NATO allies have launched two large-scale military exercises in Lithuania, near the border with Belarus, involving more than 6,000 military personnel from several European countries, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence said. The exercises, named Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26, run from 6 November to 3 December and focus on combat readiness, operational coordination and interoperability among allied forces.

Both exercises are being conducted under the command of Germany's 10th Panzer Division, which will oversee the participating formations from their initial deployment and readiness assessments through to their return to permanent bases. More than 6,000 troops come from the 45th Lietuva Armoured Brigade and the 37th Saxony Mechanised Infantry Brigade, both operating within the 10th Panzer Division's command structure.

Source: AzerNews, citing the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence

Military personnel from Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Belgium and Luxembourg are taking part, alongside units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO's multinational combat brigade stationed in Lithuania. The drills are being held at the Rudninkai training grounds and the General Silvestras Žukauskas military range, according to Espreso reporting carried by 112.ua.

“These exercises are being conducted under the leadership of the German 10th Panzer Division. The division will ensure the management of all units, from the formation and readiness of brigades under its command to the return to their permanent deployment locations. The purpose of both exercises is to strengthen the combat readiness of the units, improve command and control procedures, operational planning, as well as improve interoperability between NATO allies Lithuania and Poland,” the Lithuanian ministry said in a statement.

Source: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence via AzerNews

The movement of troops is itself part of the test. The busiest movement of military convoys is expected between 6 and 7 November along the route from Kalvarija to the exercise sites, with additional convoy activity from 10 to 12 November approaching from Klaipėda. After the exercises conclude, military vehicles will begin departing between 28 November and 3 December.

Source: Espreso via 112.ua

Why Lithuania matters to NATO

Lithuania shares a border with Belarus and with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, which puts it in a strategically important position on NATO's eastern flank. Exercises there test whether allied formations can coordinate military operations, manage multinational forces and execute operational plans under a unified command structure — the core skills the alliance says it would need if a crisis on the eastern flank ever became a real attack.

The drills come as Russia's war against Ukraine continues and NATO allies keep reinforcing the alliance's eastern defences. For Lithuania and Poland in particular, the ministry's statement frames the month of exercises as being about readiness and interoperability — proving that brigades from different countries can deploy, be supplied and fight together under one headquarters.