The British Army has declared its readiness to deploy forces to Ukraine if requested by the government, as NATO conducts its largest military exercise of the year near the Ukrainian border.
Brigadier Andy Watson, commanding the British contribution to NATO's Exercise Steadfast Dart in Romania, stated his brigade is "absolutely ready" should they receive deployment orders. The exercise involves 2,500 UK troops just 16 miles from Ukraine's border.
This comes after Labour leader Keir Starmer indicated willingness to send British forces to Ukraine to help guarantee security following any potential ceasefire agreement. However, the specific role these troops might play remains undefined.
The exercise demonstrates the UK's ability to rapidly move substantial forces across Europe, with over 700 military vehicles and 10,000 personnel from eight European nations participating. However, military experts suggest any peacekeeping operation in Ukraine could require more than 100,000 troops - far exceeding current capabilities.
The British Army faces significant constraints, having shrunk to approximately 73,000 regular troops - its smallest size since the Napoleonic wars. This represents a marked decrease from the 100,000-strong force of 2009, when British operations in Helmand, Afghanistan required 9,000 troops.
Despite these limitations, soldiers on the ground express readiness for potential deployment. Corporal Richard Gillin of 4 Scots stated, "we're definitely ready for Ukraine," while Lance Corporal Lewis Antwis suggested such a mission would give troops a clear sense of purpose.
The exercise emphasizes trench and urban warfare training, incorporating lessons learned from the ongoing conflict. Many participating British troops have previously helped train Ukrainian forces in the UK.
However, military commanders stress that any UK deployment would need to be part of a broader international effort. Brigadier Watson emphasized that such an operation is "absolutely not" something the UK could undertake alone, highlighting the need for coordinated allied support.
The potential deployment faces additional challenges, including Russia's firm opposition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has declared the presence of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine "completely unacceptable."