US troops traveled through the Czech Republic to Slovakia to participate in a planned NATO exercise

The first part of the planned contingent of 2,000 US troops and several hundred vehicles arrived in the Czech Republic from Germany for the NATO military exercise Saber Strike. It is reported by Reuters, citing its sources. The exercises themselves will be held in Slovakia.

According to the agency, the alliance begins large-scale military exercises in Eastern Europe against the background of the concentration of Russian troops near the borders of Ukraine. The Baltic countries, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany will take part in Saber Strike.

In total, about 2,000 American servicemen and 700 units of military equipment will be involved in the exercises. From Slovakia, 1,300 soldiers will join the maneuvers. The Slovak part of the exercise will take place near Zvolen, which is about 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

Earlier, The Washington Post, citing officials and analysts, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending “mixed signals” about his readiness to invade Ukraine, since these actions are aimed not only at preparing an offensive, but also at stopping any attempts by the United States and NATO to interfere. .

By conducting major exercises near its western borders, the WP observer believes the Russian armed forces are trying to “scare off” the West if the proposed invasion takes place.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in turn, said that the alliance sees no signs of a de-escalation of the situation around Ukraine and will continue to denounce Russia’s “aggressive plans”. At the same time, NATO could not say how many Russian forces are located near the border of Ukraine.