NATO is planning to create expeditionary force of at least 10,000 personnel from seven countries to bolster its power as tensions rise with Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, a report said on Saturday.

NATO is planning to create expeditionary force of at least 10,000 personnel from seven countries to bolster its power as tensions rise with Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, a report said on Saturday.

“Britain and six other states are to create a new joint expeditionary force of at least 10,000 personnel to bolster Nato’s power in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Financial Times reported.

The force will incorporate air and naval units as well as ground troops and will be led by British commanders, with other participating nations contributing a range of specialist troops and units. Countries involved at present include Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway and the Netherlands. Canada has also expressed an interest in taking part, the report said.

FT noted that the announcement of the force’s creation is expected next week by British Prime Minister David Cameron in his position as host of the biennial Nato summit in Wales, on September 4th.

Many specifics have yet to be worked out or announced, but planners are reportedly implementing ways to increase the number of soldiers involved even more if necessary.

As noted by the Times, the creation of the force comes as a response to Russia’s involvement in the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, with the ultimate goal being to “create a fully functioning, division-sized force for rapid deployment and regular, frequent exercises.” NATO has accused Russia of deploying more than 1,000 troops into Ukraine to bolster separatists in the eastern part of the country.

Russia, however, insists that it does not have troops operating inside of Ukraine and has dismissed NATO’s assertions.