By Allen Zhong, Epoch Times

The Department of Defense confirmed Saturday that some U.S. troops are leaving Ukraine.

“Secretary of Defense has ordered the temporary repositioning of Florida National Guard troops out of Ukraine,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby wrote in a Twitter post.

The move was ordered to protect the safety and security of U.S. personnel, but the United States is still “committed to our relationship with the Ukrainian armed forces,” he elaborated.

It’s unclear how many military members are being relocated. Some media outlets reported that 160 members of the Florida National Guard are withdrawing from Ukraine. The Epoch Times can not verify the number independently.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

The Pentagon is moving more troops into Eastern Europe to deal with the potential invasion of Ukraine by Russia—which the Pentagon said can happen in days.

About 1,700 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are arriving in Poland, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa said Friday.

“At the invitation of our Polish Allies, approximately 1,700 troops from the division continue to arrive in Poland following a Department of Defense announcement earlier this month directing the deployment of U.S. Soldiers to Europe,” the army command said in a statement. “The unit is deploying to enhance our readiness, strengthen our resilience, and if necessary, defend and secure the NATO Alliance.”

A senior administration official also confirmed on Saturday that an additional 3,000 U.S. forces have been deployed to Poland.

It’s unclear if the 1,700 paratroopers are part of the deployment.

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