THE Sun dodged bullet casings and ducked for cover as British troops stormed trenches, forests and buildings in a huge war games exercise only miles from the Ukrainian border.
Senior officers revealed the Steadfast Dart exercise, with 10,000 soldiers from eight NATO armies, was a warning shot to Putin – and troops told us they would be ready to form a peacekeeping force if called upon.
GettyBritish troops take part in huge war games exercises only miles from the Ukrainian border[/caption]
GettyThe Steadfast Dart exercise included 10,000 soldiers from eight NATO armies[/caption]
GettySoldiers demonstrated how they hunt and kill rival soldiers at close range inside World War One-style trenches[/caption]
GettyTactics from the exercise are ‘being used today in modern warfare by countries around the world’[/caption]
Soldiers practised close combat fighting at NATO’s largest drill of the year in Smârdan, eastern Romania – with 3,000 British troops sending a defiant message.
We watched from just a few feet away as the 4th Scottish Regiment, alongside Romanian troops, demonstrated how they hunt and kill rival soldiers at close range inside World War One-like muck trenches and inflatable buildings mimicking enemy fortresses.
Brigadier Andy Watson, of the Allied Reaction Force, said: “The UK and its partners through Operation Interflex have trained over 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
“We’ve learnt an awful lot from the Ukrainian Army through that mission.
“Our soldiers have learned how to fight in trench systems and how it’s being fought right now in Ukraine.
“My engineers have built this complex through working with Ukrainians in the UK on how to better protect our soldiers as well in modern warfare.
GettyTroops told us they would be ready to form a peacekeeping force if called upon[/caption]
GettyThe 4th Scottish Regiment, alongside Romanian troops, demonstrated how they hunt and kill rival soldiers[/caption]
ReutersTroops are said to be ‘very prepared’ if sent to Ukraine[/caption]
GettySoldiers practised close combat fighting in Smârdan, Eastern Romania[/caption]
“There’s multiple benefits to the activity we’re doing here. These tactics are being used today in modern warfare by countries around the world.”
He revealed his troops were “very prepared” if sent to Ukraine, adding: “The goal here is to provide options to ministers if and when required.
“In terms of this brigade’s readiness to conduct a whole range of operations – absolutely, we’re rather well-resourced and part of a well-resourced coalition.”
Cap. Christopher Boyle, who took part in the drills, added: “It’s been good to work with the Romanian armour and increase our own lethality.
“Assaulting trenches has been particularly good too.”
Royal Artillery Lt Col Harry Waller, commanding officer of the Multi-National Fires Group, said: “It sends a message that we’re ready to project multinational force over large distances within days to meet any threat.
“The exercise plan was pre-ordained. There was never any intent to be here with the news that’s going on at the moment.
“But it’s a critical meeting, at this time and place, to really make a statement to any adversary.”
PM Sir Keir Starmer said on Sunday that he would send the British Army should peacekeepers be needed in the aftermath of a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump.
It is believed the UK could send 10,000 personnel – almost one in seven active soldiers – which could arrive just days after a decision is made.
GettyA senior officer said the Nato exercise ‘sends a message’[/caption]
GettyThe exercise was said to be an opportunity to ‘make a statement to any adversary’[/caption]
GettyIt is believed the UK could send 10,000 personnel to Ukraine[/caption]
GettyAlmost one in seven active soldiers would be deployed[/caption]
GettyA commanding officer described the exercise as a ‘critical meeting’[/caption]