NATO ramps up eastern flank drills amid rising drone activity
Polish analyst Konrad Muzyka highlights a series of NATO exercises in Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, focusing on rapid troop movement, reserve mobilization and drone defence.
Polish military expert Konrad Muzyka points out that NATO's recent activities on its eastern front have received little public attention. He lists six exercises conducted in Latvia, Lithuania and Romania that examine force generation, rapid relocation, reserve use, critical infrastructure protection and counter-drone tactics. Latvia's Namejs 2026, which began in early September, includes thousands of local and allied troops such as the United States, Canada, Estonia and Lithuania, and also involves civilian agencies in defence tasks.
The Oak Projection drill saw roughly 1,700 soldiers practice fast-moving combat units. In the eastern sector, the Amber Blade drill focuses on defending civilian terrain near Latvia's border. Romania's MOBEX NT-SV-BT-26, held in the northeastern counties of Neamț, Suceava and Botoșani, emphasizes reserve mobilisation and governmental and economic preparedness, reflecting a surge in reported Russian drone violations—46 since the war began, with 27 occurring in 2026 and 56 air-alert activations this year.
How this story developed
- Sep 13 Lithuania issues yellow air alert over possible drone sighting
- Sep 13 Public safety instructions were issued following the reported drone sighting.
- Sep 14 A Danish military helicopter was hit by pyrotechnic rounds from a Russian frigate during a routine patrol near Gedser, leading Denmark to summon the Russian ambassador.
- Sep 15 Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed and NATO fighter jets were dispatched to the area.
- Sep 15 Air‑threat warnings for Vilnius, Trakai, Elektrėnai and later the Kaunas region were cancelled.
- Sep 15 No additional official statements have been released since the initial reports.
- Sep 15 NATO fighters shot down the drone.
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