British troops and RAF jets are to rehearse a postwar Ukraine mission in Poland in a warning to Russia
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.
Exercise Koalicja, running from November 9 to 22, will see 2,800 troops from 11 nations rehearse rapidly deploying forces and supplies into Poland, with around 300 soldiers from the British Army's 7 Brigade — the Desert Rats — leading logistical drills while RAF Typhoons and a Voyager tanker fly sorties overhead. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called it 'a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops.' Experts warn the mission faces serious obstacles, including the ongoing fighting and uncertain US backing.
British troops must be prepared to defend against 'the full spectrum of threats', including Russian counter-drone attacks.
The White House has offered intelligence and logistics support but has refused to commit to intervening if troops deployed to Ukraine were attacked by Russia.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff separately announced working-level Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, mediated by Washington, are to begin next week.
