British troops could fire on Russian forces if they come under attack in Ukraine while operating as peacekeepers, Western officials have said.

Western troops deployed to Ukraine could return fire in self-defence if confronted by Moscow’s forces, though any such threat would more likely come from drones than direct gunfire.

This is because any such peacekeeping mission would only enter the country after Russia’s war in Ukraine had ended and peace had been established.

As a result, British troops would be unlikely to come into direct contact with Russian forces, with any threat more likely to come from long-range drone attacks.

With peace established, the force named the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) would then be welcomed into the country under Ukraine’s invitation.

It comes as 300 soldiers from the British Army’s 7 Brigade are set to deploy to Poland this month to rehearse how they could one day support Ukraine if and when the war ends.

Meanwhile, as diplomatic efforts to end the war gather pace, the Kremlin confirmed today that Russia will hold three-way peace talks with Ukraine and the United States this month.

The drill is the first of its kind for the MNF-U, which is led by the UK and France and is the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing group of nations.

Tom Cotterill, Daily Mail UK