Large-scale exercises will run across Estonia and northeastern Latvia through June, focusing on defensive planning, border cooperation and lessons from the Russia‑Ukraine war.
On Monday, May 4, Estonia began the military exercise ‘Spring Storm-2026’, which includes lessons on the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
According to the organizers, the main goal of this year’s exercises is to practice planning and conducting defensive operations together with the Estonian division and partner forces under conventional-war conditions. It is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Estonian units and allied countries with the participation of other branches of the armed forces and leadership.
‘Spring Storm-2026’ will run from May 4 to June 1 and will largely take place in a number of cities across the country, as well as in the northeastern part of Latvia.
Partial participation on Latvian territory will help strengthen border cooperation and the joint rehearsal of actions in the border region.
In the training battles near Latvia, units from Estonia, the United Kingdom, France, and Latvia are involved.
Context and International Cooperation
The training plan includes reviewing lessons based on the war started by Russia against Ukraine, with a focus on defensive actions and the use of unmanned systems.
Spring Storm-2026 is among the largest military exercises this year; the first such exercises were held back in 2003.
In Turkey, the active phase of EFES-2026 is currently underway, with 45 countries participating.
Such exercises emphasize efforts to strengthen cooperation among allies and bolster regional security.
Spring Storm-2026
– the exercise press service