For three weeks, one of the most ambitious NATO special operations forces exercises in the Baltic states since the wide-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Exercise Flaming Sword 2026 involved elite Allied units training to handle crisis scenarios combining covert destabilisation, information operations and direct military aggression.
“Operational continuity and integration of different systems to detect and neutralise targets is our top priority. We are developing our ability to plan and coordinate operations in the three Baltic states,” said Commander of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Col Darius Milašius.
The Exercise held of May 4–22 rehearsed defence of the Baltic region and NATO ability to respond rapidly to full-scale conventional war, as well as different hybrid threats – action that begins with disinformation, infiltrations, sabotage and coordinated political pressure, rather than tank columns. The Exercise involved different types of drones, assault crafts, helicopters, fighter jets and a submarine. The NATO Special Operations Forces were rehearsing joint tasks while incorporating lessons learned in Ukraine.
Commander of the Bundeswehr Special Operations Forces Brigadier General Torsten Glockzin underscored that “Lithuania is one of the cornerstones of Germany’s NATO commitments. Our Lithuanian partners have created realistic environment for Exercise Flaming Sword drawing from the war experience in Ukraine. All of this reflects the status of Lithuania as the NATO frontline country.”
Another theme the Exercise trained was planning and retrieval of personnel from isolation in realistic conditions. Reintegration of personnel after isolation is a crucial element of protecting the best interest of the isolated, retrieved persons and their next of kin, and thus strengthening the National Defence System and the general public resilience.
The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces was created after re-establishment of independence to be able to execute highly complex, precision operations in sensitive environments. Candidates for the Special Operations Forces are selected on voluntary basis from across the Lithuanian Armed Forces and undergo one of the most challenging selection procedures in the Lithuanian military.
Photo credit: Lithuanian Special Operations Forces
