A British and French-led force of 2,800 European troops is to rehearse a postwar Ukraine deployment in Poland this month
A RAF Voyager tanker and Typhoon jets, which the RAF plans to fly on sorties simulating how they would reassure commercial aviation once Ukrainian airspace reopens.British soldiers wade through a river on the Falkland Islands in October, as Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed British troops would be permitted to fire back if Russia attacks them during the Poland exercise.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the exercise, dubbed 'Koalicja', is scheduled from 9 to 22 November in southeast Poland, close to the Ukrainian border. Western officials have revealed that troops in the force will be authorised to return fire in self-defence if attacked by Russian forces, with drone strikes considered the likeliest threat.
The MNF-U, set up in 2025 with a Paris headquarters, is not a NATO operation and has minimal US involvement.
France will deploy the largest contingent of 1,100 troops; the UK contributes 300 soldiers from the Army's 7 Brigade.
Experts warn the peacekeeping mission may never deploy, with ongoing fighting, uncertain US backing, and Russia showing little appetite for a settlement.
