British troops are to rehearse a postwar Ukraine mission in Poland and would be allowed to fire back at Russians
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, the first drill by the Multinational Force Ukraine, will deploy 2,800 personnel from 11 nations to Poland from November 9 to 22, with Britain and France jointly leading the operation. Around 300 UK troops from the 7 Brigade — the Desert Rats — will rehearse logistics while RAF Typhoons and a Voyager tanker fly sorties simulating how they would reopen Ukrainian airspace to commercial traffic.
Western officials say the force will be almost exclusively European, steering clear of any reliance on US systems or technology, Starlink included.
Experts warn the deployment may never happen, citing ongoing fighting, uncertain American support and the outcome of upcoming French elections.
Russia has already declared foreign troops in Ukraine would be 'legitimate targets', and officials say the force will prepare to counter 'the full spectrum of threats', including drone attack.
