Rzeszow, POLAND – Nearly 5,000 extra American troops have poured into the southeastern cities of Poland on the border with western Ukraine since Russia started amassing tons of of 1000’s of troopers alongside Ukraine’s borders earlier this 12 months.
The motion doubled the variety of NATO troops usually stationed right here and is now the best focus of American forces to maneuver into Poland for the reason that finish of World Struggle II. However the Polish folks have greeted the guests much less as liberators and extra as a welcome curiosity.
Solely small teams of the troopers may very well be seen primarily based close to Rzeszow in camouflaged tent cities within the final week. Many American troops have been staying within the convention middle, often a venue for live shows or occasions however now a de facto army base hidden behind metallic blockades meant to each disguise the troopers’ actions and maintain onlookers out.
However the People are making themselves identified in different methods, particularly as safety tightens and the scenario alongside Ukraine’s japanese, northern and southern borders deteriorate. Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, 435th Air Wing and different divisions are actually positioned throughout the nation on a mission to “deter and guarantee” based on official sources.
The proprietor of a gastropub within the middle of city reported having to go looking your entire city for a replenishment of pork ribs after the American troopers cleaned them out final week. Some native resorts have been fully booked up, whereas a shocking variety of giant buses will be seen parked en masse or driving throughout the area with an American soldier sitting in entrance with presumably many extra within the again.
A brand new pastime for households this month turned going to one of many area’s two airports to get a have a look at the American equipment and manpower arriving each day within the nation.
Safety across the U.S. troop deployment to Poland noticeably tightened within the final week as the scenario in Ukraine deteriorated, with extra fences being put in to dam the troopers’ actions from view and a extra aggressive army police presence to scare away onlookers.
A number of native folks reported listening to and sometimes seeing F-15 jets fly over the town within the final week.
Whereas internet hosting 1000’s of overseas troops might look like a potential menace to some, the American troops seem like largely welcomed within the southeastern area of Rzeszow. As probably the most staunchly conservative and anti-immigrant areas of Poland, the troops could also be seen as saviors within the occasion Ukrainian refugees trying to cross into Poland and instantly into the Rzeszow area.
“Rzeszow doesn’t need migrants right here,” mentioned an area English trainer who spoke on the situation of anonymity for concern of retribution from the neighborhood. “And a few folks assume the People are right here to guard the refugees, which they like as a result of it takes the duty from them,” the trainer mentioned.
