Estonia equips itself at the Russian border: "Can advance faster"

Estonia's defense forces are permanently moving forces closer to the Russian border to strengthen their defenses, the Financial Times reports. The forces are being moved from Tapa, which is 130 kilometers from the border, to Jõhvi, just 50 kilometers from the border.

- What you gain from this is that you can advance faster to the border, says Johan Huovinen, a teacher at the Norwegian Defense University.

In addition to the base in Jõhvi, a new base is being built in Narva, near the Russian border. The base will house 200 soldiers permanently and have room for another 800 soldiers if necessary, according to the Financial Times.

The country's military intelligence service does not consider it likely that Moscow will launch a full-scale attack on NATO within the next two years. At the same time, they fear a smaller attack to "test" the defense of the military alliance.

The military is particularly concerned that areas near the border, such as the Russian-speaking Narva, could become the target of a Russian attack.

- The goal would ultimately be to test Estonia's national ability, but ultimately also NATO's ability, says Johan Huovinen.

Huovinen assesses that a possible Russian attack on Estonia would only be relevant a few years after the Ukraine war is over. Finland has previously warned that Russian troops could be regrouped north when the war is over.

- You can see this as Estonian continued preparations against a future Russian threat, says Johan Huovinen.

Such an attack would be limited, but could still include ground troops as well as drone, robotic and air strikes, as it would be necessary to stop the Estonian defenses.

- You could also use the Baltic Fleet and shoot at a port city, says Huovinen.

After witnessing Russia's war in Ukraine, Tallinn has learned that the Russians do not easily give up the land they have taken control of. For a small country like Estonia, it is a worrying conclusion, writes the Financial Times.

At the same time, the NATO country Estonia is one of the member states that invests the most in its defense. About 5.4 percent of the country's GDP is estimated to go to the defense budget this year, which is above NATO's target for 2035 and almost double the Swedish figure for 2026, 2.8 percent.

Estonia has no air force of its own and must therefore rely on allies. NATO has combat aircraft deployed in Estonia as well as Latvia and Lithuania.

Britain, which has troops in the country, has committed to increasing the number of troops in Estonia from 800 to 1,200 next year.

- That is the great guarantee for Estonia, that they have a great nation behind them. The Baltic countries are well integrated into NATO structures, perhaps more than any other country, says Johan Huovinen.

How worried about a Russian attack should Estonia be?

- Not immediately terrified, but it is clear that you have to gain altitude, he says.