NEARLY 300 British troops deployed to Estonia as a deterrent against Russian aggression left RAF Brize Norton yesterday.

The soldiers, all from the Bulford-based 5th Battalion The Rifles, will form part of 800 departing the Oxfordshire base on their way to a mission boosting Nato defences overseas.

It is the UK’s contribution to the largest deployment of Nato troops since the end of the Cold War, designed to reassure the Baltic States and deter aggressors.

Station commander at the base Tim Jones said: “It’s satisfying to know that Brize Norton plays a central role in the employment of UK forces around the world.

“It’s going to become more important to work closely with our allies and as long as that’s the case Brize Norton will be a critical part of these kinds of operations.”

Leading the group of 275 soldiers onto the RAF Voyager Aircraft was commanding officer Lt Col Mark Wilson, who will be commanding a multinational battle group of about 1,100 British, French and Danish soldiers.

He said: “We’ll be integrating into the Estonian defence force with the purpose of enhancing the military capability with the addition of a Nato battle group.

“We will be deterring the Russian adventurism we’ve seen in recent years and the UK, alongside other Nato partners, will be demonstrating a collective will. The activities we have seen conducted by Russia cannot go unnoticed.

“Brize Norton is a really important part of that and the base through which we launch this new mission.”

Conflict in Ukraine, which resulted in the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, saw tensions between Estonia and Russia rise.

The first of the 800 troops left the base last month to set up a UK headquarters for the forces.

UK forces are taking a leading role in Nato’s ‘enhanced forward presence’ operation, which aims to strengthen the alliance's eastern border.

Rifleman Joel Gillett, of Middleton Cheney near Banbury, has been with the Rifles for four months. He is a dismount, a role which involves leaving an armoured vehicle and engaging the enemy in close quarters.

He said: “It’s exciting because it’s my first deployment so I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be interesting getting used to different surroundings and good to work with other countries.”

The troops will spend eight months in Estonia before being replaced as part of a 'long-term commitment' in the region.