Dozens of US F-15 and F-16 combat aircraft in Poland are part of the exercise. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says the matter has nothing to do with the situation on the eastern border of Ukraine.
These are standard exercises (…). This is not a special reaction to what is happening on the border between Ukraine and Russia or in the Crimea. It is a routine process, which we do constantly. The presence of our troops in Poland is rotational, and it is something we greatly appreciate and commend. It is part of this program, John Kirby said at a press conference.
Earlier on Monday, the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Mario Baszakzak, wrote on Twitter that dozens of F-15 and F-16 combat aircraft flew into Poland as part of the European Air Force transport exercise.
“Today, dozens of F-15s and F-16s have arrived in Poland. @ US_EUCOM (US Military Command in Europe) is practicing rapid air force relocation in Europe using, among other things, Polish airports. By training together, we are … We strengthen the security of our own #StrongerTogether “- Błaszczak Books.
Kirby pointed out that the Russian armed forces near Ukraine are larger now than they were in 2014. A Pentagon spokesman said: “There are certainly more Russian forces than in 2014,” but he declined to give a specific number.
Kirby said, “The United States finds this deployment very disturbing and urges Russia to clarify its intentions.” We do not believe that this concentration of forces serves security and stability along the border with Ukraine, and certainly not in occupied Crimea – he added.
The Russians say this is a drill. The Pentagon spokesman confirmed that it was not clear to us that this was their goal.
