NATO Paratroopers launch airborne operation near Belarus border in ‘Swift Response 25’ drills

May 17, 2025

Daugavpils (Latvia) May 17, 2025 (ANI): NATO's paratroopers carried out a high-profile airborne operation near the Belarus border in Latvia on Friday (May 16) as part of "Swift Response 25" military drills, aimed at showcasing the alliance's readiness to defend its eastern flank. The exercise involved Spanish Army Airbus A400M aircraft dropping cargo and paratroopers in Daugavpils in southeastern Latvia, close to the country's border with Belarus. Latvian National Guard 3rd Brigade Commander Gunars Vizulis said the exercises were NATO's message and assurance that they were ready to defend their country. Swift Response 25, a multinational exercise, is part of NATO's larger DEFENDER 25, focusing on airborne operations, rapid infiltration, and multi-domain capabilities. The exercise includes five nearly simultaneous airborne insertions and HIRAIN (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration) training across several countries including Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Finland from May 11-31, 2025.