Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Estonia has seen an increase in its volunteer army. They have a clear message for the UK and the other NATO members: get up and go training.
The volunteers, most of whom were middle-aged fathers with the occasional mother, advised British citizens to think about getting off their couches and learning how to defend themselves as the Russian danger increases.
It is reminiscent of a rallying call made by the departing leader of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, last month, who stated that training people to fight in a future conflict was necessary. Rishi Sunak’s government quickly rejected this notion.
Leading the Estonian Defence League forces on the island of Hiiuma is Major Tanel Kapper. “You know, we love our freedom,” he stated.
As he spoke, his soldiers maneuvered into a cluster of tall, slender pine trees, bowed down, and fired their guns, starting a firefight.
“We don’t want to lose freedom again since we already lost it once. If you are not prepared to defend yourself, it is incorrect to believe that someone else will enter your conflict.”
