Thousands of U.S. troops deployed to Europe to deter Russia

The United States is deploying thousands of troops to Europe to bolster NATO allies as a massive Russian military buildup continues to threaten Ukraine.

The United States is deploying approximately 2,000 troops to Poland and Germany over the next few days, while 1,000 U.S. troops currently in Germany will be repositioned to Romania, according to a Pentagon fact sheet.

Of the 2,000 U.S. troops heading to Europe, approximately 1,700 are members of the 82nd Airborne Division being sent to Poland.

The 1,000 U.S. troops in Germany being repositioned to Romania are members of a Stryker squadron. “These forces will augment the more than 900 U.S. service members already on regular rotation in Romania,” the fact sheet states.

Additionally, 8,500 U.S. troops remain on “heightened alert” in the event they are called to be part of a rapid NATO response force.

The Pentagon stressed the forces being deployed are not going to fight in Ukraine.

“They are not permanent moves,” the fact sheet states. “They respond to current conditions. We will adjust our posture as those conditions evolve, and we will continue to consult closely with NATO allies to ensure an appropriate collective posture of deterrence and defense.”