British troops to join major military exercise preparing for Ukraine peace

UK troops and RAF jets will take part in a huge war-game in Poland in an effort to prepare for potential peace in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Defence. Exercise Koalicja will be led by the UK and France and will involve 2,800 military forces from 11 different nations. The aim of the multinational war-game is to ensure NATO forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees when the war with Russia comes to an end. The major military exercise will run from November 9-22 and will be the first of its kind conducted by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), which is the military branch of the Coalition of the Willing. The drill will simulate moving troops and supplies such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a Coalition of the Willing summit in July.Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the plan aims at helping Ukraine get back on its feet once peace is declared (AFP/Getty)Some 300 UK troops will take part, with soldiers from the Army’s 7 Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, rehearsing crucial logistical movements as RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft fly sorties overhead.The jets will simulate how they would reassure commercial aviation once Ukrainian airspace reopens.Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This exercise shows the UK is stepping up, alongside France and our allies, to prepare for the day peace comes to Ukraine.“This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops.“By leading this work with our allies, we are protecting the UK and Europe for the long term and delivering on our commitment to keep the country safe.RAF jets will also be involved in the exercise (Getty)“Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will stand with them for as long as it takes.”British three-star general Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, who commands the MNF-U, said: “This exercise will show that the Multinational Force Ukraine 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 MNF-U will be more ready every day to support Ukraine when the fighting ends, ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in the strongest possible position to deter future aggression.”The participating nations are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK.Turkish forces in Istanbul will rehearse maritime mine clearance to help restore commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports.