UK refuses to name Army units for Ukraine force

The Ministry of Defence has declined to identify which British Army units have been allocated to the multinational force being prepared for Ukraine, citing operational security risks around any future deployment.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked the department to identify the Army units allocated to the force, referring to the Government’s 24 July announcement that the UK had taken command of the multinational force for Ukraine.

Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: “Whilst planning continues at pace, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.”

The multinational force is being planned as part of preparations for security arrangements in Ukraine should hostilities cease. The Government has continued discussions with Kyiv, France and other partners over what support could be provided in those circumstances.

Sandher-Jones said: “The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagements with Ukraine, France and other partners on Ukraine-related security in the event of a cessation of hostilities.”

She added: “This government is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces remain ready to respond to all challenges, including deployment to Ukraine.”

The Government announced in July that the UK had taken command of the multinational force planning effort for Ukraine. Since then, ministers have continued to avoid publishing detailed force structures while military planning remains under way. Obese-Jecty’s question sought to establish whether specific British Army units had already been allocated to the force. The MOD did not confirm individual units and also declined to provide information on force levels, participating nations or assets.