The first American troops arrived in Latvia, which borders directly on Russia NATO strengthens its eastern flank after Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine.
Early on Thursday, a small number of 40 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the Heavenly Soldiers, arrived in Latvia from their home base in Italyconfirmed by the US Embassy in Riga.
The deployment is part of a movement of 800 US troops and equipment in the Baltic states – the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which are now part of the NATO alliance.
President Joe Biden he said the movement was defensive and that the United States “has no intention of fighting Russia.”
In fact, the small size of the Baltic forces is strategically insignificant at the military level, but it seems intended to reassure NATO allies and serve as a “conduit” that ensures an immediate US military response to any aggression against the Baltic states.
However, the deployment of US troops in the Baltic states, which all share borders with Russia, is sure to infuriate Putin, who has long urged NATO to withdraw allied forces from Eastern Europe.
Early on Thursday, a small force of 40 servicemen from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the Heavenly Soldiers, arrived in Latvia from their home base in Italy, the US Embassy in Riga confirmed.
The deployment is part of a movement of 800 US troops and equipment in the Baltic states – the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which are now part of the NATO alliance.
Biden said the troop movement was defensive and that the United States “has no intention of fighting Russia.”
The Latvian Ministry of Defense praised the deployment of US troops in a statement, saying it demonstrated “the US commitment to protect NATO allies and strengthen Latvia’s defense capabilities”.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said they “condemn in the strongest possible way Russia’s open large-scale aggression against an independent, peaceful and democratic Ukraine.”
The Baltic foreign ministers called for the toughest possible sanctions against Russia, including severing ties with the international banking system, as well as providing arms and financial assistance to Ukraine.
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Latvian Deputy Prime Minister Artis Pabriks said in an interview this week that if Latvia had not been a member of NATO, “we would definitely be in Ukraine’s position now, I can guarantee that.”
President Joe Biden announced the movement of US troops in the Baltic states on Tuesday as part of a broader strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank, saying the force would help strengthen borders and treat refugees, but would not intervene militarily in Ukraine. where Russia starts all-invasion early on Thursday.
The 934th Air Wing of the United States Air Force arrives on the runway in Riga, Latvia on February 24, 2022.
US Air Force C-130H aircraft carrying US troops seen on arrival at Riga International Airport
The United States has pledged to protect NATO allies and strengthen Latvia’s defense capabilities following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. More than 300 US troops are expected to be transferred to Latvia
Biden said the US military movement was defensive and that the United States “has no intention of fighting Russia.”
US troops stand on runway at Riga International Airport when they arrive in Latvia on Thursday
US Deputy Chief of Mission Ruta Elvikis congratulates US troops, part of 800 forces stationed in the Baltic states
“I have allowed additional movements of American forces and equipment already deployed in Europe to strengthen our Baltic allies – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,” Biden said.
“Let me be clear: these are completely defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia, “he added.
“However, we want to send an unmistakable message that the United States, together with our allies, will defend every inch of NATO territory and honor our commitments to NATO,” Biden said.
The Pentagon says the deployment of Baltic troops is part of a wider redeployment of equipment and equipment that will strengthen NATO allies near the war in Ukraine and near the border with Russia.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved the relocation of up to eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Germany to undiscovered operational sites on NATO’s eastern flank.
Twenty AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will also be deployed from Germany in the Baltic region, and 12 Apache helicopters will be relocated from Greece to Poland.
“These additional personnel are repositioning themselves to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO member states and train with the host country’s forces,” Defense Ministry officials said in a written statement.
Two of the first 40 soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the US Army are seen in Riga after getting off a military plane
US troops stand on runway at Riga International Airport when they arrive in Latvia on Thursday
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has approved the relocation of up to eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Germany to undiscovered operational sites on NATO’s eastern flank. Pictured: F-35 flies over Germany on Wednesday
All forces are under the command of Air Force General Todd D. Walters, Commander of the European Command. Authorities said the moves were temporary.
The Pentagon says the moves are the latest in a series designed to reassure frontline states.
The United States has already sent 1,000 troops from Germany’s Stryker Squadron to Romania.
A combat team of an infantry brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division of about 3,000 people will be deployed from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Poland, joining the approximately 1,700 U.S. troops already there.
Stryker-sized units will be located in Hungary and Bulgaria. Austin has also ordered 8,500 troops to be on high alert if NATO activates its rapid reaction force.
In total, there are about 90,000 US troops currently based in Europe.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has triggered shock waves, especially in the Baltic states, which are former Soviet states and are likely targets for Putin’s ambition to create a buffer zone between NATO and Russia.
The Lithuanian president has declared a state of emergency, and Latvia has suspended licenses to broadcast several Russian televisions accused of spreading misinformation and propaganda.
All three Baltic states were captured and annexed by Joseph Stalin during World War II, before regaining independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Russia’s attack has reached Ukraine on all fronts, with bombs and missiles hitting targets across the country, ground forces fleeing Belarus, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, and paratroopers dropping on Kharkiv
Shock helicopters are depicted flying over the Kiev region of Ukraine after dozens of Russian planes attacked the city
Ukrainian security forces escort a wounded man after an air strike on a residential complex in Chukhuyev, Kharkov
They joined NATO in 2004, placing themselves under the military protection of the United States and its Western allies. Ukraine is not part of NATO.
The escalating tensions ahead of Thursday’s attack brought back memories of mass deportations and oppression for Baltic people.
“My grandparents were sent to Siberia. My father was persecuted by the KGB. I now live in a free democracy, but it seems that nothing can be taken for granted, “Jaunius Kazlauskas, a 50-year-old teacher in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, told the AP.
Along with Poland, which is also a member of NATO, the small Baltic states were among the loudest advocates of powerful sanctions against Moscow and NATO reinforcements on the alliance’s eastern flank.
“The battle for Ukraine is a battle for Europe. If Putin is not stopped there, he will go further, “Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis warned at a joint news conference with US Secretary of Defense Austin last week.