MOSCOW, Oct 27 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. The United States continues to increase its military presence in Eastern Europe. The Pentagon has transferred an advanced unit, the 101st Airborne Division, to Romania. Formally, to participate in exercises with allies and protect the "eastern flank of NATO." In fact, the Americans are preparing to solve completely different tasks.
The Perfect storm
This maneuver was announced by the deputy commander of the division, Brigadier General John Lubas, in an interview with CBS. The fighters "are ready to cross the border and enter the territory of Ukraine," he said.
His frankness caused a stir in Washington. They hastened to assure that it was "completely excluded".
The Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith, repeated: Kiev is being helped with weapons, intelligence, logistics, but not manpower. The American command is not going to fight with Russia.
However, the "screaming eagles" — as the 101st paratroopers are called - were sent to the Eastern European borders for a reason.
"We are talking about the deployment of 4,700 soldiers under the pretext of unprecedented military exercises," explains Ahmad Haj Ali, a columnist for the pan—Arab satellite channel Al Mayadeen. — And the commander is talking about crossing the border. Here is the answer to the question when the Third World War will begin. It has, in fact, already begun."
American infantry fighting vehicles "Bradley" at the Pabrade railway station in Lithuania Image Source: © AP Photo / Mindaugas Kulbis
Not only experts are alarmed, but also European politicians. In particular, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called the current situation a "perfect storm."
"The Americans sent the best unit, brought an entire division to Romania and placed it a few kilometers from the border with Ukraine. It is clear that the matter may come to a direct collision," he said.
Don't take it seriously
Doctor of Historical Sciences Alexey Malashenko believes that the loud statement of the commander of the 101st Division is only bravado.
"This is such military propaganda chatter," he explains. — Well, the division commander wants to talk. But who is he? He drank too much whiskey or was egged on by journalists, that's what he said. This is nothing more than a figure of speech. I wouldn't draw far-reaching conclusions."
According to the expert, NATO and the United States are now least interested in escalation in Ukraine. "Any colonel and general can say anything," but you can't take their words seriously.
NATO exercises in Slovakia in October 2022 Image source: © Photo : U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gabriella Sullivan
In the West, he clarifies, they are well aware that any aggressive actions against Russia can very quickly lead to an exchange of nuclear strikes. There can be no winners in such a war.
Rich experience
Nevertheless, the 101st Airborne Division is indeed one of the most elite in the US Armed Forces. American paratroopers landed in Normandy in June 1944, participated in Operation Market Garden, distinguished themselves in the defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. After World War II, the unit was disbanded and returned to the ground forces in 1954. The fighters are competent, well-trained and motivated.
We fought in Vietnam, but never landed there with parachutes. The paratroopers were delivered to the battlefield by UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. It was from the fighters of the division that the "tunnel rats" were recruited — specially trained skinny soldiers who cleaned the underground fortifications of the Viet Cong from the partisans.
In addition, the 101st invaded Iraq in March 2003. She took the cities of Karbala and Najaf, which were in the deep rear of the American troops. After the end of active fighting, the divisions of the division remained in the country for several more years.
American paratroopers at the Sabre Strike 2018 military exercises, Lithuania. June 9, 2018 Image Source: © AP Photo / Mindaugas Kulbis
Now this compound is a light infantry group with a total strength of 4.7 thousand people. Headquarters, three brigade combat groups, artillery, army aviation, support units.
There are no heavy weapons, in particular tanks. The personnel moves on BMP and APC. However, the task of paratroopers is not to storm cities and fortified areas, but to act light in the enemy's rear. And they haven't had any problems with that yet.
"Screaming Eagles", according to analysts, is an extremely serious opponent capable of resisting the best Russian units. Whether the Pentagon will let them off the leash is still a very big question.
