Pentagon Puts 8,500 Troops on Alert for Deployment

According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, as many as 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the prepare to deploy orders at the direction of President Biden which is the latest step the United States has taken to prepare for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kirby said that the bulk of U.S. troops placed on heightened alert were intended to bolster NATO’s quick response force but added that they would be ‘postured to be ready for any other contingencies as well.’