Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), known for his efforts to withdraw U.S. troops from overseas missions that have not received congressional approval, has introduced a new privileged investigation resolution that requires President Biden to reveal the exact number of US military personnel operating in Ukraine. This resolution comes after leaked Pentagon documents revealed the presence of previously unreported US special forces in Ukraine.

According to the leaked document, as of March, there were 97 special forces from NATO countries operating in Ukraine, including 14 US special forces. When asked for confirmation, the Defense Department declined to discuss or confirm classified information, citing potential impacts on national security and personnel safety. However, the Pentagon has not denied the authenticity of the leaked documents.

While the number of 14 US special forces may seem small, it adds to a series of revelations over the past year that raise more questions than answers. Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis emphasized the need for the American people to know authoritatively whether U.S. troops are involved in military operations in Ukraine and demand accountability if necessary, citing historical examples of presidents secretly using U.S. troops Americans without the consent or knowledge of the public.

Reports last year had already revealed the presence of the CIA in Ukraine, operating covertly to provide weapons and military intelligence to Ukraine. The New York Times reported that “although the Biden administration has stated that it will not deploy US troops to Ukraine, some CIA personnel have continued to operate in the country in secret, primarily in the capital, Kiev, directing much of the massive amounts of intelligence the United States is sharing with Ukrainian forces.”

The Intercept reported in October 2022 that “there is a much larger presence of CIA and US special operations personnel and resources in Ukraine” than is publicly known. They reported that multiple former and current intelligence officials told them the covert operations were being conducted “with a finding of presidential covert action,” for which only a handful of lawmakers have been notified of Congress

The Washington Post reported in February this year that the Pentagon was considering sending commandos in the form of “surveillance teams” to Ukraine to counter Russian disinformation and monitor troop movements, which would require US personnel was on the ground. The exact number of trainers and intelligence personnel working under contract for the US government in Ukraine remains unknown, although there have been suggestions of their presence.

The use of contractors, both American and third-party, has become widespread in US military operations since the Global War on Terror began after 9/11. By the end of 2022, there were approximately 22,000 contractors working for the Department of Defense in the US Central Command area of ​​responsibility. Some experts speculate that contractors may form a significant part of the US personnel presence in Ukraine, although their exact role and numbers remain unknown.

In light of these revelations, Congressman Gaetz’s resolution demands transparency and accountability from the Biden administration regarding the presence of US military personnel in Ukraine. It underscores the need for the American people to be informed about their government’s actions and raises concerns about the potential consequences of covert military operations without adequate oversight or public knowledge.

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