UK Troops Support Estonia Against Russian Threat  

BBC

Following the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, Estonia has visibly expressed its distress and fear towards the encroaching threat. As a result tensions have continues to escalate between the Russian Federation and the former Soviet state. In a response from Nato, 120 British soldiers from the Rifles 5th Battalion have arrived in Estonia under the command of Lt Col Mark Wilson.

“It is important for the UK to show solidarity with its Nato allies”, Wilson commented. “Our troops will re-enforce Estonia's existing ones, and help work to enhance their capabilities”.

Described as the largest UK military deployment in Europe since the end of the Cold War, UK defense secretary Sir Michael Fallon has noted an increase in Russian aggression, particularly in the Baltic states.

“We must take a defensive stance” Sir Michael stated, “and work to simultaneously reassure our eastern Nato allies while avoiding any escalation of the issue".

Furthermore, Estonia is not the only recipient of UK support, as Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are set to receive a rotating deployment of 150 UK personnel in the coming months.

Russia has been reported to view this move as a threat, and it is predicted they may utilize fake news and other forms of provocation in retaliation of the deployment, although the full extent of their reaction remains to be seen.