East and West go toe-to-toe: Russian paratroopers deploy to Belarus close to Poland border as UK sends soldiers to strengthen Polish defences and RAF intercept Putin’s bombers over North Sea after US warned Vladimir could invade Ukraine ‘imminently’
Russia and Belarus are carrying out surprise joint paratrooper drills just 20 miles from Polish border today
Belarus said troops will practice capturing bridges and destroying enemy patrols to test ‘combat readiness’
Meanwhile Polish defence minister said British military engineers have arrived at the border to strengthen the defences. The UK currently has 150 troops deployed in Poland as part of NATO missions there
Separately, the White House warned that Putin appears to be preparing for an invasion of eastern Ukraine
