Namejs 2026 military exercises to bring troops into Riga streets

Riga and its surroundings will host the active phase of the comprehensive national defence exercise Namejs 2026 from September 16 to 20, LSM reported. Residents will see increased movement of Latvian and allied troops, National Guard members and military vehicles, while temporary training checkpoints and anti-mobility obstacles will be set up in some locations.

The exercise will also include drone and military aircraft flights, with temporary traffic and movement restrictions possible. More intensive activities are planned in the Petersala Andrejsala, Brasa, Ciekurkalns, Teika, Mežciems, Torņakalns, Ziepniekkalns, Bolderāja, Daugavgrīva and Salas neighbourhoods.

Training tasks will take place in urban areas and on the premises of selected state, municipal and critical infrastructure facilities. Participants will include Latvia’s National Armed Forces, the National Guard, allied troops, the State Police, Riga Municipal Police, municipal institutions and municipal companies.

An anti-mobility and checkpoint training position will be set up in the Jaunā Teika neighbourhood near Ropažu Street 6. Work is due to begin at about 8 p.m. on September 16. The measures are intended to train the ability to control and, if necessary, restrict vehicle movement using various obstacles and checkpoints. Soldiers, military equipment and training obstacles will be visible in the area, and temporary movement or traffic restrictions may be introduced if necessary.

On September 18, training will also take place at the Daugavgrīva biological treatment station, operated by the Rīgas ūdens company, on Dzintaru Street 60. The exercise will practise protecting a critical infrastructure facility, including through the use of anti-mobility elements and the involvement of soldiers and National Guard members. The most active phase at the facility is planned for the morning.

Residents of Bolderāja and Daugavgrīva should expect an increased presence of military personnel and military vehicles during the exercise. Some training episodes will involve training-related noise.