KAITSELIIT

Estonia is militarily training its civilians, with the help of NATO, to defend itself against a possible Russian invasion. This civilian army is known as Kaitseliit.

In Estonia fears are intensifying that Moscow, after displaying its military power in Ukraine, Georgia and Syria, could have the Baltic states in its sights next.

The Defense League, Kaitseliit english name, is an Estonian civil organization whose aim is to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state. 16,000 male adult members, together with affiliated women organisation called “Women`s Voluntary Defence Organization”, children organizations “Young Eagles” and “Home Daughters”, the Estonian Defence League has 25,500 volunteers in action.

Estonian volunteers are training in extreme survival skills to prepare for a Russian invasion. The Kaitseliit has real military weapons, like any army, and also organizes field exercises with the official Estonian army.

The most famous trainings are those of Kevadtorm. Thousands of civilians are trained here, coordinating their forces with those of the official military army. But not only that, in this special annual training they also participate with NATO military forces, especially the United States military. Civilians are employed not only to have a greater number of people trained in the field, but also because, being all local, they know the territory better than anyone and know how to use it to stop the enemy's advance.