Estonia's Defense Against Russian Threat

A Unique Celebration Amidst Concerns

The Home Cafe Days, known as Kodukohvikute päevad in Estonian, are a cherished summer event on the island of Hiiumaa. Every August, residents open their homes for three days, offering home-baked cakes, smoked fish, and homemade beer. This festival is a celebration of the short summer season, filled with children's laughter and pop music.

Ave Ungro, 44, emphasizes the importance of this festival, especially during times of war. She believes it helps Estonians stay united through shared experiences, conversations, and discussions about the future. For her, the festival is as significant as the shooting lessons provided by the Women’s Voluntary Defense Organization, or Naiskodukaitse.

Ungro has been a member of Naiskodukaitse since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She recalls being in shock on February 24, 2022, realizing that life would no longer be the same. Since then, she has dedicated herself to preparing her family, island, and country for potential threats.

Preparing for the Worst

Ungro spends 48 hours a year training with Naiskodukaitse and has completed five different programs: safety, first aid, military skills, field catering, and the history of the Estonian volunteer defense league. While she has picked up a weapon, she has never used it. Her hope is that she will never have to use her military training, preferring instead to assist in evacuations if needed.

Naiskodukaitse was founded in 1927, banned during the Soviet era, and reestablished after Estonia regained independence in 1991. It is part of the Kaitseliit, a larger volunteer defense league that supports the regular armed forces during wartime. Both units report to the Estonian Defense Ministry.

Despite the strategic importance of Hiiumaa, which lies between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad, Ungro does not feel fear. She notes that while some Western media reports suggest otherwise, there is no sense of fear among Estonians.

Estonia's Commitment to Security

Marek Kohv from the International Center for Defence and Security doubts that Hiiumaa could become a second Crimea. He points out that Estonia, unlike Ukraine in 2014, invests heavily in security. Estonia, an EU member, already allocates 3.4% of its GDP to defense, with plans to increase this to 5.4% by 2029.

Kohv highlights the deep-rooted culture of self-defense in Estonia and the support from regional allies such as Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. He also emphasizes the importance of NATO membership, noting that any attack on Estonia would be considered an attack on NATO as a whole under Article 5.

He adds that Western military technology is superior to Russian technology, making the idea of a nuclear attack on Estonia seem unrealistic. The proximity of St. Petersburg, which would also be affected by radioactivity, makes such a threat less likely.

Real Threats and Sabotage Activities

Analysts point out that real threats, such as acts of sabotage, are more pressing than theoretical attacks. These include damage to undersea communication cables and GPS signal jamming, which can cause aircraft to disappear from radar.

In April 2024, two planes flying from Finland to Estonia had to return to Helsinki after their GPS signals were interfered with. Ships in the Baltic Sea have also faced similar issues, with increasing frequency. Western intelligence services suspect these activities are controlled from Kaliningrad.

Kaliningrad: A Strategic Threat

Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave, is described by political scientist Sergey Sukhankin as a "dagger pointed at Europe." He notes that the area stores military equipment, including nuclear-capable Iskander missiles. Once a bastion of the Soviet military, Kaliningrad is regaining its militarized status.

Ungro acknowledges the seriousness of these threats but remains committed to her island. After the festival, she showed a "secret spot" on the coast, a headland surrounded by water. She pointed out a sea eagle, highlighting the beauty of Hiiumaa and her desire for it to remain peaceful.

This article was originally written in German.