Military drills leave Riga honor guard posts empty this week

Honor guard posts at Riga’s Freedom Monument and Riga Castle will remain empty from September 2 to 6 because of military exercises, LSM reported.

The Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Battalion said the guards would not be deployed to provide full support to the State Border Guard.

The nationwide Namejs 2026 comprehensive national defence exercises began on September 2 and will continue until October 8.

President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on Wednesday that maintaining soldiers’ combat skills and experience at a high level was more important than simply marching at the monument. He said the exercises included support for the Baltic defence lines and strengthening the border, adding that both soldiers and border guards needed to develop the skills required to perform their duties effectively.

The honor guard was also withdrawn from the two posts in previous years when soldiers took part in Namejs exercises.