World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Ukraine coalition begins first post-war deployment exercise in Poland
A British- and French-led coalition began its first major deployment exercise in Poland on Nov.
9.
About 2,800 troops from 11 countries are taking part in the drill, which runs until Nov.
22.
The force being prepared is intended to support Ukraine after the fighting ends, as part of security guarantees meant to deter future Russian aggression.
The exercise tests how troops and supplies move, how the multinational force works together, and how aircraft and ships could help protect civilian travel and trade.
The force would support Ukraine’s own military, not monitor a ceasefire or act as peacekeepers.
Britain says it would deploy in Ukraine only after hostilities end and at Kyiv’s request.
Moscow says foreign forces in Ukraine would be unacceptable and has warned they could be treated as legitimate targets.
The British- and French-led Coalition of the Willing began its first major exercise in Poland on November 9 to prepare for a possible post-war deployment in Ukraine.
About 2,800 troops from 11 countries are taking part in Exercise Koalicja, which is scheduled to run until November 22.
The exercise is testing the movement of troops and supplies, multinational command and cooperation, and support for safe air and sea travel to Ukraine.
The coalition says its force would deploy only after hostilities end and at Kyiv’s request.
Russia opposes foreign troops being stationed in Ukraine and says they would be treated as legitimate targets.
- Who
- About 2,800 troops from 11 countries in the British- and French-led Coalition of the Willing are taking part.
- What
- The coalition has begun its first major exercise, Exercise Koalicja, to prepare for a possible post-war deployment in Ukraine.
- When
- It began on November 9, 2026, and is scheduled to run until November 22.
- Where
- The exercise is based in Poland; Handelsblatt also reports activity in Romanian airspace and the western Black Sea.
- Why
- The exercise is meant to test the coalition’s readiness to support Ukraine and help secure a lasting post-war peace.
Coalition of the Willing
Russia
Foreign troop deployment
Coalition of the Willing
The coalition is preparing a force to support Ukraine after the war, but says it would deploy only after hostilities end and at Kyiv’s request.
Russia
Russia says the stationing of foreign forces in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable and would create additional security threats.
Role of the force
Coalition of the Willing
The force is intended to support Ukraine’s military and contribute to post-war security guarantees; it would not conduct peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring.
Russia
Russia says any foreign military units in Ukraine would be legitimate targets for its armed forces.
The Coalition of the Willing was formed to support Ukraine.
The coalition decided to form a multinational force at a Ukraine summit in Berlin.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the force was operationally ready and announced exercises in Ukraine’s neighboring countries for the autumn.
Exercise Koalicja began in Poland.
The exercise is scheduled to end.
- Exercise name
- Koalicja 2026
- Troop numbers
- About 2,800
- Participating nations
- 11
- Exercise dates
- November 9–22, 2026
- Coalition membership
- About 35 countries
- German contribution
- About 10 staff officers; Handelsblatt reports up to two A400M transport aircraft and logistical support
4 sources
Coalition of the Willing kicks off first exercise for post-war Ukraine deployment
Erstes Manöver der Ukraine-Koalition beginnt in Polen
Krieg in der Ukraine – «Koalition der Willigen» startet multinationale Militärübung
„Koalition der Willigen“: Was es mit dem Manöver der Ukraine-Koalition auf sich hat
What people are saying
This isn't a hypothetical plan, it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops.
We reaffirm that the deployment of foreign armed forces in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable.
that we are ready, determined and credible - on land, in the air and at sea