US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the deployment of 3,000 extra troops to Poland in the next few days to reassure NATO members amid rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.

Austin stated that the troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will join the 1,700 soldiers already stationed in Poland.

According to the source, 300 men from the 18th Airborne Corps have already landed in Germany.

According to CNN, this 5,000-strong force "will reassure our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies, deter any possible aggression against their eastern flank, train with host country forces, and contribute to a wide range of contingencies."

The US also strengthened its presence in the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas by deploying more warships.

Despite Washington's promises of expanding diplomatic channels, four Arleigh Burke-class warships have lately arrived in Europe to reinforce NATO.

According to an anonymous defense officer, the USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), and the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) were stationed in the area.

In this background, US Senator Bernie Sanders urged for avoiding a confrontation with Russia over Ukraine at all costs, warning that the repercussions might be catastrophic.

According to Sanders, a battle between Russia, NATO, and the United States would be the bloodiest since World War II.

Sanders went on to say that he is "very concerned" because he is hearing "the same drumbeats in Washington, the bellicose rhetoric that is heightened before each conflict."

"Wars seldom turn out the way experts predict. "Just ask the leaders who painted bright prospects for the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq," he said.