These images show British tanks taking part in a NATO live fire exercise in Latvia as the Allies show off their firepower.
The footage shows a number of NATO main battle tanks flying the national flags of their respective countries, including the United Kingdom, taking part in live-fire exercises in the Baltics.
NATO said that 34 teams from 13 NATO countries took part in exercise Iron Spear in Latvia from 14th to 17th November.
The annual exercise had a special meaning this year, after Russia invaded Ukraine, with NATO no doubt keen to show the Allies to be a united, cohesive force.
NATO said on 21st November: “[…] this regularly scheduled armoured gunnery competition saw a number of multinational crews currently deployed across the Baltic Sea region. At the Adazi range, 34 teams from 13 Allied member states demonstrated their excellence in whatever fire mission they were given.”
The images were obtained from NATO on Thursday, 24th November, along with a short statement saying: “How many NATO members’ flags can you spot? 34 teams from 13 NATO countries took part in exercise Iron Spear in Latvia, testing the mobility and cooperation of allied armed forces in a firepower demonstration. Together we are stronger.”
And NATO Battlegroup Estonia had said in a statement on 21st November: “The pre-deployed battle group of the Allies participated in the exercise in Latvia with two Challenger 2 tanks, two Warrior combat vehicles, two Leopard tanks and two CV90 combat vehicles.
“The tactical manoeuvre organised in the exercise and the firepower used clearly show the strength of NATO on the north-eastern wing of the alliance.”
The statement added that the “Battlegroup deployed 2 x Challenger 2 tanks, 2 x Warriors, 2 x Leopard Tanks and 2 x CV90s on the Exercise in Latvia.
“The tactical manoeuvre and demonstration of firepower clearly show the strength of NATO on the Northeast flank.” (sic)
NATO Battlegroup Estonia had previously said in a statement dated 18th November: “34 teams from 13 NATO countries have been putting their armour and firepower to the test on exercise IRON SPEAR in Latvia.
“Vehicle recognition, target identification, live fire and manoeuvrability are all key to the training and readiness of the combined arms Battlegroups across the Baltic states.
“A tremendous display of NATO’s combined capabilities and strengths held at Readiness in North-East Europe.”
NATO said in its 21st November statement: “Held since 2018, Iron Spear is designed to improve cohesion and interoperability across the eFP [Enhanced Forward Presence] Battlegroups in the Baltic States and Poland while simultaneously showcasing NATO’s firepower. In addition to the Main Battle Tank and Infantry Fighting Vehicle competitions, the event saw a daytime and a night-time firepower demonstration.
“All in all, the Adazi range hosted armoured crews from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.”
NATO added: “Throughout all its iterations, Iron Spear has strengthened NATO’s mobility, force projection and cooperation across the Baltic Sea region with a strong focus on interoperability — the cornerstone of the Alliance’s collective deterrence and defence against any adversary.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 275th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 25th November, Russia had lost about 86,150 personnel, 2,899 tanks, 5,844 armoured combat vehicles, 1,895 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,553 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,404 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Petro Kotin, the head of the Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, has said that Moscow is risking a nuclear catastrophe after all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants were disconnected from the main power grid for the first time in 40 years.
Kotin said: “There is a real danger of a nuclear and radiation catastrophe being caused by firing on the entire territory of Ukraine with Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, and a huge risk of damage to nuclear plants. Russia must answer for this shameful crime.”
Ukraine was expecting three of its nuclear power plants to be operational again by Thursday evening, according to Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The Kyiv office for The Hague-based International Commission on Missing Persons has said that over 15,000 people have gone missing so far in the war.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that G7 Foreign Ministers will discuss during a meeting next week in Bucharest how to continue supporting Ukraine and ensure that it has a steady energy supply over the winter.
European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Finland that the EU is putting in place a ninth sanctions package on Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s strategy of attempting to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure would not weaken the country’s resolve to liberate all its territory that is currently occupied by Moscow, calling the conflict a “war of strength and resilience”.
Zelensky said on Thursday evening: “Together we endured nine months of full-scale war and Russia has not found a way to break us, and will not find one.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Hungary would ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership early next year. Hungary and Turkey are the only members of the Alliance who have yet to ratify their accession.
British Foreign Minister James Cleverly has said during a visit to Ukraine that the United Kingdom will pledge millions of pounds to help Kyiv throughout the winter.
