US puts 8,500 troops on alert to back NATO forces; Russia concerned

Kremlin accuses Washington of fuelling tensions, calls it Western 'hysteria'

The US is putting as many as 8,500 troops on heightened alert for deployment to bolster NATO forces in Eastern Europe if needed as Russian troops mass on Ukraine’s borders, according to the Defense Department.

“It’s very clear that the Russians have no intention right now of de-escalating,” so it makes “prudent sense” to give U.S. military personnel time to prepare if NATO activates its Response Force along the alliance’s eastern flank, Defense Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday at the Pentagon. 

Meanwhile, Russia said on Tuesday it was watching with great concern after the United States put 8,500 troops on