Colchester paras take part in joint exercise in Ukraine

More than 200 British paratroopers normally based in Colchester have jumped into Ukraine for a joint exercise, as tensions continue between the eastern European country and Russia.

250 soldiers from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade dropped into the Ternivsky training area where they teamed up with thousands of Ukrainian troops.

The Ministry of Defence said the exercise built on the strong relationship developed between the two nations' armed forces, which provides both countries with "vital experience of deploying rapidly from air to land to counter threats".

Tensions between Ukraine and neighbours Russia have remained high following the annexation of Crimea by Russia six years ago

The conflict continues in war-torn eastern Ukraine as large-scale protests continue to grip neighbouring Belarus, with Russia's President Vladimir Putin previously stating he stands ready to send Russian police into the country if the protests turn violent.

The MoD said British troops have trained more than 18,000 members of the armed forces of Ukraine in the five years since the start of the UK's training mission in the country, Operation Orbital.

The parachute practice forms part of Exercise Joint Endeavour, the first multinational exercise in Ukraine since the country achieved Nato-enhanced opportunity partner status in June, which will see the country work closely with Nato militaries to share best practice.