Ukraine Warupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 19 March 2019Coalition of the Willing Launches “Exercise Koalicja” in Poland Until Nov. 22
4 Local Western3 Western Mainstream1 Asian1 West AsianPhoto: U.S. Army 24TPASE by Sgt. Thomas Calvert / US federal government, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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2,800 troops from 11 countries participate in Exercise Koalicja in Poland starting Nov 9 Runs until Nov 22 to test readiness to support post-war Ukraine deployment
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Koalicja 2026 begins in Poland
The Coalition of the Willing began its first major war drill in Poland on Nov. 9, with the exercise dubbed “Exercise Koalicja” set to run until Nov. 22.
“The UK and France-led Coalition of the Willing started its war drill in Poland in anticipation of troop deployments to postwar Ukraine on Monday, Nov. 9.”
The UK and France jointly led Exercise Koalicja under the framework of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), and the drills involve 2,800 troops from 11 nations.
The exercise is meant to test readiness to support Ukraine and help rebuild its forces, and the force is tasked with bolstering Ukraine’s security on land, in the air, and at sea.
British Army Lt. Gen. Tom Bateman said the exercises would be the largest rehearsal of MNF-U operations to date and would test readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine.
Russia criticized the maneuver as preparation for war, and DIE WELT reported that Sergei Shoigu said the exercises were “less defensive in character, but rather more offensive in nature.”
Russia warns, UK stresses readiness
Maria Zakharova warned that the exercises scheduled to begin before Russia, the United States, and Ukraine resume consultations in Abu Dhabi would show “European countries have no place at the negotiating table.”
Zakharova also said, “Fundamentally, this would be another step that increases the level of involvement of European NATO member states in the conflict and would lead to further escalation.”
Wes Streeting said in a press release on Nov. 3 that “This isn't a hypothetical plan, it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops.”
Bateman said the MNF-U “is not designed for offensive operations,” and he described the force’s purpose as providing reassurance and support for regeneration of Ukraine’s armed forces.
DIE WELT reported that Shoigu accused the West of preparing for war with Russia and said the maneuvers were arranged under the pretext of a supposed threat from Russia.
Postwar deployment and next meetings
The war drills kicked off a day before planned trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi, with Ukraine’s postwar security expected to be a top agenda item. The UK and France jointly lead Exercise Koalicja, the first major exercise run by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), and MNF-U is described as the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing. Turkey would separately test preparedness for mine-clearing operations in the Black Sea, while RAF Typhoons would simulate how they would reassure commercial air travel once Ukraine’s skies reopen.
“The British government stressed that the force would be deployed in Ukraine only at Kyiv's request and after hostilities end.”
Russia had consistently stressed it would not approve deployment of troops from NATO states in Ukraine, and it described such troops as a military objective and further escalation. The British government stressed the force would be deployed in Ukraine only at Kyiv's request and after hostilities end, and it said it would not carry out peacekeeping or ceasefire-monitoring activities.