In recognition of the strategic importance of the Black Sea region to NATO and its partners, NATO Foreign Ministers decided to enhance practical support to Ukraine related to the Black Sea including cooperation with the Ukraine Navy, situational awareness, port visits, exercises and sharing of information. The CORE 20 TTX was planned as a part of this support with the goal of developing Ukraine’s resilience against hybrid risks and its crisis response capabilities by enhancing inter-agency and civil-military coordination, planning and preparedness. After several postponements due to COVID-19, the event was executed 13-17 September 2021.
CORE20 tabletop exercise was developed with the support of the NATO HQ Political Affairs and Security Policy Division (PASP), NATO HQ Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESC), the Energy Security Centre of Excellence (NATO ENSEC COE) and Cabinet Ministers of Ukraine to contribute the national authorities of Ukraine in building resilience through improved emergency preparedness, planning, prevention, and threat response. Additionally, CORE20 aimed to strengthen Ukraine’s capability to protect critical infrastructure, maritime and cyber domains, and energy systems.
This report focuses largely on syndicate responses to scenario vignettes and injects to include capturing key takeaways – areas of improvement, best practices, and recommendations.