NATO leaders previously agreed to ready 300,000 troops for rapid deployment.

The plans are said to include contingencies in case of Russian bombardment, letting troops sweep into the Balkans via corridors in Italy, Greece and Turkey, or towards Russia's northern border via Scandinavia.

NATO already had plans in place for US troops to deploy in the Netherlands before moving towards Poland by train in the event of war.

NATO leaders agreed last year to prepare 300,000 troops to be kept in a state of high readiness to defend the bloc in case of an attack on a member state - just under half the force Napoleon sent to Russia in his disastrous 1812 campaign.

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(Thu-bnail Picture just For Ilustration)