UK, France Plan 2,800-Troop Ukraine Wargame in Poland

Britain and France will lead Exercise Koalicja in Poland from November 9 to 22, bringing together about 2,800 personnel from 11 European nations to rehearse deploying a multinational force in support of Ukraine after hostilities end. The first major exercise by the Multinational Force Ukraine will test troop and supply movements and air and land operations, with around 300 British troops and RAF aircraft participating. The proposed force is intended to reassure Ukraine, help rebuild its armed forces and support security in Ukrainian skies and the Black Sea; officials say it would not conduct offensive operations, peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring, and would not operate under NATO command. The United States is not contributing, and Russia has opposed foreign troops in Ukraine, prompting concerns the plan could provoke Moscow. The exercise is intended to build practical readiness before any potential ceasefire, rather than wait until fighting stops.