The Swedish Navy leads its biggest annual military exercise, the BALTOPS (Baltic operations), with the US and other European allies taking part amid growing tensions in the region. "In my region, we have seen examples of situations, activities that have worsened the security situation" says Brigadier General Jan Patrik Gardestan. Sweden is NATO's newest member, with the military alliance increasingly at odds with Russia over Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES