing an international call to arms for people to go to Ukraine and help defend his homeland.
So far, according to official Ukrainian figures, his troops have killed 5,300 Russian troops in battles for cities throughout the country.
One ex-SAS man told the Daily Mirror: “This has had to happen very quickly as the situation in Ukraine is now desperate and they need urgent help.
“A lot of ex-parachute regiment colleagues are also very keen to go. Many people are very keen to go and it has had to be organised very quickly.
“It is legal as none of the men going out are still serving and Ukraine has invited people to go in and help the fight militarily.
“It means some of the most experienced veterans in the world will assist Ukraine and link up with Ukraine’s force headquarters.
“And we do know that Putin has a great deal of respect of the SAS.”
Sources confirmed all of the SAS veterans heading for Ukraine are experts in the use of Javelin and Stinger missiles.
