Several thousand US forces put on ‘heightened preparedness’ amid Russia-Ukraine tension

January 24, 2022:

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The United States has heightened the readiness of some 8,500 troops in the United States amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

“The United States is deeply concerned about the current situation in Europe,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said. “We remain keenly focused on Russia’s unusual military activities near the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus, and consulting extensively with our transatlantic allies and partners. The department continues to support diplomatic efforts to deescalate the situation.

“Now, as the president has said, even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness in support of its obligations to the security and defense of NATO and the security of its citizens abroad,” he continued.

“Secretary Austin has placed a range of units in the United States on a heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces if NATO should activate the NRF or if other situations develop. All told, the number of forces that the secretary has placed on heightened alert comes up to about 8,500 personnel.”

Kirby further explained that “no decisions have been made to deploy any forces from the United States at this time.”

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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