British Royal Marines have conducted their first land exercise in the Faroe Islands since World War II as part of efforts to counter growing Russian activity in the High North. The recent drills, carried out alongside Danish forces, focused on boarding operations targeting so-called Russian “shadow fleet” vessels and defending critical undersea infrastructure, such as communication cables essential for energy and data transmission across Europe.
The exercise is part of a broader strategic initiative involving the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a UK-led coalition of 10 northern European countries aimed at enhancing regional security and military cooperation. The JEF held a summit in Keflavik, Iceland, bringing together ministers from member states as well as Ukraine and Canada, the latter of which has formally applied to join the coalition. Discussions centered on recent military activities and the evolving security environment in northern Europe.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture in the region. He described Moscow as “more reckless and less discreet” in its hostile actions, including the mapping of undersea cable networks vital to Britain and Europe. According to Streeting, incidents involving Russian forces in Estonia and Germany illustrate a pattern of openly confrontational behavior that poses a direct threat to the UK and its allies.
The coalition has been intensifying its military presence across the North Atlantic, the High North, and the Baltic Sea to safeguard critical infrastructure, improve joint command capabilities, and respond to emerging risks. Notably, the JEF exercise Lion Protector, conducted in August, involved a multinational maritime escort operation spanning the length of the Baltic Sea and included, for the first time, participation by Ukrainian forces.
These developments reflect continuing concerns about Russia’s strategic intentions in northern Europe and the Arctic region. The JEF’s expanded activities seek to deter hostile actions and reinforce collective defense measures among member nations. The inclusion of partner states such as Ukraine and Canada underscores the coalition’s broadening scope and commitment to regional stability amid heightened geopolitical tensions.