US to withdraw troops from Polish logistics hub used to supply Ukraine

The United States Army has confirmed it is pulling troops and equipment out of a key logistics hub in Poland that has played a central role in delivering weapons to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Rzeszów, around an hour from Ukraine's border, has served as a crucial transit point for military kit being sent to Kyiv.

Since 2022, shipments through the hub have included 300 Bradley fighting vehicles, 31 Abrams main battle tanks, 10,000 Javelin anti-tank weapons, and 500 million rounds of small arms ammunition.

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The decision to pull back is part of what the US describes as a "broader strategy to optimise US military operations".

But it comes just weeks after President Trump paused US military aid to Ukraine, before lifting the freeze days later, and that delay reportedly left 49 Australian Abrams tanks stuck in transit.

The airport at Rzeszów is not a permanent Polish military base, but has been used extensively by US forces and other Nato allies – including the UK, which has a logistics presence there.

Prince William visited the site in 2023 to meet British troops.

The US began temporary operations at the site in 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Force protection of the hub will now be handed over to Poland and its allies.

In January, Germany deployed two Patriot missile batteries to the airport, possibly anticipating the shift.

Washington says its troops will be redeployed to other parts of Poland.

Following the invasion, the Biden administration sent an additional 20,000 troops to Europe as part of Nato's deterrence and reassurance posture.

The Pentagon has denied reports that Trump is considering withdrawing half of those troops.

The UK currently has 150 troops in Poland as part of Nato's Enhanced Forward Presence.

From 2022 until December last year, around 100 personnel from 7 Air Defence Group were also based at Rzeszów, operating the Sky Sabre anti-aircraft missile system.

The MOD has not yet commented on what the US withdrawal will mean for the British contingent.

For Ukraine, the loss of American logistics personnel on the ground is a significant blow.

Without US troops to process aid shipments, the message is clear – deliveries are slowing.