Canadian-led NATO brigade deploys east in Latvia

NATO’s entire Canadian-led brigade in Latvia is deploying east this week toward the Russian and Belarusian borders, the first time the full brigade has done so, CTV News reported.

The move is part of an exercise called Resolute Reforger 2026, according to reports from Latvia. Soldiers are building defensive positions along NATO’s eastern front during the multi-day exercise.

Latvia’s Defence Ministry listed heavy military vehicle movements from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, with equipment returning from Nov. 4 to 8, according to the reports.

The brigade is based at Camp Adazi near Riga. Reports say the base is home to roughly 3,000 soldiers from 14 NATO countries, about 2,000 of them members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Government material says the brigade will have up to 2,200 Canadian Armed Forces members once it is fully built up.

The deployment is Canada’s largest overseas military mission. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government extended Operation Reassurance, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s deterrence in central and eastern Europe, and Canada’s commitment to the Latvia mission runs to 2029.

CTV News also reported that a Canadian commander leads the brigade on Latvia’s eastern flank. The broadcaster’s crew visited soldiers in what it described as a defensive, battle-ready position near the Russian border.

Separately, Latvia briefly warned of an airspace threat on Nov. 2, and NATO air policing jets were activated, according to the Jerusalem Post. The military later said the danger had passed and that the object was believed to be on the ground in Latvia near the Russian border. Reports reviewed by Canada News Media do not link that incident to the brigade’s movement.

The Canadian military has also been considering permanent bases in Latvia as part of its NATO commitment, CBC News has reported.

The deployment comes as European leaders weigh further support for Ukraine. Canada News Media has reported on E5 ministers pledging Ukraine support before winter and on the new Canada-EU alliance, which also covers security co-operation.

The search term “NATO Canadian brigade deployment Latvia” drew more than 5,000 searches in Canada over the past day, according to Google Trends Canada.

The Department of National Defence has not published a news release on the exercise in the reports reviewed. Canada News Media will update this story when it does.

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Sources: CTV News, CBC News.