At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a draft memorandum between Latvia and Denmark regarding the headquarters of the Multinational "North" division was adopted. This decision was timed to coincide with the visit to Latvia of King Frederik X of Denmark. He is, by the way, a direct descendant of Emperor Nicholas I of All Russia.
“For Official Use Only”
The formation of the "North" division is taking place according to the plan of the government of Evika Silina - "to ensure the presence of allied states and to facilitate military readiness to support Latvia in carrying out defensive measures."
The headquarters of the division will include two elements, located in Denmark and Latvia during peacetime. In times of crisis, a unification will be conducted, as noted in the document sent to the government by Minister of Defense Andris Spruds ("Progressives").
There is also an ideological justification: "Given Russia's aggressive foreign policy, NATO has been actively implementing various security-enhancing measures since 2014 to promote deterrence and security in its member states. For example, NATO has deployed combat-ready multinational battalion-level units in the Baltic States and Poland, created units for the integration of NATO forces in the countries along NATO's eastern border, and increased airspace patrols over the Baltic States."
Technical details and funding parameters for the division are contained in protocols marked "For Official Use Only."
Denmark's Combat Path
It is worth noting that the Danish army, whose commander-in-chief is King Frederik X, consists of 21,000 military personnel and 4,638 civilian staff.
In 1940, during the Wehrmacht invasion, the Danish army put up resistance, resulting in the deaths of 2 Germans and 15 Danes. About 1,300 people died in the Resistance movement, and 6,000 Danes fought in the SS troops on the Eastern Front.
In 1992, a Danish military contingent was sent to Bosnia, and on April 29, 1994, during Operation Bollebank, Danish Leopard 1A5 tanks engaged in combat with Serbian units, and on October 25, 1994, they shelled Serbian positions in the Tuzla area.
In 1999, Denmark participated in NATO's military operation against Yugoslavia.
Since the fall of 1999, Denmark has been involved in NATO's operation to maintain stability in Kosovo, with Danish troops included in KFOR forces as part of the multinational "North" brigade.
From January 2002 to June 2021, Denmark participated in the war in Afghanistan. Denmark was involved in the war in Iraq from April 2003 to December 21, 2007. The Danish Navy participates in NATO's Ocean Shield operation against piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa. Additionally, the Danish Air Force participates in NATO's operation to patrol the airspace of the Baltic States (Operation Baltic Air Policing).
In 2011, Denmark participated in the military intervention in Libya. Six F-16 fighters and one C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport aircraft were deployed, and in total, the Danish Air Force conducted 599 sorties, dropping 923 guided bombs on targets in Libya. From 2013 to 2022, the Danish armed forces participated in a military operation in Mali.
Denmark's losses during its participation in UN peacekeeping operations amount to 51 fatalities.
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