US and NATO Hold Military Parade on Russian Border

With Russian aggression in Eastern Europe continuing unabated, the United States and a number of NATO allies decided it was time to send a message that they mean business.

The Daily Mail reports that soldiers from the United States, Estonia, Spain, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Lithuania marched to the Russian border crossing at Narva, Estonia. The troops from the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Lithuania numbered around 100, while 1,300 Estonian soldiers participated.

The troops from outside Estonia are all from NATO member nations. Estonia is also a member. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the growth of NATO to include Baltic states like Estonia and Lithuania is a major threat to Russia. Some commentators have said the growth of NATO is a reason for Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The parade was a part of celebrations to mark Estonia's independence from the Soviet Union. The soldiers paraded about in full battle gear and armored personnel carriers and tanks. The tanks and armored vehicles were sent to Estonia in response to Russian adventurism in Ukraine.

Not to be outdone, Russia carried out military exercises of its own, deploying 2,000 paratroopers to Russian territory not far from Narva, according to the Mail. The troops were accompanied by 500 pieces of equipment.

Fears of Russian aggression in the Baltics, all of which were formerly members of the Soviet Union, are so pronounced that Lithuania has reinstated the draft for the next five years, according to Reuters.

Lithuania discontinue the draft in 2008. All men in good health between the ages of 19 and 26 must serve. There are some exemptions for university students and single fathers as well as other groups. In total, the draft is expected to bolster the size of the Lithuanian military by 3,500 members.