Troops from D Coy 5 RIFLES ‘The Dogs’ deployed on a NATO mission in Estonia are “ready to deter and ready to fight”.
5 RIFLES is a Regular Infantry Battalion based in Bulford Camp, Wiltshire. The battalion consists of around 600 Riflemen who deploy from their base location on training and operations worldwide.
“The Battalion is an Armoured Infantry Battalion that is part of 20 Armoured Brigade, within 3rd (UK) Division – ‘The Iron Division” that is the only division at continual operational readiness in the UK.”
In 2017, 5 RIFLES provided the lead element for the UK’s first ever Enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia.
Absolutely thrilled that D Coy 5 RIFLES ‘The Dogs’ have joined us in Estonia following the departure of @forsvaretdk’s Vidar Company. The Dogs’ first task: zeroing weapons, ready to deter and ready to fight. @ComdUKeFP @RiflesRegiment @TheIronFist #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/rgBMPTCRUc
— CO 5 RIFLES (@CO_5RIFLES) January 17, 2021
British forces routinely operate in the region, only recently Royal Air Force RC-135 and Sentinel surveillance aircraft were observed operating over the Baltic nations near the Russian border.
In addition, a detachment of German Air Force Eurofighters recently arrived in Lithuania to undertake combined Quick Reaction Alert training alongside the RAF Typhoon fast jets already deployed there, say the Royal Air Force.
In 2019, Robert Clark explored ‘British defence in the Baltics’ and looked at the UK commitment to the region.
You can read more about British involvement in the region by visiting the link above.
They are, of course, but if it comes to that, none of the people involved will last very bloody long. I see the Baltics as the up and coming issue over the next few years, a gamble which Russia may play for. That will depend on how things are going for Putin and his domestic popularity and the Kaliningrad question.
What is Kaliningrad question? And what value does Baltic states bring us?
Look at history Ulya and please don’t patronise people with your attempt at playing innocent and less than aware. It makes you look very shallow and one dimensional.
You fail to mention why we want the Baltic, they once served purpose as buffer states and ports but are no longer needed for that, the west is no threat to Kaliningrad and there is no question of ownership so how does Russia benefit from war with NATO over them?
First of all you took Kaliningrad as part of the spoils of war, they were German, then Polish then Russian in 1945. The “West” doesn’t claim them, we in the “West” are individual countries and are not the “West”, but certain countries would like their territory back. Why would you want them? You tell me why you would not want them, when you have a megalomaniac in charge? Your replies show a feigned innocence, a face which Putin’s Russia shows often.
Yes we did take Kaliningrad as spoils of war, so? I should feel bad about that? The Prussians lost and are gone, either dead or now German and the Pole have not had claim for hundreds of years so to me there is not dispute. If German or Pole now try to make some claim I could not care less. You clearly have no logical reason regarding the Baltic states as you fall back to default troll and cliche setting but fail to offer valid answer, I assume it is just easier for you so I will not bother asking again
Looking at a map of Kaliningrad, it would fit into Lithuania nicely!
I have given you the answer to the Baltic states, come on Ulya please make an effort and read the posts again. Firstly history, secondly, Putin’s domestic agenda and thirdly, Georgia,/Ukraine/Crimea…all which roll us around to point one once more! Don’t get grumpy and angry Ulya, of course you are going to support your country, but also don’t think anyone in the “West” thinks Putin is out for anyone or anything aside from Putin. While we have selfish, arrogant and greedy politicians, you have a murdering, power mad meglomainiac, one who seems to be supported by an unwitting, uneducated or cowed population. Anyone back to the issue, if you say that you have no need or want of the Baltic states then I say you are either one of the 3 types of person above, or at least just lying to yourself.
Airborne, I will help out here. A good reason for Russia to have interest in the Baltic States is the Gulf of Riga. After the fall of Soviet Russia the Russian Navy has only one Ice Free location in the Baltic which is in Kaliningrad Oblast, I think it is the old German naval port of Pillau. It is the main reason that Russia keeps control of Kaliningrad. This port however is easily within range of artillery. Although the Baltic Fleet is small in numbers of combat ships, (still big enough to give the German Navy a headache) it is large in numbers for amphibious ships plus it gives Russia a coastal defence. During the period of the Soviet Union/Cold War the main basing of this naval force was in the Gulf or Riga.
Before Ulya goes of on one history has shown that Russia be that Soviet/ Imperial or the current form has always looked to be able to break out, it has always looked for ports outside the confines of the Baltic and Black Sea. One of the reasons for the Turkish Russian wars, the Balkan Wars of the early 20th century and in some ways a background reason for World War 1 was Russia’s attempt to get control of the Dardanelles by supporting nations such as Serbia. It is the same reason for the situation in the Crimea and East Ukraine today. If the Ukraine joined the EU and or NATO the Russian Naval base at Sevastopol would have been cut of. The Black Sea Fleet could not have been supported. NATO would have had no naval threat on its Southern Flank. By annexing the Crimea and forcing a land bridge through Southern Ukraine Sevastopol is secured, by getting basing rights in Syria Russia has avoided the choke point of the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles and NATO need to keep strong naval forces in the Med.
Ulya, says why would Russia want the Baltic States, I could ask the question why did Russia attack Finland, what does that country have except Ice, lakes and mosquitos. Oh and a border with Russia and control of the Gulf of Finland, where if a Russian Fleet has to get out of St.Petersburg they would have to pass through. Thats why Kaliningrad, thats why the Gulf of Riga. Russia wants and has always wanted a way out for its navy and buffer states to act as a trip wire.
My question would be why does or would think any one would want to invade Russia, yes I know the French and Germans tried. Even they were well stupid, sorry folks. Russia is to big to invade, even if you did you cannot control it or police it, its to big. You get to a town or city, then you go for miles with nothing except trees and fields. A logistical nightmare for any invading force. It would be a mess.
So it all comes down to location, location, location.
Some of this I knew Ron, a lot I wasn’t aware of, so thanks for the in depth response, cheers mate.
And what did Putin state about the on going “containment of Russia”? Come on Ulya, he is your illustrious leader, you need to stop playing the friendly troll.
Putin regrets the breakup of the Soviet Union, he regards it as a very Big mistake!
So there!
There is no question over Kaliningrad as far as I’m aware. To be honest it’s a stranded asset and one of the biggest reasons why I don’t think there will ever be a war over the Baltics. Russia has almost nothing to gain from annexing small states with hostile populations and next to no resource assets, and whilst everyone agrees that if Russia wanted to they could probably roll over Latvia and Estonia in a few days, they would surely lose Kaliningrad if there was a concerted NATO response. I bet the Poles would absolutely love to take it.
Poor trade if you ask me.
Mate the issue is there would not be a concerted NATO response, certainly not in the first 36hrs, and by then the Baltics would be done and dusted. Western leaders would just be happy the Russians have stopped, and gone no further and would be content by playing the peacemakers and talking, with no result, handing the Baltic state to the Russians.
Why would they invade, why not, when you have a man like Putin in charge he will do what he needs to do depending on public perception and popularity (or lack of it) Its not ignored by many in the know that the Russian people have stated in repeated statically surveys that tbey see Latvia and Lithuania as number 4 and 5 of the enemies of Russia (after USA, Poland, Turkey) This is just my opinion and thought process and no animals were harmed when filming….
Kaliningrad cuts into Lithuanian territory!
Poland has a nearly strait border with Lithuania.
Regrettably I tend to agree with you. We are nothing but token strength and both we – and the Russians – know it. Militarily, if the Russians made a lightning land grab, there is precious little to stop them. However unlikely that might be, the fact remains. Sobering.
I can’t see them invading the Baltics. Even if they tried to instigate protests and civil unrest, they could never repeat what happened on Ukraine without crossing a clear red line. Strategically Ukraine is much more important to Russia as well which is why Putin was no prepared to let it break away and pursue EU membership. The reason Germany spends less than 1% of GDP on defense is because they don’t see any realistic threat coming from Russia.
Agree to a degree….does that make sense? The Baltics are 24hrs of hard work, confusion and horrendous BBC reports. Then it’s all about stop lines and retaining what they have taken, and going no further. The Russians will claim the Baltics, say they go no further, NATO will flap, make rash decisions, argue amongst themselves and then appreciate the fact that when the Russians stop then the descison making process is taken away from them. That is how I see it playing, however the big question is why would they go for the Baltics….I don’t know but reason doesn’t seem to be playing a big part when domestic event lead amd possibly dictate the way.
In a sense David, they only need to be in token strength, an aggressive Russian action against them would effectively trigger war with NATO.
They are the trip wire. That said, comparatively small units can have an effect totally out of proportion to their size, ask Airborne!
A perfect example of this came in the final days of WW2 when a Canadian Parachute battalion of 600 men was rapidly deployed in front of an advancing Soviet Armoured division in a blocking manoeuvre.
The mission was simple and required a brass neck and steely nerves, stop the Russians flanking North and occupying Denmark.
They did ‘exactly that’ and stopped them dead, while the British forces raced in and took surrender of German forces, a game of who blinks first and it was the Russians!
Had they occupied Denmark, it’s extremely unlikely they would have withdrawn and it would have given them total control of the Baltic. The Cold war would have looked quite different.
I think if the Russians had occupied Denmark it would have rapidly become a shooting War. That’s why steely nerves worked. Their lines of communication would have been very extended and reinforcement by sea vulnerable to interdiction. The sight of the Russian Army surrendering in Denmark would have been interesting!
Read “2017: War with Russia” by General Sir Richard Shirreff. It’s a fictional tale about Russia invading the Baltic states. However, Gen Shirreff writes as a former DSACEUR and a lot of the book reflects his own thoughts and experience on the subject. I couldn’t put it down. If I was a citizen of a Baltic state I’d be scared s***less about what this book predicates.
I will. I wasn’t aware of that.
Well, in that book a Russian sub torpedoes HMS Queen Elizabeth. I think Putin does not want full war with the West. It would damage too many of the assets he has bought here with dodgy money. However, if he could grab a few acres of ex Soviet land in the Baltics & get away with it, he would see that as good propaganda. Even our token forces need some artillery to counter the Russian “God of Battle”. A few cheap ex USMC 155mm M777, could be a way to do it.
Never fear! Joe “white flag” Biden is here! lol
Well Dan, I think most people would prefer a sane and stable US president, that doesn’t threaten his own democracy….
Mr Trump got his wall in the end, just a shame it’s around Washington DC….
I’ll take Mr Biden any day of the week.
Please stay away from Parliament, we don’t want your sort there.