UK and France to lead Ukraine support exercise in Poland

The United Kingdom and France will lead Exercise Koalicja, a multinational military rehearsal in Poland from November 9 to 22 to prepare for a possible post-ceasefire support force for Ukraine. The exercise is intended to test how participating forces could coordinate a deployment if hostilities end; it does not mean a deployment has been authorized or that a ceasefire has been reached. About 2,800 personnel are expected to take part, including 300 from the UK, according to government announcements. France is contributing about 1,100 troops, while Poland is sending 500 personnel, mostly in support roles. Reports differ on whether the exercise includes 10 or 11 countries. The 11-country list names Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK; another account gives a total of 10. The drill is the first major exercise organized by the Multinational Force Ukraine, or MNFU, the military component of the Coalition of the Willing. Established in 2025, the force is not a NATO operation. Its potential deployment is contingent on hostilities ending, with one account also specifying that Kyiv would need to request it. Exercise...