Thousands of European troops have begun a major military exercise in Poland to rehearse how a multinational force could support Ukraine once the war with Russia ends. The exercise, known as Koalicja 26.2, runs from 9 to 22 November at the Nowa Dęba training area in south-eastern Poland, about 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

Around 2,800 troops from 11 nations are taking part, alongside just under 2,000 Polish troops. The participating countries are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

First major test for the Multinational Force Ukraine

The exercise is the first major rehearsal by the Multinational Force Ukraine, the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing, and is jointly led by the United Kingdom and France. France is contributing the largest contingent, around 1,100 personnel, while the UK has sent about 300 troops.

The drills will test how to move, protect and supply a force that would help rebuild Ukraine's armed forces once the fighting ends, including command systems, logistics and counter-drone measures. Activities are taking place on land, in the air and at sea, with Türkiye leading the maritime element.

Deployment only after fighting ends

Officials have stressed that the force would move into Ukraine only after the fighting has stopped and at the request of Ukraine's government. It would not carry out peacekeeping or ceasefire-monitoring duties. The United States is not taking part in the exercise.

The UK Ministry of Defence announced the exercise on 3 November; the plans were first set out in July by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after a Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris. Read the full account in Military Times and background in Le Monde.