Ninety Canadian soldiers are being deployed to Poland this week as part of Operation REASSURANCE, a training initiative devised due to the Ukrainian crisis.

The troops, the first of 200 Canadian soldiers to be sent to Poland this summer, are from the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG), which is based in Valcartier.

“I am pleased to see this group of soldiers deploying from Valcartier to support our allies,” commented Canada's defence minister Jason Kenney.

“Canada, together with our allies, stands with our Eastern European friends against any intimidation or military aggression,” he added.

Several other NATO member states have contributed soldiers to various exercises in Poland this summer, amid anxiety in the region over the war in Ukraine, with Russian-backed separatists battling the Ukrainian army.

“The Canadian Army trains vigorously year-round to prepare for missions such as Operation REASSURANCE,” said Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army.

“ I am confident our soldiers from the 2nd Canadian Division will continue to proudly represent Canada on the world stage and to build on the successes of the 4th Canadian Division in Central and Eastern Europe.” (nh)



