Pentagon Places 8,500 U.S. Troops On ‘Heightened Alert’ As Ukraine-Russia Conflict Continues

The Pentagon said on Monday that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has placed 8,500 U.S. troops on "heightened alert" as tension between Ukraine and Russia continue. "As of now, the decision has been made to put these units on higher alert and higher alert only," Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby said. "No decisions have been made to deploy any forces from the United States at this time."