German Military Forces Beef-up Eastern Europe’s Border with Russia

 German-led military training exercises are taking place in Lithuania as NATO forces look to increase their capabilities in the Region. Bordering Russia, the Baltic States are wary due to Moscow’s illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea, and support for separatist militants in Ukraine’s East. The German-led Group is a part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group.

Manpower wasn’t the only thing tested during the exercises. Germany also sent hundreds of military vehicles to Lithuania for the training.

The Battle Group joined a United States-led deployment in Poland, British-led troops in Estonia and Canadian-led troops in Latvia, all with the goal of supporting rotating groups of U.S troops. The moves have increased NATO’s presence in the region to levels unprecedented since the Cold War.