Why are British Troops in Chernarus?

As tensions between Livonia and Chernarus reach a boiling point, the presence of British forces inside Chernarus operating alongside has sparked international attention. But for London and Livonia, this deployment is part of a long-standing, if quiet, defense relationship dating back to the early 1990s.

Following Livonia’s departure from the Soviet Union, the UK and Livonia signed the Blackwood Security Accord (1993), a bilateral agreement that committed both nations to intelligence sharing, counterterrorism cooperation, and military assistance in the event of external threats. British officials now cite this treaty as the legal foundation for their current presence.

Livonia, in turn, provided covert logistical and intelligence support to UK forces during operations in the Middle East in the early 2000s, a fact only declassified in recent years. Officials in London describe the Livonians as a “trusted regional partner” with shared values and a vested interest in regional stability.

Currently, British forces are conducting counter-insurgency (COIN) operations alongside Livonian units near the contested Chernarus border, focusing on surveillance and disruption of suspected Chernarussian-backed militias. In addition, the UK has been providing real-time aerial reconnaissance updates from RAF platforms operating in regional airspace, assisting LDF in preempting hostile movements.

Downing Street maintains that this deployment is “preventative, not provocative,” aimed at preserving the security of a democratic ally, though Moscow continues to view it as a provocation.