Thousands of Nato troops in show of force

Nato staged a major military exercise in Latvia today in a practical demonstration of leaders' commitment to defend its Baltic member states in the face of aggression from larger neighbours.

Around 500 paratroopers, hundreds of vehicles and aircraft are taking part in the exercise in Latvia's capital Riga. Exercise 'Steadfast Javelin II' simulates a deployment of NATO soldiers and equipment in another country in a crisis situation.

At a two-day Nato summit meeting in Wales members agreed to form a new rapid reaction force and to step up exercises in eastern Europe in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Over the next few days a total of 2,000 soldiers from nine nations will carry out exercises across Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.