Troops have travelled to Romania and Bulgaria to participate in NATO operation Steadfast Dart, which ministers hope will serve as a valuable proving ground for the British Army

Thousands of British troops have been deployed to Romania and Bulgaria to prepare for a Russian invasion on Nato in the near future. As many as 730 army vehicles and 2,600 personnel will be stationed at the Alliance’s eastern flank as the war in Ukraine nears its third anniversary in February.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to bolstering NATO’s integrated air and missile defence capabilities.

The operation, called Steadfast Dart, comes ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday.

Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard said the UK's participation "demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the alliance and showcases the UK's vital role within it".

Hundreds of army vehicles from the UK have been deployed to Romania as part of a Nato exercise. A total of 730 vehicles have been sent for the first deployment of Nato’s Allied Reaction Force. The vehicles left from ferries at the Sea Mounting Centre in Marchwood,

Army loads hundreds of vehicles on to ships ahead of major Nato exercise - A total of 2,434 UK personnel will also be travelling by truck and plane to Romania.

Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Britain's Ministry of Defence speaks during a news conference after a meeting of defense ministers of five NATO countries to discuss ...

Confirming the UK’s involvement in the exercise earlier this month, armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: “This Government wants the UK to be Nato’s leading European nation.

From left: Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of ... greet each other after a meeting of defense ministers of five NATO countries to discuss coordinating their defense plans and support ...

British troops to hold massive NATO exercise near Russian border. Find out about the tensions and preparations for the wargames.

Strengthening the armed forces and constant surveillance are the main ways to stop adversaries from damaging undersea cables.