British and French Paratroopers Prepare for Possible Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine

British and French paratroopers have carried out joint exercises as part of preparations for a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

More than 600 troops from the UK’s 16th Air Assault Brigade took part in a training airborne assault alongside soldiers from France’s 11th Parachute Brigade, according to The Telegraph.

The drills, held in Brittany, coincided with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and marked the final phase of the paratroopers’ training ahead of possible deployment anywhere in the world as part of NATO forces.

This comes just weeks after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United Kingdom and France could lead a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached between Moscow and Kyiv.

Although the specific units that could take part in such an operation have not yet been announced, troops from the UK’s 16th Air Assault Brigade are part of Britain’s high-readiness forces and are capable of deploying at short notice alongside NATO allies.

The UK’s 16th Air Assault Brigade already has experience working with Ukrainian forces.

In 2020, the brigade conducted river-crossing drills and airborne operations in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region together with Ukrainian units as part of the Joint Efforts 2020 exercises.

Exercise Orion

Around 2,000 British and French troops are taking part in Exercise Orion – a test mission aimed at supporting a NATO ally.

The nine-day airborne drills began on February 24, with troops jumping from transport aircraft before securing the area and establishing defensive positions.

French General Renaud Rondet, who is overseeing the exercise, said that this kind of training is critically important.

“These exercises also allow the testing of new structures and equipment, particularly in the field of hybrid communication networks and the integration of drones. The ability to innovate quickly and adapt is now a key factor in maintaining an advantage on the battlefield,” he added.

The exercises will conclude on March 3.

Possible deployment in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated that the United Kingdom and France could each send around 5,000 troops to Ukraine if a peace agreement with Russia is reached.

However, questions have been raised about the United Kingdom’s ability to assemble such a force, as the size of the British Army has fallen to around 70,000 personnel – its lowest level in more than 200 years.

This week, Keir Starmer was warned that the United Kingdom would likely have to withdraw some troops from Estonia and Cyprus in order to deploy a fully staffed brigade to Ukraine.

In January, the United Kingdom announced the allocation of $268 million to prepare its forces for a possible deployment to Ukraine.