2,800 Troops From 11 Nations Will Rehearse in Poland How to Support Ukraine Once the Fighting Ends

Hundreds of British troops, RAF jets and forces from 11 nations will rehearse in Poland this month how to secure lasting peace in Ukraine when the fighting ends, the UK government announced in a release published early Tuesday. The UK and France will jointly lead Exercise Koalicja, the first major exercise run by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), from Nov. 9 to Nov. 22.

Some 2,800 troops are taking part on land, in the air and at sea, including 300 UK personnel. Soldiers from the British Army's 7 Brigade will rehearse logistical movements, RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft will fly sorties simulating how they would reassure commercial air travel once Ukraine's skies reopen, and Turkish forces will stand up the force's maritime element in Istanbul, testing mine-clearance arrangements so commercial shipping can safely return to Ukraine's ports, the government said. The 11 participating nations are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and the UK.

The MNF-U is the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing, the group of nations that have pledged strengthened military, economic and diplomatic support to Ukraine. In the event of peace, the force would help underpin Ukraine's future security and regenerate its armed forces — but it would only move into Ukraine once fighting has ceased and at the request of Ukraine's government, and it would not carry out peacekeeping or ceasefire-monitoring duties, the release said.

The force is commanded by British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, and its headquarters is set to move from Paris to London this year. In the release, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise shows the UK stepping up with France and its allies to prepare for the day peace comes to Ukraine, calling the force real and ready to help once the fighting stops.