Europe on war-footing: Britain sends tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War as Putin practises for nuclear war with test launch of a new missile

Europe on war-footing: Britain sends tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War as Putin practises for nuclear war with test launch of a new missile

Britain is preparing to send up to 800 troops to Estonia in the spring

Drones and Challenger 2 tanks to be sent for 'reassurance and deterrence'

Comes as Russia completed nuclear drills for 40 million of its citizens

NATO wants allies to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War

By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

Published: 06:51 EST, 26 October 2016 | Updated: 13:53 EST, 27 October 2016


Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War.

The soldiers will be sent to the Eastern European country and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

It comes a day after Russia unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile - Satan 2 - which is capable of obliterating the UK.

Yesterday, Putin also reportedly launched an RS-18 ballistic missile, understood to be a test to see if it could defeat US defence systems.

And today, 130 military centres were put on high alert in Russia and six surrounding countries for drills on the region's ability to respond to attacks from the West.

The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe's ex-Soviet states.

France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones.

Tensions are high between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders.

Last week Putin sent an aircraft carrier on a bombing mission to Syria in a fleet that passed through the English Channel. In the past week, Britain has deployed RAF fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers nearing UK airspace twice in four days.

Earlier this month the Kremlin evacuated 40 million people in drills to prepare for nuclear war.

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Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Russian president Vladimir Putin is pictured today in the Black Sea resort of Yalta
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Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Russian president Vladimir Putin is pictured today in the Black Sea resort of Yalta
France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones
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France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones
Pictures have emerged showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens
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Pictures have emerged showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens
Video shows men in gas masks entering buildings as part of the chilling exercise drill
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Video shows men in gas masks entering buildings as part of the chilling exercise drill

Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mr Fallon said: 'I am confirming details today of our deployment as part of the forward presence in Estonia next year, a full sized British battalion with light armour, Challenger 2 tanks, Warriors vehicles, French and Danish companies in support. That deployment will begin next spring [May].'

He also confirmed plans for 'the first ever deployment of RAF Typhoons to the Black Sea Region as part of southern air policing next year in Romania.'

'I hope this will provide reassurance for that entire region, certainly in Romania, Bulgaria, Black Sea generally and including Turkey.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3874464/Europe-war-footing-Britain-sends-tanks-drones-800-troops-Estonia-biggest-military-build-Russia-s-borders-Cold-War-response-Putin-s-war-mongering.html#ixzz4OUZCkMCG
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