In Pictures: The biggest para drop in decades

These elite British Army soldiers are often first into the battle. They are trained to operate behind enemy lines and in the biggest UK airdrop in decades, are exercising in Ukraine

These soldiers are the Pathfinders, they are the eyes and ears of the Brigade. They are often ‘first-in’, days or weeks before the main forces, they are skilled in covert insertion, concealment and intelligence gathering.

In rural Ukraine, only a stone’s throw away from Russia’s border, British Paratroopers have mounted a rapid airborne deployment.

Elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade began landing as part of Exercise Joint Endeavour, with a total of 250 soldiers deploying by air from the UK within 3 days — the biggest deployment of paras in a decade.

This multinational exercise sees the paratroopers take part in joint training alongside their Ukrainian Counterparts, 3rd Battalion the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade.

The aim is to test the ability of the UK to move rapidly to support them should the need arise, providing reassurance to our Ukrainian partners against potential adversaries.

📸Here are the Pathfinders in action:

Members of the Pathfinders relaxed in preparation of a parachute insertion into Ukraine for Exercise Joint Endeavour.

British Paratroopers board their flight to the drop zone

A media officer for 16 Air Assault Brigade, peers through the window of a Hercules C130 as it approaches Ukraine for Exercise Joint Endeavour.

A paratrooper 16 Air Assault Brigade prepares to jump from a C130 Aircraft and parachute into Ukraine.

Paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade prepares to jump from a C130 Aircraft and parachute into Ukraine.

British Paratrooper gives a thumbs up aboard a C130 Aircraft before doing a parachute jump into Ukraine.

Members of the aircrew on board an RAF Hercules C130 plane, whilst on a flight into Ukraine for Exercise Joint Endeavour.

An RAF Parachute Jump Instructor (PJI) checks the parachute equipment fitted to a member of the Pathfinders before a parachute insertion.

A paratrooper 16 Air Assault Brigade prepares to jump from a C130 Aircraft and parachute into Ukraine.

A member of the Pathfinders exits the back of a Hercules C130 aircraft to parachute into Ukraine.

A member of the Pathfinders exits the back of a Hercules C130 aircraft to parachute into Ukraine.

Two Hercules C130 planes fly over the dropzone at Ternivskiy training area, Ukraine.

A member of 23 Parachute Engineers packs his parachute after landing onto the drop zone.

Members of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, Machine Guns Platoon, are in position on the drop zone whilst a Hercules C130 flies over head dropping equipment.

Members of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, Anti-Tanks, are in position on the drop zone whilst a Hercules C130 flies over head dropping equipment.

Paratroopers from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment patrol off the drop zone at Ternivskiy.

A member of The Pathfinders takes a knee while marking the rendezvous point for troops just after a parachute insertion.

A member of the Pathfinders peers out of awoodland at Ternivskiy training area.

A member of the Pathfinders carries out surveillance photography, at Ternivskiy training area.

Members of The Parachute Regiment carry out close quarter battle (CQB) training alongside Ukrainian troops from 3rd Battalion the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade.

Members of The Parachute Regiment carry out close quarter battle (CQB) training alongside Ukrainian troops from 3rd Battalion the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade.

Find out where the UK Armed Forces are deployed here: