Estonia is shifting to “active defense” near its border with Russia, the Financial Times (FT) reports, describing the restructuring of its armed forces as “quiet but radical.” Moscow denies having plans to attack NATO countries.

Axar.az reports, citing RBC, that Estonia is moving elite troops to permanent positions closer to the border with Russia and restructuring its defense strategy in preparation for potential combat, shifting toward “active defense.” The Financial Times (FT) reports this, citing representatives of the Estonian armed forces, intelligence services and Ministry of Defence.

Estonia’s military and intelligence leadership does not believe that Moscow intends to launch a full-scale conflict with NATO within the next two years. At the same time, they believe that the country’s eastern border is not adequately protected.

This has prompted Tallinn to adopt an “active defense” strategy, which was incorporated into the national security concept in May. It envisages defending the country’s territory directly along the border with Russia, the FT reports, describing the restructuring of Estonia’s defense strategy as “quiet but radical.”

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