European Peacekeepers Could Return Fire Against Russian Forces in Ukraine After Ceasefire

British troops and other European forces deployed to Ukraine after a future ceasefire would be allowed to return fire if attacked by Russian forces, The Guardian reported on November 3.

The planned Anglo-French-led stabilization force would operate outside NATO and is expected to rely almost entirely on European capabilities, including communications systems that do not depend on US technology such as Starlink.

The decision to avoid reliance on Starlink comes after October Starshield restrictions disrupted Ukrainian drone operations, including missions involving interceptor drones used against jet-powered Russian Shahed drones. Ukrainian forces were forced to cancel or curtail some operations after connections began dropping on fast-moving systems. The restrictions were later fully lifted, restoring high-speed Starshield connectivity in Ukraine.

“Clearly we will protect our forces against any aggression,” an official familiar with the plans told The Guardian, while emphasizing that any engagement would be “defensive in nature.”

The UK and France are preparing Exercise Koalicja in Poland later this month to rehearse a rapid multinational deployment to Ukraine if hostilities end. The exercise will involve 2,800 personnel from 11 countries, including 1,500 French troops and 300 British troops.

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Lt. Gen. Tom Bateman, commander of the planned force, stated that participating countries were committed “to providing robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine following a cessation of hostilities.” The force would also help rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s military while deploying away from the front line, according to The Guardian.

Its rules of engagement would allow European troops to defend themselves against Russian drone attacks. The wider mission could also include fighter patrols to help reopen Ukrainian commercial airports and a Turkish-led effort to clear mines from the Black Sea.

One official told The Guardian, “We are not dependent on US systems,” when asked whether the mission would rely on Starlink communications.

The deployment planning comes amid broader military coordination between Ukraine and its Western partners. In October, military representatives from all 32 NATO member states visited Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s military leadership on battlefield priorities, preparedness, and further support.

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