NATO drills in Baltics amid fears of Russian attack

Western officials express concern that Russia might launch an offensive against a Baltic nation in the coming years, a move that would severely test NATO's collective defense capabilities. The Baltic Sea, with its strategic waterways and islands, is crucial for the alliance's eastern flank but also vulnerable to Russian incursions. Sweden has warned of potential Russian plans to occupy Gotland, while Bornholm could face hybrid attacks. Russia's heavily militarized Kaliningrad enclave, housing its Baltic Fleet and numerous tactical nuclear warheads, looms large in the region.

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Here we are practicing our ability to come into an environment, establish a camp, and use that hub as a place to project our combat power.

During the large-scale U.S.-led BALTOPS exercise in Latvia, American Marines practiced obstacle breaching with explosives, while Seabees constructed landing ramps and arctic shelters. Lieutenant Cody Robertson highlighted the exercise's purpose: establishing a base to project combat power. The Seabees, renowned for their rapid base construction during World War II, are preparing to build any necessary infrastructure for NATO forces in a conflict zone. This readiness is deemed even more critical following Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO, a direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO makes collective defense and familiarization with the environment here even more important for us," a logistics officer stated, underscoring the enhanced strategic significance of the region. The ability of NATO to swiftly deliver supplies and reinforcements to its eastern flank could prove decisive in the early stages of any conflict with Russia.

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The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO makes collective defense and familiarization with the environment here even more important for us.

However, a former director of Latvia's State Security Service (SAB), Jānis Kažociņš, warned that the Baltic states are considerably more vulnerable than Ukraine. "If you look at the Baltic states, we are much more vulnerable than Ukraine, which is a large country with a lot of redundant energy infrastructure," he explained. This redundancy refers to a nation's capacity to maintain its power grid despite attacks or disasters. Kažociņš stressed that as small nations with limited resources, ensuring robust deterrence is paramount to prevent aggression.

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If you look at the Baltic states, we are much more vulnerable than Ukraine, which is a large country with a lot of redundant energy infrastructure.