European peacekeepers: 2,800 troops to test rapid deployment in Ukraine
An Anglo-French led force will rehearse combat protocols in Poland this month, ensuring European troops can defend themselves without relying on US technology.
By Harper Laurent ·
2,800 soldiers, sailors, and aviators will assemble in Poland later this month for an 11-country military rehearsal. The exercise, named Koalicja, tests how European nations can deploy forces rapidly to Ukraine if a ceasefire holds. The goal is to prove that European militaries can operate effectively without waiting for American support.
France will supply 1,500 troops from its 1st Division. Britain will send 300 personnel from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade. The remaining participants include Poland, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. Lt Gen Tom Bateman, who commands the force, stated that these nations are committed to providing binding security guarantees for Ukraine after hostilities end.
Western officials confirmed that the stabilisation force will be allowed to fire back if attacked. An official familiar with the plans described the engagement as defensive in nature. They emphasized that the force would not rely on US systems or technology. Specifically, the force is expected to avoid dependence on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites for communications. This decision follows recent concerns about US reliability, including a ten-day restriction on Ukraine’s use of Starlink’s military variant, Starshield, last month.
The exercise aims to show military preparedness and rapid deployment capabilities. These plans have been in development for over a year. Bateman noted that the force is non-Nato, meaning it operates outside the western military alliance. He added that the primary aim is to assist in regenerating and strengthening Ukraine’s military. Western troops would deploy well away from the front line, though they would be ready to act in self-defence against drone attacks.
The deployment remains hypothetical until a durable ceasefire is agreed. President Donald Trump has said he would not commit American forces to peacekeeping in Ukraine. However, the exercise serves as a reminder that the conflict could reignite. Russia has a history of low-level attacks during the Ukraine ceasefire between 2014 and 2022. Fresh peace efforts this autumn have yielded little progress, despite plans for three-way talks brokered by the US later this month.
Operations will also include fighter jet patrols to help reopen Ukraine’s commercial airports. Turkey will lead an effort to clear mines in the Black Sea, aiming to reopen the region for grain exports and other maritime trade. Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia continue to bomb each other’s energy infrastructure. On Sunday and Monday, air-raid alert apps in both countries were hacked. The Ukrainian app briefly warned of nuclear and chemical threats, as well as streetfighting.
The UK has already committed to helping other countries defend themselves against attacks from Iran and Yemen’s Houthis in the Middle East. RAF Typhoons flew dozens of sorties from Qatar in the spring to protect Gulf states. Last month, the UK committed to help Saudi Arabia deal with Houthi missile and drone strikes. These actions demonstrate the operational readiness of the European forces involved in the upcoming exercise.
