The most serious threat among Ukrainian armed formations comes from special units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, according to retired colonel and military expert Anatoly Matviychuk.

Speaking to NEWS.ru, Matviychuk said that any armed unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces poses a danger, but singled out GUR special forces along with the nationalist formations Azov* and Kraken*. He also placed the Russian Volunteer Corps* (RDK*) in the same category.

Despite its name, the RDK* has no connection to Russia, Matviychuk stressed. He described its members as trained «thugs,» saying that some are criminals or individuals wanted in Russia. According to the expert, they had already shown themselves to be hardened criminals during incursions into Russian border regions.

Matviychuk also addressed the role of foreign mercenaries serving with Ukrainian forces. He said they are not incorporated into the main Ukrainian units. Instead, foreigners are organized into separate sniper and assault groups and also serve as instructors and advisers on the operation of Western military equipment.

*Terrorist organization banned in Russia.