British soldiers ‘absolutely ready’ to be deployed in Ukraine, says army officer

British troops are “absolutely” ready to be deployed as peacekeepers in Ukraine, a senior Army officer has told the Express.

Sir Keir Starmer divided opinion after revealing he would be willing to put boots on the ground in Ukraine.

But Brig Andy Watson, who is commanding NATO’s new Allied Reaction Force (ARF) land brigade, is confident his troops are ready “if and when required”.

Speaking from the Smardan training area in eastern Romania, less than 20 miles from the Ukrainian border, he said: “Our job here is to provide options to ministers.

“I can’t comment on what the force package would look like inside Ukraine, if there is to be one, but in terms of this brigade’s readiness to conduct the whole range of military operations, absolutely.

“We’ve trained very well, we’re well-resourced and clearly, in this construct, we’re part of a well-resourced coalition.”

More than 3,000 British soldiers rehearsed reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank against a potential Russian attack as part of the alliance’s biggest war games this year.

Exercise Steadfast Dart is the first deployment of the new ARF, which is the alliance’s first responders to any threat.

The drills, conducted in sub-zero conditions, have included trench warfare, artillery fire and armoured vehicle manoeuvres.

Brig Watson said the deployment has been successful and proves the force is “agile, responsive and capable”.

Lt Col Harry Waller, Commanding Officer 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, said the deployment across Europe to eastern Romania shows the British Army can lead from the front in NATO while sending a message to Russia that “we’re ready”.

He added: “The reaction force here are absolutely ready and we’ll always present our commanders with options. We’re able to project at pace and we [and the other nations] are ready.”

Lt Col Gordon Muir, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, which forms a significant part of the British troops on the deployment, even suggested the UK could be used to lead a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

He said: “I’m absolutely certain that UK defence is in a position to lead whatever force would be required.”

Other soldiers from across the ranks did not express any concerns at the prospect of being sent to the war-torn nation.

They suggested they did not join the Army to be stuck behind a desk and are prepared to be deployed if that is decided.

Cpl Richard Gillin said it could be a “new challenge for everyone” and a “good thing” to support Ukraine.

“That’s what we sign up for,” he added.

For Highlander Evan Wilson and Highlander Lewis Warren, at 18 years old they are among the youngest here and it is their first overseas deployment.

At the prospect of going to Ukraine, Highlander Wilson, from Bradford, said: “100%, yeah. It’s part of the job.”

Highlander Warren, from St Helens, added he was “happy” to go to Ukraine.

The exercise, which has in total featured more than 1,500 military vehicles and 10,000 troops from eight nations, including Romania, France, Spain and Greece, has demonstrated the ARF’s ability to rapidly deploy across Europe.