Estonia has officially conducted its first live-fire exercise with its recently received HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) from the United States, which represents a significant landmark in its defense preparedness. The training occurred earlier this month on the islands of Saaremaa and Undva located about 80 km from the Baltic Sea.
The drills included Estonian soldiers alongside American military advisors. Officials stated that Estonia can now operate and conduct HIMARS systems, without assistance.
All of these drills are in alignment with NATO's comprehensive plan to bolster its eastern defenses (amongst other reasons) based upon its concerns of Russia's military actions in the region. Estonia's Ministry of Defence said it was a goal to train forces but also demonstrate in word and deed that Estonia was ready and prepared to defend itself.
Russia expressly criticized the drills denouncing it as a "provocation" as articulated by Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov and claimed that Moscow would take action to protect Moscow's regional interests. Estonia defended the exercise and "these events" stating it is what must be done to protect the country.
Whatever the case and regardless how hostilities rise, Estonia is clearly demonstrating it will and must bolster its military resolve and work to deter aggression closer to its borders, which is also a signal to NATO and allied leaders.
Estonia doesn't actually believe Russia will ever attack.
— Margarita Simonyan (@M_Simonyan) July 11, 2025
Or it wouldn't be showing off its first HIMARS, which everyone knows have been entirely ineffective in Ukraine since 2023.
We are happy our neighbors have come to their senses. pic.twitter.com/V5VPVkrFb5
Estonia Links Arson Attacks to Russian Intelligence and Revises Economic Data
Court confirms Russian complicity in Tallinn fires; economy undergoing correction
There are security and economic implications for Estonia's government at present. An Estonian court recently stated that Russian military intelligence, the GRU, was responsible for two arson attacks in Tallinn, which occurred earlier this year. The attacks targeted a Ukrainian restaurant, and a supermarket.
Penalties were handed down to two Moldovan nationals: one received a 6.5 year sentence while the other received 2.5 years. Officials describe these attacks as part of Russia's intimidation campaign against communities that would support Ukraine.
Estonia is also facing the second challenge of correcting a number of data issues within its economy. The government has stated its previous figures on inflation and GDP were inaccurate. Inflation was overstated, while the growth of GDP was understated. The government is now working on a new method for gauging national statistics in the hope that such errors are not repeated.
In order to address public finances, the government increased the VAT (Value Added Tax) rate from 22 to 24%, effective from July 1 of this year. Despite the complications, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appears cautiously optimistic.
The IMF believes the economy will grow by 0.5% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026. Although the recovery will be slow, it will be steady.
