RZESZOWJASIONKA (Poland) — Few dozen of the most elite U.S. troops and equipment arrived in southeastern Poland Sunday, near the border to Ukraine. This was following President Joe Biden’s order to send 1,700 soldiers there in fear of a Russian invasion.

Hundreds of additional infantry troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected to arrive at Rzeszow–Jasionka airport. It is located 90 km (56 miles) away from Poland’s border. A few dozen soldiers and vehicles were transported by a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue was their commander, and he was the last American soldier who left Afghanistan on Aug. 30, 2001.

Donahue stated at the airport, “Our contribution here in Poland is our solidarity with all our allies here, Europe”

Mariusz Blaszczak, Polish Defense Minister, praised the deployment in Warsaw. He stated that “deterrence is the best response to Moscow’s aggressive policy and to the aggressive attempt to rebuild the Russian empire.”

Russia has gathered around 100,000 troops at the border of Ukraine for joint military exercises in Belarus. However, Russia insists that it does not intend to invade Ukraine.

Blaszczak stated that a collective response from NATO members is the best way to respond to a threat and the only way to ensure security for Poland and other NATO countries along the alliance’s eastern flank.

He stated that he had held numerous talks with U.S. Secretary Of Defense Lloyd Austin on the subject.

Biden authorized additional U.S. troops to be deployed to Poland and Germany, in order to show allies and foes America’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank in the midst of rising tensions between Russia & Ukraine. NATO’s eastern member Poland borders both Russia & Ukraine. Romania borders Ukraine.

It can deploy quickly within 18 hours and carry out parachute attacks to secure key objectives. The history of the division, which is based in Fort Bragg North Carolina, dates back to 1917.

In preparation for the arrival at the airport of part of the division, U.S. aircraft brought equipment and logistic troops earlier in the week.

According to Maj. Przemyslaw Liczynski, a spokesperson for the Polish Army’s 18th Mechanized Division, Polish soldiers worked previously with the U.S. Division on missions in Iraq or Afghanistan, and they have also trained together.

Since 2017, approximately 4,000 U.S. soldiers have been stationed in Poland on a rotating basis as a security measure in the face Russian military activity.

European officials are concerned that Europe’s energy supply could be at risk in the event of hostilities with Ukraine.