VILNIUS (Sputnik) — Flaming Sword 2016, the largest special forces exercises in Eastern Europe this year concluded in Lithuania on Friday, the country's defense ministry said in a press release.
"On May 20 largest special forces Exercise Flaming Sword 2016 in the region this year wrapped up," the press release reads.
The exercises lasted for three weeks and were attended by British, Danish, Georgian, Latvian, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, US and Ukrainian special forces, according to the statement.
"The exercise scenario was based on collective defence developed with regard to the geopolitical changes in the region over the recent years. Land, air and maritime special operations task forces and squads coordinated actions as they recognise the fact of military aggression and neutralised high-value targets of hostile forces," the ministerial statement noted.
Flaming Sword exercises have been held in Lithuania annually since 2012. This year's drills were held alongside Exercise Trojan Footprint 2016 organized by the US Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).
