Special forces units were instructed to prepare for deployment to Ukraine by military planners responsible for force preparation in the Cabinet Office, according to two military sources cited by The i Paper.

The UK's military planning command center, the Permanent Joint Headquarters, received directives last week to begin the process of deploying personnel and resources.

Orders, which also concern reservists of the special forces, involve bringing personnel to combat readiness to ensure the operability of military equipment before receiving notification of mobilization to Ukraine.