A Tiny NATO Country Is Preparing for War with Russia – The Wall Street Journal
Estonia is actively strengthening its preparedness for potential security challenges from Russia by integrating elements of defense and civil protection into the country’s daily life. To this end, the government is increasing the number of shelters, organizing large-scale population evacuation drills, introducing drone piloting training programs for schoolchildren, and steadily increasing funding for the defense sector.
This is reported by the American publication The Wall Street Journal.
Particular attention is being paid to the eastern regions of the country, which border Russia. In the city of Tartu, local authorities are already working out scenarios for mass evacuation and responding to sudden attacks. By 2028, they plan to set up temporary shelters here for 100,000 people.
Kindergarten directors are undergoing crisis training and receiving emergency equipment, including radios, first-aid kits, and portable stoves.
At the same time, high school students in Estonia are being taught how to operate drones, and large-scale NATO military exercises involving armored vehicles and hundreds of drones are regularly held in Estonia and neighboring Latvia.
Deterring the enemy
In Tallinn, they are convinced that the best way to avoid war is to demonstrate to Moscow a readiness to defend. That is why the country focuses not only on military capabilities but also on preparing the civilian population for crisis situations.
“This is how deterrence works. You must always be prepared to prevent Russia from invading you. The more you prepare, the more Russia sees that it won’t be an easy battle,” said Marek Kohv, an expert at the International Center for Defense and Security.
According to Estonian officials, Russia does not currently pose an immediate military threat to the country, as a significant portion of its resources are tied up in the war against Ukraine. At the same time, once the fighting ends, Moscow may shift its focus to the Baltic region.
Defense Spending
Estonia is already among NATO’s leaders in terms of defense spending as a share of gross domestic product. The government plans to increase this figure to 5.4% of GDP by the end of the decade.
Funds are being directed primarily toward the development of air defense systems, unmanned technologies, and highly mobile American-made rocket artillery systems.
Amid discussions about a possible reduction in the U.S. military presence in Europe, Tallinn is also actively strengthening cooperation with other NATO allies, primarily the United Kingdom and France.
One of the largest military exercises in recent months was the “Spring Storm” exercise, which took place in Estonia. About 12,000 military personnel from NATO countries participated in it.
Ukrainian experts also joined the exercises, sharing with allies their experience in modern warfare using drones.
For residents of eastern Estonia, the presence of military allies has already become routine. Convoys of British and French armored vehicles regularly travel along local roads, serving as a reminder that the country is preparing for any developments on NATO’s eastern border.
