Ukrainian drones at Siil demonstrated that yesterday's war tactics are over
By Vahur Lauri
(ERR)
“Ukraine brought its Delta battlefield management system, along with various drones, to Estonia for the large-scale military exercise Siil 2025. The Ukrainians set up their equipment and operated various drones in the same way they've learned during three years of war."
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"There are so many drones flying at our exercise that I've never seen anything like it — it's constantly buzzing. Battlefield information from the drones was relayed within minutes," said Aivar Hanniotti, the Defense League's unmanned aerial vehicle coordinator. The key lesson, said reserve Maj. Sten Reimann, who organized the participation of Ukraine's Delta system in the Estonian exercise, is that the kind of warfare we're used to could lead to defeat by nightfall.”
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"The old maneuver tactics — moving in large daytime convoys — just aren't viable on the battlefield anymore. In a worse-case scenario, we could lose an entire brigade by evening, or at least most of its combat equipment," said Reimann, who is currently in the reserves. He believes the Ukrainian system could be adopted in Estonia because it was developed under real combat conditions. The decision now lies with the Defense Forces.”
“Ukrainian drone instructors involved in exercises in Estonia.” - Militarni
“NATO praises Ukraine DELTA battlefield management system.” - Ukrinform
Ukrainlased näitasid Siilil, et eilse sõjapidamise aeg on läbi
Vahur Lauri
(ERR)
“Sel kevadel kasutas kaitsevägi Siilil esmakordselt Ukraina lahinguruumi juhtimise süsteemi Delta. Ukrainlased panid üles oma seadmed ja kasutasid mitmesuguseid oma droone nii, nagu neid on õpetanud 3 aastat kestnud sõda. "Droone on nii palju lendamas ka meie õppusel, et pole kunagi näinud nii palju droone - kogu aeg sumiseb. Lahinguvälja info droonidelt kandus edasi loetud minutitega," sõnas kaitseliidu mehitamata õhusõidukite koordinaator Aivar Hanniotti.”
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“Õppetund oli see, et meie harjumuspärane sõjapidamine võib õhtuks tuua kaotuse, ütles reservmajor Sten Reimann, kes korraldas Ukrainlaste Delta toomist Eesti õppustele.”
https://www.err.ee/1609695726/ukrainlased-naitasid-siilil-et-eilse-sojapidamise-aeg-on-labi
Exercise Hedgehog (Siil) 2025
(ERR)
“Estonia's largest military exercise, Hedgehog, kicked off on May 5. More than 16,000 Estonian and allied troops are taking part in the exercise from May 5 to May 23 across the country.”
https://news.err.ee/1609687538/in-pictures-estonia-s-exercise-hedgehog-2025
“More than quarter of sirens fail in Estonia's first major emergency alert test.” - ERR
“Training Phase in Exercise Hedgehog 2025 Began in Northeast Estonia.” - Eesti Kaitsevägi
“Estonian firm to launch mass-production UAV hub with European partners.” - NVU
“U.S. Army Demonstrates Rapid Armored Deployment Capabilities in Estonia.” - Army Recognition
“US Army deploys M2A4 Bradleys to Estonia.” - Defense Blog
Kirde-Eestis rullus lahti Siili õppelahingute etapp
(Eesti Kaitsevägi)
“Pühapäeval algas õppuse Siil 2025 õppelahingute etapp, kus Kirde-Eestis, peamiselt kaitseväe keskpolügoonil toimuvatest manöövritest võtab osa üle 5500 kaitseväelase ning pea 3000 tehnikaühikut. Õppelahingute stsenaariumi disainimisel lähtuti ülesannetest, mis on püstitatud osalejatele Eesti kaitseplaanis ning võeti arvesse tähtsamaid õppe-eesmarke.”
https://mil.ee/uudised/kirde-eestis-rullus-lahti-siili-oppelahingute-etapp/
“Riik käivitab 14. mail suurõppusel Siil üleriigilise ohuteavituse.” - Tallinn
“Minister Hanno Pevkur: kaitsetööstus on Eestis kõige kiiremini kasvav majandusharu.” - Postimees
Study: Defending Europe Without the U.S. - Costs and Consequences
(International Institute for Strategic Studies)
“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, its hybrid war against European states, and demands by the Trump administration for European defence autonomy make it imperative for European decision-makers to consider the military, financial and defence industrial investments needed to reduce dependencies on the US and, in extremis, to prepare for a NATO without any US role. … the study first assesses Russia’s ability to reconstitute its forces after the fighting in Ukraine ends.”
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“Our assessment is that challenges notwithstanding, Russia could be in a position to pose a significant military challenge to NATO allies, particularly the Baltic states, as early as 2027.”
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“To replace the currently assumed US conventional capabilities assigned to the Euro-Atlantic theatre, European states would need to invest significant resources on top of already existing plans to boost military capacity. The IISS estimates that taking into consideration one-off procurement costs and assuming a 25-year lifecycle, these costs would amount to approximately USD1 trillion.”
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EstoNews Runs on Coffee
and Vana Tallinn
(EstoNews)
This week's newsletter took 3 cups of coffee!
If you find the geopolitical news from Estonia and the Baltic Sea region helpful and informative, consider buying me a cup of coffee or a shot of Vana Tallinn every once in a while to keep me going.
Please visit the PayPal link below. Aitäh!
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EstoNews100
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Cover photo - EDF via ERR:
https://news.err.ee/1609687538/in-pictures-estonia-s-exercise-hedgehog-2025
EstoNews On-Line:
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Arvamus: Sõjas Venemaaga ei oleks Euroopas ühtegi turvalist paika
Alar Karis, Eesti Vabariigi president
(ERR)
“Euroopa ei ole alistatud majanduslikult ega poliitiliselt, kuid nüüd, rohkem kui kunagi varem, peab Euroopa saama tugevaks ka sõjaliselt. Tugev NATO koos tugeva Euroopaga on usutav, enesekindel ja suudab seeläbi hoida rahu, ütles president Alar Karis Lennart Meri konverentsi avaõhtusöögil peetud kõnes.”
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"Mingem üheskoos edasi". See on tänavuse Lennart Meri konverentsi teema. See viitab Winston Churchilli kõnele, mille ta pidas 1942. aastal, ajal, mil Euroopa pidi seisma silmitsi jõhkra agressiooniga. Nii nagu ka nüüd.”
https://www.err.ee/1609696851/alar-karis-sojas-venemaaga-ei-oleks-euroopas-uhtegi-turvalist-paika
Estonia: Russia willing to use its military to defend shadow tanker fleet
(AP | Reuters | ERR |Helsinki Times)
“Estonia warned on Thursday that Russia appears willing to defend with military force its shadow fleet of aging tankers dodging international sanctions to keep oil revenue and equipment flowing, even through the territorial waters of European countries. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that a Russian fighter jet entered NATO airspace in recent days after Estonia’s navy had intercepted a suspected shadow fleet ship in its waters.”
—
“Tsahkna said the navy stopped the ship, the Jaguar, because it was flying no flag and apparently had no insurance. The Russian warplane appeared on the scene while the ship was stopped.”
—
“In recent months, Estonian authorities have checked the insurance and registry status of hundreds of tankers in their waters. In April, they intercepted another unflagged vessel, Kiwalan, en route to Ust-Luga. Estonia’s maritime inspections are supported by wider EU policies to enforce sanctions.”
—
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https://news.err.ee/1609694252/russian-fighter-jet-breaches-estonia-s-airspace
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Finland condemns latest Russian shadow fleet incident in Baltic
(Yle)
“Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) on Thursday said “Finland condemns the reckless shadow fleet behaviour in the Baltic Sea and the airspace violation by Russia. We continue to cooperate closely with Estonia and our other allies and partners.”
“Russian fighter jet breaches Estonia's airspace above the Juminda Peninsula” - Postimees
“Estonia Accuses Russia Of 'Serious Threat' To NATO After Fighter Jet Disrupts Tanker Inspection.” - RFERL
“EDF Chief: Estonia had no plans to board 'shadow fleet' vessel.” - ERR
“Editorial: Estonia Needs Helicopters and Drones.” - Postimees
Eksperdid: tankeri kinnipidamise ebaõnnestunud katse näitas Eesti võimekuse taset
(ERR)
“Vene varilaevastikku kuuluva tankeri Jaguar kinnipidamise ebaõnnestunud katse näitas poliitilise otsustamise ja sõjalise võimekuse taset Eestis. See esitab väljakutse ka aasta alguses ellu kutsutud NATO missioonile Läänemere Vahimees, mille reaalset tegevust varilaevastiku ohjeldamiseks on vähe näha, ütlevad eksperdid.”
“Läänemere nõukogu arutas Vihulas võitlust Vene varilaevastiku vastu.” - ERR
“Juhtkiri: Efektiivne filter Läänemerele.” - Postimees
Kas iga välismaal elav eestlane on väliseestlane?
Mari-Liis Korkus
ERR
“Üleilmsete eestlaste seas ei tekita mõiste väliseestlane üksmeelt – osa peab seda tabavaks, teised aga võõrastavaks või aegunuks, rääkis Mari-Liis Korkus Vikerraadio keelesäutsus.”
https://kultuur.err.ee/1609690889/keelesauts-kas-iga-valismaal-elav-eestlane-on-valiseestlane
Is every Estonian living abroad a 'väliseestlane'?
By Mari-Liis Korkus
(ERR)
“Estonians worldwide don't all agree on the term väliseestlane — literally "abroad-Estonian," but used to mean diaspora Estonian. Some identify strongly with it, while others find it alienating. Ultimately, it's best to ask diaspora members directly how they define themselves, linguist and researcher Mari-Liis Korkus said on Vikerraadio.”
https://news.err.ee/1609692965/is-every-estonian-living-abroad-a-valiseestlane
Estonia Unleashes Ida Hub Film and Innovation Center
(Variety)
“The Ida Hub film and multimedia centre is being built in Eastern Estonia’s Ida-Viru county, near the Russian border. It combines state-of -the-art studios due to open in 2026 and skills development. Closely associated with the project is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.”
https://variety.com/2025/tv/global/estonia-ida-hub-tallinn-black-nights-film-festival-1236397195/
Opinion: Estonia must be prepared to take part in a mission to Ukraine
By Eerik-Niiles Kross
(Postimees)
“… alongside its European allies, whether it provokes the Kremlin or not.”
Eesti looduslikke pühapaiku saadab rahvusromantika ja vana pärimuse segu
Airika Harrik
(Novaator)
“"Tänapäeva inimesel võib olla seda raske mõista, aga oluline osa looduslike pühapaikadega seotud pärimusest seisneb selles, mida seal ei tehta."
Estonian operator Elron prepares first high-speed train order for Rail Baltica
(Railtech)
“Estonia’s state train operator, has started the procurement process of up to six high-speed trains of 200 km/h for operation on Rail Baltica. The operator’s first high-speed trains in its fleet will be designed to run on the Rail Baltica tracks in Estonia from December 2030.”
“Rail Baltic Estonia sõlmis suurimad taristuehituse lepingud Eesti ajaloos.” - ERR
“Rail Baltica: The largest infrastructure contract in Estonia’s history has been signed.” - The Baltic Times
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“Estonia's Tommy Cash makes Eurovision final.” - ERR
“Tehased vaevlevad töökäte puuduses ja otsivad noori insenere.” - Postimees
“Estonian specialists to help out on Latvia-Belarus border.” - LSM
“Estonian doctors, nurses warn against creation of monopoly hospital in Tallinn.” - The Baltic Times
“Estonia redirects €200 million in unused EU funds to defence.” - Caliber
“Kääriku lähistel avati uus vaatetorn.” - ERR
“Estonia moves to counter threats from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’.” - Defensescoop
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Around the Baltic Sea
Satellite images show Russian military buildup near Finland’s eastern border
(Helsinki Times - 10. May)
“… with analysts citing increased troop accommodation, aircraft deployment, and infrastructure construction at key military bases. The images, obtained by Swedish broadcaster SVT from Planet Labs, show activity at four locations: Kamenka on the Karelian Isthmus, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2, and Olenya.”
—
“Sweden’s Chief of Defence Michael Claesson said the developments appear to confirm earlier Russian statements about “military-technical measures” in response to NATO’s enlargement. “When we applied for NATO membership, Russia said it would take such steps. We are now seeing that happen.”
“Finnish Parliament approved a proposed €150 billion joint EU loan instrument to fund defence projects across member states.” - Helsinki Times
Putini vägi koondub aina tihedamalt Soome piiri äärde
(Postimees)
“Rootsi ringhäälingukanal SVT tellis Planet Labsilt satelliidipildid, millelt on näha, et Venemaa suurendab oma sõjalist kohalolu Soome piiri lähistel asuvates sõjaväebaasides. Analüütikud on tuvastanud aktiivsuse neljas baasis: Kamenka, Petroskoi, Severomorsk-2 ja Olenja.”
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“Eriti torkab neist silma Kamenka, mis asub Soome piirist vaid umbes 56 kilomeetri kaugusel. Kui see ala oli varem suhteliselt arendamata, siis satelliidipildid paljastavad, et alates veebruarist on sinna kerkinud üle 130 sõjaväetelgi, mis suudavad mahutada ligi 2000 sõdurit.”
https://tehnika.postimees.ee/8250514/putini-vagi-koondub-aina-tihedamalt-soome-piiri-aarde
This $27B Railway Is Critical to NATO
(Wall Street Journal)
“At a cost of $27 billion, the new 540 mile-long Rail Baltica aims to tackle NATO’s security fears head on. … The Baltic States have decided to split the project into two phases. The first, costing $17 Billion, will see a single track rather than the original double track laid by 2030 and focus on the most important train stops.”
—
“The second track and additional train stations are to be completed as part of the second phase, but no specific completion date has been announced. ‘Having a single track line is better than having none,’ said Dr. Justina Budginaite-Froehly of the Atlantic Council.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eA5oEXEFlI
“Opinion | Rail Baltica: A national-level waste without a deadline.” - BNN
“Latvia to miss Rail Baltica 2030 deadline.” - ERR
Strange Incidents Reported at Latvia's Eastern Border in the Past Month
By Külli Kapper
(Baltic Sentinel)
“At the end of April, police detained a Latvian citizen near the town of Krāslava, approximately 32 kilometers from the Belarusian border, who was transporting migrants from Belarus toward the Latvian interior. Seven individuals of Asian descent, lacking valid travel documents, visas, or residence permits, were found crammed into his Volkswagen Sharan. … Around the same time, Latvian border guards near the predominantly Russian-speaking city of Daugavpils in southeastern Latvia pursued two suspicious individuals lurking in the forest, who ignored repeated orders to stop. … Just days earlier, Latvian border guards had similarly been forced to fire warning shots before the migrants finally stopped. …”
Hiker or Russian Spy? Latvia Advises Its People How to Be on the Lookout
(New York Times)
“In its yearly threat assessment, Latvia’s Defense Intelligence and Security Service … alerted the population to be on the lookout for infiltrators sent by the Kremlin, or its closest ally, Belarus. It’s not clear how great the threat is of saboteurs or spies crossing the borders, but the warning shows the anxiety, heightened by the war in Ukraine, in a tiny country that was long a part of Moscow’s empire and still views its vastly larger neighbor with distrust and fear. Latvia belongs to NATO, but President Trump has called into question the U.S. commitment to the alliance.”
“Latvian security service offers saboteur-spotting tips.” - LSM
Occupation-themed exhibition of the three Baltic States opens at the UN
(Välisministeerium)
“Yesterday 12. May, Estonia, in cooperation with Latvia and Lithuania, opened an exhibition entitled Lessons of World War II … at the UN in New York, aimed at raising awareness of the crimes committed by the Communist regime of the Soviet Union (USSR). The exhibition recalls the devastating consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (MRP), signed in 1939, which divided Europe into zones of influence and destroyed the independence of the Baltic States.”
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“Baltic summit signals urgency in defence production.” - LRT
“Lithuania to deploy troops to Belarus border amid increase of migrants.” - LRT
“Number of unqualified teachers remains high in Swedish schools.” - Radio Sweden
“Finland proposes to rise age limit of reservists to 65 years.” - Daily Finland
“German foreign minister promises more attention to security of Baltic Sea region.” - The Baltic Times
“Kremlin Negotiator Invokes Peter the Great’s 21-Year War With Sweden in Ukraine Talks.” - Moscow Times
"Finland plans to change its track gauge to European standard.” - Yle
“Data centre boom in Finland raises questions over energy, jobs and security.” - Helsinki Times
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Putin’s Forever War
‘We’re prepared to fight forever. How about you?’
(Medusa)
“Sources told journalist Oliver Carroll that presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky warned during the talks that Russia is “prepared to fight forever.”
—
“We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?” Medinsky reportedly told the Ukrainian delegation — a reference to the Great Northern War (1700–1721), which ended with Russia becoming an empire and Sweden losing its status as a major European power. Carroll’s sources say that Russian negotiators also threatened to seize Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions.”
—
“Medinsky said the two sides will resume talks after each outlines its vision for a possible ceasefire. A date for the next meeting has not yet been set.”
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/16/we-re-prepared-to-fight-forever-how-about-you
“Russia and Ukraine talks end in Istanbul as Kyiv source brands Russia’s demands ‘unrealistic’.” - Novaya Gazzeta
“Russia puts forward unacceptable demands in talks with Ukraine.” - BNN
Opinion: With or without a ceasefire, Ukraine has a newfound confidence
By Nathalie Tocci
(The Guardian)
“Back in April 2024, the mood was dark. Frustrated by delays in western military aid, people had a palpable fear of escalating Russian territorial gains, perhaps even a collapse of Ukraine’s frontline. Today, the international context is even more fraught. The Biden administration was frustratingly slow and scared, but few doubted that the US wanted to prevent Russia from prevailing. The same cannot be said of the U.S. president, whose ideological affinity with Vladimir Putin has thrown Europe, starting with Ukraine, off balance.”
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“But despite the U.S. betrayals, I found the mood in Kyiv more confident than a year previously. After more than three years of war, Ukrainians are tired, but not exhausted. The soldiers, civil society representatives, parliamentarians and government officials seemed ever-more determined to stand tall and defend their country. This confidence stems from the country’s growing military self-sufficiency. …”
“Russia and Ukraine agree on prisoner exchange — but no ceasefire.” - Politico
“The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine lasted just two hours in Istanbul.” - Washington Post
“Ukraine, Russia delegations meet, agree to exchange POWs.” - CBC
“Growing up in the crossfire: a teenager’s life in Ukraine.” - Deutsche Welle
“Putin Sacks Chief of Military's Land Forces.” - The Moscow Times
Russian Officials Still Classifying Locations of Bomb Shelters
By Paul Goble
“Moscow journalist Aleksandr Podrabinek wrote, “bomb shelters are built not for the people but for reports to more senior officials and as a military secret because for the authorities, state security and secrets are much more important than the lives of any useless citizens who number in the country about 140 million.”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/05/despite-drone-attacks-russian-officials.html
Meet the Chinese Soldiers Recruited and Fighting in Russia's Army
(Spiegel)
“Ukrainian intelligence has established the identities of 155 Chinese men who are serving or who have served in the Russian military. Most of them, intelligence officials believe, were recruited in the second half of 2024 and belong to a number of different units, generally with a low rank.”
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“"We think there are many more,” says Zelenskyy. It is completely out of the question, the Ukrainian president continues, that Beijing is unaware of the issue, particularly given that recruitment efforts for military service in Russia are openly promoted on Chinese social media. Zelenskyy says that he isn’t accusing Beijing of having ordered these men to fight for Moscow. But the list of those involved clearly shows that the Kremlin wants to pull China into the war.”
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