Deep breath, people:

Thousands of American soldiers have been deployed to Poland amid rising tensions with Russia.

Poland’s Prime Minister welcomed the troops today – which US security officials said would “deter and defend” during their deployment.

Around 4,000 soldiers have been sent to Poland as part of an operation intended to boost ties with America’s NATO allies – including Poland.

The move is also meant to be a show of force to Vladimir Putin’s Russia, especially giving the country’s suspected interference in America’s presidential election.

Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said today: “It’s a great day today when we can welcome, here in Zagan, American soldiers who represent the best, the greatest army in the world.”

Major General Timothy McGuire of the US Land Forces in Europe team said the thousands of soldiers would “stand united on Polish soil to deter and defend”.

He said the deployment was a “concrete sign of the continued US commitment to the defense of Poland and the NATO alliance.”