256 Royal Marines and soldiers have settled with the MoD over asbestos exposure.
They claimed the Ministry of Defence “knowingly” sent them into a former Soviet base in Latvia packed with the stuff — and never properly warned them.
It occurred during Exercises Saber Strike 18 and Baltic Protector 19.
Troops from 30 Commando, 45 Commando and attached Army units slept in dusty, abandoned buildings.

One Marine, Ed Hill, collected a sample himself.
It tested positive for chrysotile asbestos.
The MoD’s own inquiry later admitted: planners knew asbestos was there, but there was “insufficient reconnaissance and an assumption of safety.” No proper brief given. MoD settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
They accepted no liability and said they’ve banned further use of the site and updated policy.
Ed Hill: “We now have to live our lives not knowing whether we’re going to contract an asbestos-related illness.”
Another Marine previously called it “an unnecessary death sentence.”
The settlement leaves the door open for more compensation if anyone develops disease in the future.
A second claim from another 55 personnel is still ongoing.
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