UK troops based near Ełk to deter spillover from Ukraine
Mar 22nd 2026 · Poland
Around 150 soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment are based near Ełk for six months to provide reconnaissance, anti-tank and sniper capabilities and to strengthen NATO’s eastern frontier against spillover from the Ukraine conflict.
- 150 Royal Anglian soldiers are deployed near Ełk in northern Poland about 40 miles from the Russian border and 160 miles north of Ukraine.
- Their six-month mission is to deter the conflict in Ukraine and respond if it threatens NATO territory.
- The unit conducts intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ahead of US and Polish forces and trains with Romanian and Croatian troops.
- Training includes anti-tank exercises using a javelin simulator and specialist sniper tasks.
- Operations are complicated by local wildlife hazards such as moose, elk and packs of wolves.
- Some soldiers have local connections, including a Polish-born private serving with the regiment.