"Namejs 2026" drills reach Riga and Liepāja with mock attack scenarios

For more than two weeks, Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS) have been running the annual comprehensive national defense exercise "Namejs 2026". The drills bring together Latvian and allied troops, National Guard members, and various responsible services, all working to strengthen cooperation in crisis and threat situations.

Exercise moves into cities

The scope of the exercise has recently expanded to include urban environments. Activity is now visible in Riga and its surrounding area, as well as in the South Kurzeme municipality and the city of Liepāja. In these locations, participants are running through scenarios involving a potential military attack, allowing them to test and train response capabilities under conditions that closely resemble a real urban setting.

The "Namejs" exercise is part of Latvia's annual national defense preparedness cycle, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the armed forces, the National Guard, and civilian institutions, as well as improving the country's ability to respond to various types of threats. Holding the exercise in multiple locations across Latvia — both in the capital and in the regions — reflects an effort to test cooperation mechanisms under different conditions and in different geographic areas.