Pentagon Puts 8,500 Troops on ‘Heightened Preparedness’ for Deployment Amid Russia-Ukraine Tension

The Pentagon on Monday put 8,500 U.S. troops on “heightened preparedness to deploy” to Eastern Europe amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby made the announcement Monday during a press conference.

When asked if troops would deploy within the next 72 hours, Kirby responded: "Today we're not talking about deployment orders. We have no deployment orders to speak to... I'm just going to leave it at that."

Upon Joe Biden’s orders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would make the call to deploy the troops, Just the News reports.

The thousands of troops include "additional brigade combat teams, logistics personnel, medical support, aviation support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance," Kirby said.

“We’ll continue to provide updates in the coming days about these decisions, but specifically this will ensure that the United States and our commitment to the NRF…is consistent with their readiness for rapid deployment again, if activated," Kirby said.

"The United States is deeply concerned about the current situation in Europe," Kirby said. "We remain keenly focused on Russia's unusual military activities near the Ukrainian border, including in Belarus, and consulting extensively with our transatlantic allies and partners. The department continues to support diplomatic efforts to deescalate the situation.

"Now, as the president has said, even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness in support of its obligations to the security and defense of NATO and the security of its citizens abroad," he continued.