Royal Visit For British Troops 80 Miles From Russian Border

Picture courtesy of @RoyalFamily

The Countess of Wessex has visited British troops deployed in Estonia.

800 soldiers from 5th Battalion, The Rifles, of whom the Countess is Royal Colonel, are now stationed in the country, along with hundreds of British armoured vehicles. 

They've joined troops from France and Denmark, in response to the threat from a resurgent Russia.

Whilst on a Royal visit to the country the Countess spent time at the logistics hub of the Tapa military base. 

The UK is leading NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in the country, as NATO builds up a presence on its Eastern flank.

5 RIFLES are based in the small town of Tapa, where the existing barracks have been upgraded for their stay.

The renovation has upgraded or added classrooms, saunas, and welfare rooms as well as sleeping quarters.

When three years ago Russia annexed Crimea and put its troops in Eastern Ukraine, NATO rapidly decided to send troops and weaponry.

With the Russian border just 80 miles from Tapa, the British deployment sends a message that NATO is strengthening its eastern flank.