A leaked intelligence assessment prepared for Australia’s secret service claims that former Western special forces personnel were recruited to train Russian citizens, including active-duty servicemen, at private training centers in Bulgaria and Serbia, according to The Telegraph, which obtained a copy of the document. The assessment was prepared for Australia’s intelligence service and is intended to be shared within the Five Eyes alliance, which also includes Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

The Western military veterans were found to be recruited, with 'strong confidence', to train Russian citizens as well as 'active duty military' personnel, according to the report.

Special forces veterans from Australia and Britain have been approached to provide illegal training to Russian soldiers according to a leaked Five Eyes intelligence assessment.