Multinational Ukraine force to hold first Koalicja drills in Poland from 9 November

Drills start near the Ukrainian border

The Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing co-led by France and the United Kingdom, will open its first large exercise, Koalicja 26.2, on 9 November and run it until 22 November. About 2,800 soldiers from 11 countries are expected to take part, mainly at Nowa Deba in southeastern Poland, near Rzeszów. The drills combine air and ground operations and test how a force moves, protects and resupplies itself. The UK government said the programme will examine those methods for a force intended to help rebuild Ukraine's armed forces. The exercise sits outside NATO's structure, and its stated aims include deterring future aggression and rebuilding Ukraine's economy once the war ends.

Who contributes what

France provides the largest contingent, with about 1,100 soldiers according to several reports, although Wirtschafts Woche cited French army figures of about 1,000. Poland will contribute around 500 soldiers and the United Kingdom about 300, including members of the 7th Brigade 'Desert Rats' and Typhoon fighter jets. Germany will send around ten staff officers, up to two A400M transport aircraft for air-to-air refuelling and logistics support for moving troops across its territory. The Dutch Defence ministry declined to disclose units, numbers or equipment, citing operational security. Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey are also taking part.

France1,100

Poland500

United Kingdom300

France

1100 soldiers

Poland

500 soldiers

United Kingdom

300 soldiers

Data from the article text

Training beyond Poland

Parts of the exercise will also take place in France, where the MNF-U headquarters is located in Paris. Turkey will lead the maritime component from Istanbul, simulating security operations and mine clearance in the Black Sea. Wirtschafts Woche reports that air elements will operate over Romania and the western Black Sea as well. Germany is positioned as a hub for moving troops eastward, which is why its logistics role matters for the drills.

Path into Ukraine

The force would deploy into Ukraine only after a ceasefire or peace agreement. If a truce is reached between Kyiv and Moscow, the contingent may be placed on Ukrainian territory to help rebuild and train the Ukrainian army and secure air and sea space. The coalition was formed in March 2025 at the initiative of France and the United Kingdom and now has around 35 members. In December 2025 members agreed to create the multinational force, which French President Emmanuel Macron declared operational in mid-July 2026 while announcing autumn drills.

Diplomacy and Russian warnings

Delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are due to meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November. On 8 November the French foreign minister said Europe would also take part in the talks. Russia strongly opposes European troops in Ukraine and has warned that such soldiers would be legitimate targets. Het Parool reports that Vladimir Putin said in October 2026 that such a deployment would mean war with Russia. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting described the force as a real fighting force rather than a hypothetical plan.

Disinformation during Poland's political crisis

Dozens of far-right accounts and some political figures claimed on social media that German and French military contingents were heading to Warsaw to take part in an ongoing coup. According to Le Soir, the convoys seen in those videos were moving southeast toward Nowa Deba, near Rzeszów, to take up quarters there.