Amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West regarding Ukraine, a U.S. intelligence report indicated that Russia is accelerating its preparations for an invasion of Ukraine, as reported by American media. The report predicted the fall of Kyiv within two days.
**Arrival of U.S. Reinforcements in Poland**
Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced the arrival of additional military reinforcements in Poland to reassure allies concerned about the Russian-Ukrainian tensions. On Saturday, the military revealed that General Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, had arrived in Poland.
Matt Visser, spokesperson for the 18th Airborne Corps to which the division belongs, stated that "our corps' presence aims to enhance the existing U.S. forces in Europe and demonstrates our commitment to our allies and partners in NATO." He added that the 18th Corps includes seasoned combat troops "ready to enhance the alliance's ability to deter and defeat Russian aggression."
**Polish Army Statement**
A spokesperson for the Polish army, Brgenislaw Lechinski, told AFP, "The first soldiers arrived at the Yasionka airport" in the southeast of the country, adding that the bulk of the American battalion, consisting of 1,700 soldiers, would arrive "soon." He noted that logistical preparations "began last week," and on Saturday, a plane carrying soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division landed in Yasionka.
**3,000 Additional Soldiers**
The United States had announced on Wednesday the deployment of an additional 3,000 American soldiers to Eastern Europe to defend NATO countries "from any aggression" amid diplomatic efforts to persuade Moscow to withdraw its amassed troops at the Ukrainian border. These new American forces join 8,500 soldiers that President Joe Biden put on heightened alert at the end of January to be deployed in NATO's rapid response force if necessary.
The West has accused Moscow since late 2021 of amassing thousands of soldiers at the Ukrainian border in preparation for a potential invasion, which Russia denies, asserting that it is only seeking to ensure its security.
