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Britain is sending 800 assault troops to Europe’s border with Russia in the UK’s largest military deployment against Moscow since the Cold War.

An advance spearhead of more than 120 soldiers flew to Estonia to bolster the nation’s defences against the military might of Vladimir Putin.

Backed by 300 armoured vehicles including Challenger 2 tanks, the force will swell to 800 within weeks.

It is part of a huge NATO operation in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to strengthen 700 miles of Eastern Europe’s borders with Russia.

We joined British soldiers, part of the 5 Rifles battle group, as they jetted from RAF Brize Norton, Oxon, to Estonia via Germany.

(Image: Army) (Image: Army) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Army)

The mood was one of calm and focus. Captain Gav Dunlop said: “I’m not really worried if we get into a full tank battle. We are trained and ready.”

Troops landed at Amari air base near the capital Tallinn, and will be sent to Tapa army base, which blocks the main route from Russia to the city.

In total there will be more than 4,000 international troops pitted against a Russian attack in the four countries.

(Image: Army) (Image: Army) (Image: Army)

The NATO deployment is designed to ensure there is no repeat of Russia’s overnight takeover of Crimea and parts of East Ukraine.

Britain will lead a foreign force of 1,100 troops, including French and Danish soldiers, in Estonia.

The US, Canada and Germany will each take lead roles in one of the three other nations. UK troops will also support the US in Poland.

(Image: Army)

(Image: Army) (Image: Army)

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “In the face of an increasingly assertive Russia, NATO is stepping up its commitment to collective defence.”

Troops have been warned to expect Russian espionage as Putin wants to discredit NATO’s presence by spreading lies about sex crimes and violence.

Some women in bars may be honey traps. L/Cpl Josef Hainzl, of Runcorn, Che­sh­­ire, said: “I have a beautiful RAF girlfriend so it’ll be a ‘no, thanks’.”

(Image: Army)

We must stand up to this bully

By Chris Hughes

Britain is playing a crucial role in restraining Vladimir Putin’s ruthless and often violent ambitions abroad.

It is a calculated preventative move along with NATO to show him the West has had enough, and that his relentless bid to expand Russia’s hold on its neighbours must stop.

UK troops are prepared to open fire as they are now at the sharp end of a confrontation that has been brewing in eastern Europe and beyond throughout the Putin years.

(Image: Army)

He has stormed Georgia, annexed Crimea and infiltrated East Ukraine. His forces are suspected of atrocities against civilians and western-friendly rebels in Syria.

The Baltic states are extremely vulnerable to Russian interference. Putin’s spooks are suspected of meddling in foreign elections and his cyber attacks have done incalculable damage throughout eastern Europe.

Moscow has kept our own GCHQ and MI5 on their toes with cyber attacks on our infrastructure, banking and security systems.

(Image: Army)

Sanctions have not worked in efforts to hold back Putin’s greed for power, influence, resources, and the fear of other nations. So the pressure has to be ramped up.

Our military presence is the next step in trying to stop war since, with Putin, non-intervention has not worked.

As I witnessed in 2014, he annexed Crimea almost overnight and triggered civil war in East Ukraine, while lying to the world about having troops there.

Putin respects strength and action. That is what our troops are exporting to Estonia.