Taking place near the russian border, the drills have a clear goal: to strengthen combat interoperability, build trust within the Alliance, and demonstrate readiness to respond rapidly and decisively.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, citing NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the exercises are currently in full swing.
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Allied forces are closely cooperating with the Estonian Defence Forces and the volunteer Defence League Kaitseliit, training under conditions of high operational tension and elevated threat levels.
As reported by Estonian military sources and international outlets (ERR, Euractiv), Hedgehog 2025 is among the largest military drills in the Baltic region this year. Running from May 5 to May 23, the exercise involves over 16,000 Estonian troops, reservists, and volunteers, along with units from more than 10 NATO countries — including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, and others.
The objective is clear: synchronize operational planning and execution, enhance interoperability, and send an unmistakable message — any aggression will trigger an immediate response. According to the exercise scenario, russian troops cross the border, activating Article 5 of the NATO Charter on collective defense.
“Joint training ensures NATO forces can react swiftly and effectively when it matters most,” SHAPE emphasized. The drills cover the full spectrum of combat readiness: troop deployment, coordination, night maneuvers, and nonstop live-fire exercises.
A formidable arsenal is in play: Challenger 2 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and artillery systems — including U.S.-supplied HIMARS. Special attention is paid to rapid troop mobility, such as helicopter-borne air assault using CH-47 Chinooks.
Meanwhile, Estonia is reinforcing its defenses: with hundreds of new bunkers already under construction along the russian border. It’s a consistent policy of deterrence, backed not just by rhetoric, but by tangible military action.
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