Britain and France lead 2,800 troops in rehearsal for Ukraine peace force
Exercise Koalicja will run in Poland from November 9 to 22 and test how a European force could deploy to Ukraine after a peace deal. Officials say the troops would stay away from the front line but could fire back if attacked.
Britain and France will lead a military exercise in Poland this month to test whether a multinational force can deploy to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. Exercise Koalicja runs from November 9 to 22. The BBC reported that it will rehearse how to move, protect and supply a force in Ukraine. It will also test whether troops from different countries can work together under one command. About 2,800 personnel will take part across land, sea and air. According to the Guardian, France is supplying 1,500 troops from its 1st Division and Britain 300 from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade. The UK is also sending two RAF Typhoon jets. Other troops will come from Poland, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Turkey will lead the maritime mission, which aims to clear mines and reopen the Black Sea for grain exports and other trade. Western officials told the Guardian that the troops would be allowed to fire back if attacked by Russians. One official said that forces would be protected "against any aggression", but stressed that their role would be "defensive in nature". The BBC reported that officials declined to spell out the full rules of engagement. They said the force would not fight offensively, monitor a ceasefire or serve on the…
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