British and European troops rehearse Ukrainian army support mission

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 02:02 · Archive

Hundreds of troops from 11 countries will exercise in Poland to prepare for potential post-war deployment to rebuild Ukraine's military.

The Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), led by Britain and France, is holding its first major exercise. Exercise Koalicja will run from 9 to 22 November in southeastern Poland and will involve around 2,800 troops from 11 countries, according to the Daily Mail, or 10 European countries according to France 24.

The exercise will test how the multinational force can move, protect and supply personnel to help rebuild Ukraine's armed forces once hostilities end. The force was established in 2025 and already has an operational headquarters in Paris. It is not a NATO operation and has limited US involvement.

Defence officials have stressed the force is not offensive. UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting said it is 'a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops'. Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, the British commander leading the MNF-U, said the exercise would show the force is 'a real, capable, readily deployable force that represents a serious commitment from Coalition of the Willing nations to Ukraine's long-term stability and security'.

The force aims to support Ukrainian armed forces, ensure security in Ukrainian skies and allow economic activity to resume in the Black Sea. The outlets note that Russia shows little appetite to settle for peace, and the extent of the exercise risks antagonising Moscow.

How it is being reported

• British troops to participate in major multinational wargame to prepare for peace in UkraineBritish troops will take part in a major multinational wargame to prepare for a potential peace deal in Ukraine. Thousands of soldiers will take part in the military exercise in Poland to ensure Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees. The project, dubbed Exercise Koalicja, is the first major military drill conducted by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), the military wing of the Coalition of the Willing. RAF jets and troops will simulate moving supplies, such as food and fuel, and deploying soldiers. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Some 2,800 military…GB News · 3 Nov, 04:05
• European force to hold first Ukraine support exercise in PolandAround 2,800 troops from 10 European countries will take part in a military exercise in southeastern Poland from November 9 to 22, testing a multinational force designed to support Ukraine after a potential ceasefire. Led by France and Britain, the force aims to bolster Ukraine's security without taking on an offensive role.France 24 · 3 Nov, 01:43
• Hundreds of British troops deploy to Poland in first test of UK-led task force designed to rebuild Ukrainian army amid warning Russia may seek to 'oppose' effortSome 300 soldiers from the British Army's 7 Brigade are heading to Poland to rehearse how they could one day support Ukraine if and when the war ends.Daily Mail · 3 Nov, 00:01

In this story: United Kingdom · France · Poland · Ukraine · Russia · Multinational Force Ukraine · Wes Streeting · Tom Bateman

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