Britain is sending 800 assault troops to Europe’s border with Russia in the UK’s largest military deployment against Moscow since the Cold War.
An advance spearhead of more than 120 soldiers flew to Estonia to bolster the nation’s defenses against the military might of Vladimir Putin.
Backed by 300 armoured vehicles including Challenger 2 tanks, the force will swell to 800 within weeks.
It is part of a huge NATO operation in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to strengthen 700 miles of Eastern Europe’s borders with Russia.
The mood was one of calm and focus. Captain Gav Dunlop said: “I’m not really worried if we get into a full tank battle. We are trained and ready.”
Troops landed at Amari air base near the capital Tallinn, and will be sent to Tapa army base, which blocks the main route from Russia to the city.
In total there will be more than 4,000 international troops pitted against a Russian attack in the four countries.
The NATO deployment is designed to ensure there is no repeat of Russia’s overnight takeover of Crimea and parts of East Ukraine.
Britain will lead a foreign force of 1,100 troops, including French and Danish soldiers, in Estonia.
The US, Canada and Germany will each take lead roles in one of the three other nations. UK troops will also support the US in Poland.
Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “In the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, NATO is stepping up its commitment to collective defense.”
Troops have been warned to expect Russian espionage as Putin wants to discredit NATO’s presence by spreading lies about sex crimes and violence.
Source: UK Mirror
0Femi Ashekun/ The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday presented Adesola Adeyinka, CEO…
Segun Atanda/ Former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon E. Arase, CFR, has expressed deep…
Kola Kehinde/ The TED movement, launched in 1984, has transformed from a small gathering of…
Editor/ A 15-year-old boy in Russia has reportedly been taken into custody after police say…
Pat Stevens/ Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver, has publicly apologised to a politician who allegedly…
Malik Yahya/ The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC JV)—operator of the NNPC…