This escalation follows a broader effort by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to prepare for conflict without immediate U.S. military assistance. As part of this strategy, the Baltic states are hardening borders and expanding civilian defense units, with membership in the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union reaching about 20,000 after doubling since 2022. Lithuania's defense spending is projected to reach 5.38% of its GDP this year.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Estonia Plans Deep Strikes in Russia for New Active Defence
War16 days ago
Estonian military officials are relocating combat personnel closer to the border to conduct offensive maneuvers into Russian territory if the country is attacked. The shift toward an active defense strategy comes as Estonian officials state that current deterrence measures from both the Baltic state and NATO are failing to prevent a potential opportunistic gamble by the Kremlin.
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