Hundreds of Swedish troops arrive in Latvia to join NATO brigade

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The Swedish military said in a statement that the ship carrying part of a mechanized infantry battalion, escorted by the Swedish Air Force and units of the Swedish and Latvian navies, arrived in the Latvian capital’s port of Riga early Saturday.

They are part of a Canadian-led multinational brigade along NATO’s eastern flank, which Sweden is calling its most important operation to date as part of the Western defense alliance.

Latvia borders Russia to the east and Russia’s ally Belarus to the southeast. Russia’s war against Ukraine has heightened tensions across Central Europe.

The Swedish Armed Forces said the 550-strong force’s mission will contribute to the Alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts and ensure regional stability, and it “represents Sweden’s largest commitment since joining NATO.” said.

Lt. Col. Henrik Rosdahl, commander of the 71st Battalion, said he feels great pride in contributing to the collective defense of the Alliance.

“Today is a historic day, but it is also our new normal,” he said.

Swedish troops have joined one of eight NATO brigades on the alliance’s eastern flank. The battalion is stationed on the outskirts of the town of Adazi, near Riga.

Sweden formally joined NATO in March as the 32nd member of the Transatlantic Military Alliance, a post-World War II country amid growing security concerns in Europe following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. ended decades of neutrality and centuries of widespread non-alignment with the great powers.

Finland also joined NATO in April 2023, abandoning its longstanding military neutrality due to unrest caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the previous year.