Germany has deployed troops near the borders of Russia for the first time since World War II.

The headquarters of the 45th Panzer Brigade of the Bundeswehr has officially opened near Vilnius. Brigade commander Brigadier General Christoph Huber noted that their mission is to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of Lithuanian allies, as well as to defend NATO territory. According to the plan, the brigade is to be combat-ready by 2027 and will have a permanent presence of up to 5,000 soldiers, reports The Moscow Times.

Germany has deployed a combat unit on a permanent basis near the Russian borders for the first Time in 80 years. Before this, Bundeswehr operations abroad were conducted temporarily. However, in 2023, Germany and Lithuania agreed to base a German brigade in Lithuania to help repel the initial strike of Russian troops due to Russia's growing aggressiveness in the Baltic Republic.

Currently, about 150 Bundeswehr servicemen are in Lithuania under the command of Huber, and their number is expected to increase to 500 by the end of the year. Experts and politicians state that Russia may be preparing to attack NATO countries in a few years, especially if the war in Ukraine ends. According to the peace agreement, Russia may gain the opportunity to rearm and prepare its army for conflict with NATO.

For the past 20 years, German soldiers have participated in international missions, provided security, advised authorities, and conducted training in other countries. Now, as part of NATO's defense, German troops will patrol and protect the airspace of the Baltic states and Romania. They will also participate in missions in Lithuania.