WW3 fears explode as EU country bracing for Russian attack - 'Not a political symbol'

Germany is bracing for a possible Russian attack on NATO's eastern flank (Image: Getty)

An EU country has stationed some of its forces in Lithuania, one of the Baltic countries making up a key part of the NATO's eastern flank, as fears of a future Russian attack on Europe grow. Germany deployed two combat battalions of the Bundeswehr on January 29 as it gradually builds up its forces in the country. 

Gerald Funke, head of the Bundeswehr's Support Command, said Germany could be drawn into a conflict through the brigade if Russia launches a large-scale attack on the Baltic States, but stressed that this is the worst-case scenario. This would result in tens of thousands of alliance troops being deployed through German ports and transport routes, he added.

A military official said Germany could be dragged into a conflict. (Image: Getty)

Most of the troops will be stationed in Rūdninkai, but there will be a separate combat unit made up of eight other NATO countries on rotation. The wil be based in Rukla, central Lithuania.

German federal defence minister Boris Pistorius said the number of Berlin's troops in Lithuania is now around 1,800, and he wants to bring this figure to 4,800 by 2027.

He said: "We are on schedule. The brigade is growing and training on the ground. 2026 will be a year of particularly intensive training activity with strong German participation.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Lithuanian friends once again for their extraordinary reliability and determination in building the infrastructure for our brigade."