19.09.26 NEWS ... The pseudo‑elections that began in Russia on Friday do not directly affect Estonia, according to foreign‑policy experts Rainer Saks, Karmo Tüür and Marko Mihkelson. What is interesting, they noted, is how many Russian citizens living in Estonia will go vote for the State Duma.

17.09.26 NEWS ... The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, said that Russia's increasing hybrid attacks, acts of sabotage, and stray drones are aimed at frightening the residents of European countries and deterring them from supporting Ukraine.

17.09.26 NEWS ... Former Defense Ministry Secretary General Kusti Salm told ERR about how the contract with Datasel was signed. He stressed that the defense minister bears responsibility for decisions made in procuring ammunition for Ukraine.

16.09.26 NEWS ... Income Defense Minister Martin Herem told ERR that his first priority is to understand the Defense Forces' inventory accounting process and devise new solutions to improve the situation.

16.09.26 NEWS ... Estonia's ambassador to the United States, Hannes Hanso, presented his credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the White House. In addition to Estonia, ambassadors from 13 other countries also presented their credentials.

16.09.26 NEWS ... A plea agreement was struck on day one of the trial of a pro-Kremlin propagandist charged with activities harmful to Estonia's national security.

16.09.26 NEWS ... The State Defense Investment Centre (RKIK) has rejected a proposal by arms firm Datasel to resolve an ongoing dispute through a joint working group, noting the financing period for the contracts has expired.

15.09.26 NEWS ... Silvery balls spotted hovering in the skies above Tartu are blimp drones being used as part of a demonstration event, Maaleht reported.

15.09.26 NEWS ... India‑owned Datasel says it is ready to resolve a dispute over ammunition deliveries and meet Estonia's quality and quantity requirements, according to a proposal sent to the government and the Ministry of Defense.

15.09.26 NEWS ... Russia is attacking Ukraine with increasing force, and since Russian leader Vladimir Putin assumes that Russia can endure longer, it is not particularly likely that he will ever seek to conclude a peace agreement with Ukraine, says Kristi Raik, director of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS).

15.09.26 OPINION ... If Estonia or European taxpayers were defrauded while helping Ukraine, prosecutors must establish that, not politically charged Riigikogu committees, said outgoing Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.

15.09.26 NEWS ... NATO fighter jets downing a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight was a first of a kind for the newly upgraded Baltic Air Defense mission, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said.

15.09.26 NEWS ... A competition for service dogs and their handlers in narcotics detection was held on Monday in Jõhvi, bringing together 17 service dogs at Viru Prison. Competition days are special for both members of each team, dog handlers say.

15.09.26 NEWS ... The Arctic is becoming an increasingly important part of European security and Russia's activities in the region are heightening risks, Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) said Monday.

15.09.26 NEWS ... Estonia is in talks with France to join its enhanced nuclear deterrence initiative, Prime Minister Kristen Michal told AFP in Rovaniemi.

14.09.26 NEWS ... Lawmakers continued examining problems with Estonia's defense procurement and financial management Monday, focusing on the role of Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur in controversial ammunition deals.

14.09.26 NEWS ... Former Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) Director General Magnus-Valdemar Saar has alleged that outgoing Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur personally pushed for several defense procurement deals and rejected a proposal to halt the arrangement.

14.09.26 NEWS ... Defense minister candidate Martin Herem can bring data-driven decision-making to a sector where things have been moving too slowly, an Eesti 200 MP said Monday.

14.09.26 NEWS ... Incoming Defense Minister Martin Herem tells ERR in an interview that he will lead the Ministry of Defense as a politician, not meddle in the work of the EDF commander and terminate any private sector contracts that could pose a conflict of interest.

14.09.26 NEWS ... Estonian politicians and leaders were traveling by train through western Ukraine shortly before a Russian drone struck a station near the Polish border, Delfi reported.

13.09.26 NEWS ... Amid critics' concerns about the appointment, Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) says Herem knows where he still has work to do as Estonia's next defense minister.

13.09.26 NEWS ... Brig. Jamie Murray, commander of the British contingent in Estonia, says close U.K.-Estonia ties and NATO readiness are key to deterring Russia and adapting to modern warfare.

13.09.26 NEWS ... Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) ex-chief Martin Herem's selection as Estonia's next defense minister has some defense experts troubled over industry ties and procurement plans.

12.09.26 OPINION ... Recent events in the defense sector reminded us how essential independent oversight of state spending and civilian control over defense institutions truly is. Public trust depends on knowing that our money — and the assets purchased with it — are used responsibly, writes Külli Taro.

10.09.26 NEWS ... At its Thursday session, the government dismissed Ministry of Defense permanent secretary Kaimo Kuusk from his position.

12.09.26 NEWS ... One of Estonia's main diplomatic goals is to achieve international measures that would have irreversible effects on Russia. Despite the fact that not all allies have been convinced yet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not consider its efforts a failure, secretary general Jonatan Vseviov said.

11.09.26 NEWS ... Ukraine carried out a strike on Wednesday, September 9, against the Novy Urengoy gas condensate plant in the Yamalo‑Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a site previously considered out of reach.

11.09.26 NEWS ... The government's move to dismiss Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk before the new minister takes office should not become a precedent, said longtime secretary general Marika Priske, who warned the rule is meant to shield the civil service from politicization.

11.09.26 NEWS ... The future defense minister should not make what amounts to a political request to the intelligence services to alter their threat assessment of Estonia's security, outgoing Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

11.09.26 NEWS ... Incoming Defense Minister Martin Herem says Russia could use an unknown level of military force against Estonia a year from now, meaning Estonia must assess whether its preparations are sufficient.

10.09.26 NEWS ... Estonia's air defense capability has been significantly beefed up by the recent arrival of a contingent of Spanish Air Force F/A‑18 Hornets.

10.09.26 NEWS ... This week, a large crisis exercise called Ars Longa is taking place in Tallinn, during which the Art Museum of Estonia and the National Heritage Board practice evacuating the country's most valuable museum objects.

10.09.26 OPINION ... Strengthening Estonia's defense capabilities is commendable, but we must now turn our attention to the powers the prime minister is prepared to grant the next defense minister to achieve that goal, write Meelis Kiili, Vello Loemaa, Riho Ühtegi, Margus Koplimägi, Leo Kunnas and Neeme Väli.

10.09.26 NEWS ... The European Public Prosecutor's Office will investigate transactions between the Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) and Datasel after Estonian prosecutors found grounds to suspect a possible crime.

10.09.26 NEWS ... Old fishing nets from Saaremaa are finding a new use in Ukraine, where they are being deployed as makeshift protection against Russian drones.

10.09.26 NEWS ... Former Estonian Center for Defense Investment (RKIK) chief Magnus-Valdemar Saar says the link to Indian‑owned Datasel for shell procurement came through the defense minister, a claim both the minister and the intermediary deny.

10.09.26 NEWS ... Representatives of all six Riigikogu parties debated the fallout from the defense procurement scandal which led to a ministerial resignation last week.

10.09.26 NEWS ... Recent personnel changes at the Ministry of Defense reflect a long-running conflict between two camps within Estonia's defense establishment, says Madis Hindre.

09.09.26 OPINION ... It cannot be said that NATO is sitting helplessly with its hands in its lap, fearfully waiting for a Russian attack. Preparations are underway — only the media pays little attention to them, because headlines suggesting an imminent catastrophe sell better, writes Peeter Kaldre.

09.09.26 NEWS ... Datasel is calling on the Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) to hold talks, as the goods were manufactured and delivered and allegations concerning their quality remain disputed, a Datasel spokesperson said in a written statement.

08.09.26 NEWS ... The Reform Party's invite to former Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) commander General Martin Herem to be the next defense minister may be an effort by the party to shore up its reputation, opposition Social Democratic Party leader Lauri Läänemets said.

07.09.26 NEWS ... The Estonian Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) is unable to provide documentation showing how it selected Datasel S.R.L., the company with which it signed an approximately €70 million contract to purchase ammunition.

08.09.26 NEWS ... Czech ammunition manufacturer STV Group told Delfi that Indian company Datasel, with which Estonia signed a contract, is a textbook example of a fraudulent company. STV Group has also been defrauded by Datasel and left without the goods it ordered.

07.09.26 NEWS ... The name of the new defense minister should be known by next week, says Reform Party secretary‑general Kristo Enn Vaga. The Reform Party will also discuss the topic at Wednesday's board meeting.

07.09.26 NEWS ... A serious accident occurred Monday at the Estonian Defense Forces' Central Training Area near Tapa, injuring five people, ERR has learned.

07.09.26 NEWS ... Russia is losing more troops in Ukraine each month than it can replace, as evidenced by the absence of a major summer offensive by Russia this month, Estonian Defense Forces Lieutenant Colonel Mattias Puusepp said.

07.09.26 NEWS ... The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) said Sunday evening it temporarily closed a border crossing in southeast Estonia. The checkpoint has since been reopened.

05.09.26 NEWS ... In the city of Pärnu, work continued on Saturday to eliminate the consequences of the flooding that hit the city on Friday, with the most critical situation in the beach district and the Rääma neighborhood.

05.09.26 NEWS ... Riigi Kinnisvara (RKAS) is ordering shelter plans and proposals for how rooms could be adapted for up to 400 buildings, and the expected cost is €520,000.

04.09.26 NEWS ... Russia has shifted its long‑range strike tactics against Ukraine, moving from dense nighttime barrages to longer, round‑the‑clock attacks with fewer strike assets, said Gert Kaju, head of the Ministry of Defense's readiness department.