Military exercise Aurora has begun in southern Sweden, in Stockholm, and on the island of Gotland. Soldiers from numerous countries are taking part, including Ukraine and the United States.
Photo. Försvarsmakten
According to Rear Admiral Jonas Wikström, the exercise’s commander, the main theme of this year’s edition of Aurora will be the defence of the Alliance. In previous years, the focus was on defending Sweden against invasion.
Approximately 18,000 participants will take part in the drills, including 16,000 from Sweden alone. The maneuvers will continue until May 13, involving units from the Swedish Army, Navy, Air Force, and Home Guard. Ukraine will be represented by counter-drone units participating in a simulated defence of Gotland. British and Danish troops will also be stationed on the island, while U.S. forces from the New York National Guard will conduct exercises near Stockholm.
In addition to the aforementioned participants, this year’s Aurora will also include forces from Finland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and France. The exercises are being conducted as part of Sweden’s continued integration into NATO structures. The country joined the Alliance in 2024 in response to the expansionist policies of the Russian Federation.