Addressing the potential risk of Russian invasion, Estonia’s strategies for safeguarding its people and sovereignty have come to the forefront.

The summer highlight on the island of Hiiumaa in Estonia is the Home Cafe Days, or Kodukohvikute paevad, where residents open up their homes for three days in August, offering home-baked cakes, smoked fish, and brewed beer, amid children’s laughter and pop music. Ave Ungro, 44, thinks that this festival is “extremely important,” and even more so now during war times as it helps the Estonians stick together and celebrate their short summer. She also mentioned the importance of shooting lessons provided by the Women’s Voluntary Defense Organization, or Naiskodukaits, where she has been a member since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Encoding her new life, Ungro decided to train with Naiskodukaits with the wish that she might never have to use it in the future. Estonia’s culture of self-defense is deep-rooted, and they have invested and are still investing a significant amount of their GDP in defense. Despite Russia’s possible attack, Estonia’s membership of NATO and its Western military technology have made it a less likely threat. GPS jamming and sabotage have been a reality, but the residents of Hiiumaa, like Ungro, are resolute to not abandon their “magical” place.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/how-estonians-are-managing-the-threat-of-a-russian-invasion/a-73724598?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf