Following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's return from a surprise visit to Ukraine, warning "we need to steel ourselves for a long war," the new head of the UK's Army said British troops need to prepare "to fight in Europe once again," meaning that the conflict may expand to include other European countries.

UK Army General Patrick Sanders, who took over from his predecessor on Monday, wrote about the challenges the Army faces, saying “There is now a burning imperative to forge an Army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle."

Furthermore, he added, “We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again."

The Army General also said he is the "first Chief of the General Staff since 1941 to take command of the Army in the shadow of a land war in Europe involving a continental power."

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose to protect the UK by being ready to fight and win wars on land."

Back in 2021, Sanders, the new head of the army, had discussed in detail how the time he spent during the UK's occupation of Iraq and the violence he saw in operations, left him with suicidal thoughts.

“I found myself obsessing about experiences on the tour, dwelling too much on photographs, on video clips, on letters, replaying in my mind what had happened."