Hundreds of British troops to head to Poland to rehearse Ukraine mission

Hundreds of British troops will head to Poland to rehearse post-war peacekeeping drills in Ukraine to prepare for if a ceasefire occurs. 

The soldiers, along with military personnel from France and Germany, make up at least 1,500 troops that will head to the Central European country next month.

Plans involve simulating moving troops and logistical supplies to rehearse a post-war scenario where European peacekeepers act as a deterrent in Ukraine.

After meeting with Pete Hegseth in the Pentagon, Wes Streeting said from Washington: 'Next month thousands of personnel will take part in a major exercise in Poland to ensure we are ready to support the military training and postwar rebuilding that Ukraine will need.'

He added: 'Ukraine is the front line for freedom everywhere, and it's absolutely vital that they prevail against Putin's aggression.

'We're planning for the peace and freedom we want to see through our leadership of the coalition of the willing.'

A defence source told The Times that the personnel would practice an exercise where 'multinational troops are together in an area'.

The Polish prime minister has supported the move, saying that France and Britain's presence is 'crucial'.

A Polish official reportedly said that the rehearsals would strengthen the main European military powers against the threat from Russia.

Meanwhile General Sir Roly Walker, chief of the general staff, spoke to the army's response force at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, warning that Britain would need them as global instability continues to grow.

He said: 'Indeed very soon, the political leaders of this country will start to have a frank conversation with the citizens of this country, about just what is going on and where the risk lies, and what the nation must need to be prepared to do.

'You didn't know this, but our nation is going to need you,' he said. 'There was a time that our nation didn't want to think of a time when it would need its soldiers to fight in a war.

'They need to understand what is going on in the world of defence and security and why now appears to be a very dangerous time.'

On Thursday, a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Ryazan region caused a fire to break out at a major oil refinery, marking the first Ukrainian strike on an energy facility since US President Donald Trump announced an 'energy ceasefire' on Sunday.

Trump has called Ukraine's renewed strikes on Russian oil refineries a 'disgrace' in an interview published yesterday.

Speaking to broadcaster Newsmax, the president blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, claiming he – not Vladimir Putin – had 'destroyed' Ukraine.

It came after Mr Zelensky resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries after hitting out at Mr Trump's 'betrayal' at a time of intense Russian attacks.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the Ukrainian leader said the cutting off of US intelligence sharing and the simultaneous weakening of the Starlink satellite internet service was 'dangerous' for civilians.

He added: 'The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We're done.'

'Well, I think that's a disgrace,' Trump said yesterday, adding that Kyiv's recent strikes were driving up global energy prices.

Ukrainians wanted a deal with Russia but 'they're not going to do it with him', he added. 'He says he wants to settle but he doesn't. No, I'm not a big fan of Zelensky.'