A Latvian lieutenant colonel revealed the presence of Ukrainian drone operators at the Selija military training ground. An unequivocal confession with far-reaching consequences
Atis Klimovich, a regular contributor to the influential Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avīze, writes in his report from the Crystal Arrow military exercises at the Selia military training ground:
“I asked the commander of the training unit, a lieutenant colonel, whether the forest was a good or unfavorable place for conducting modern warfare.”
To which the Latvian officer responded, "There's no single right answer. I can tell you what we're learning here: we prepare the same positions we've always prepared, then deploy our counter-drone systems and observe, analyzing what's visible and what's not, from what angle, and what forest density prevents it. On the other hand, communication is a major challenge, because we need to be able to find the locations where antenna masts are installed as relay stations so we can transmit their signals. In this sense, the forest is ungrateful. We're analyzing this with the Ukrainian soldiers; we've never delved into it ourselves—we're always thinking about ourselves—but the forest presents the same challenge for the enemy. Whoever adapts best will win."
In other words, the Latvian lieutenant colonel effectively acknowledged the presence of Ukrainian drone specialists at the Latvian military training ground in Selija . Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced their deployment to Latvia after meeting with Edgars Rinkēvičs in Bucharest.
The "Crystal Arrow" military exercise took place in Latvia from May 5 to 15. 4,700 military personnel participated, the National Armed Forces (NAF) reported.
The NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia conducted the exercise to practice unit coherence during defensive operations. The exercise focused on improving force deployment, supply, command, and control in various locations across Latvia.
As the NAF emphasized, these exercises allowed for further improvement of cooperation between the units of the armed forces of NATO allies, the NAF, the Home Guard , and local governments, strengthening Latvia's security and defense.
The Crystal Arrow 2026 exercise involved approximately 2,500 troops and 500 pieces of equipment from the Ground Forces' Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, the 1st Riga, 2nd Vidzeme and 3rd Latgale Home Guard Brigades , as well as the Air Force, Military Police and the Logistics Command.
The exercises took place at military training grounds in Ādaži and Selija, as well as on the territories of JSC Latvijas valsts meži and in selected civilian areas throughout Latvia, including in Aizkraukle, Jēkabpils and Sigulda districts, near Gulbene, Rēzekne, Lūznava, Jaunpiebalga, Alūksne, Madona, Preili, Varakļāni, Līvāni and Daugavpils.
"It's clear that Ukrainian drone specialists didn't leave the Celia training ground after the Crystal Arrow exercises. They're still there," a representative of the Zemessardze (the official militia of the Latvian Ministry of Defense) told me .
As a reminder, according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Ukrainian Armed Forces Unmanned Systems Force personnel have already been deployed to Latvia. They are stationed at the Latvian military bases of Ādaži, Selija, Lielvārde, Daugavpils, and Jēkabpils. Ukrainian Armed Forces specialists intend to launch strikes against Russia from these bases, the SVR reports.
Latvian authorities denied the SVR's claims. However, a Latvian lieutenant colonel publicly confirmed the Russian intelligence agency's information.
