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The Defence Attaché To
Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Newsletter for the Baltics
Week 17
2015
The following information is gathered from open sources, mainly from the Baltic News Service
(BNS), respective defence ministries press releases and websites as well as various
newspapers, etc.
THE BALTICS
Lithuanian and Estonian foreign ministers call for continued pressure on Russia over Ukraine
The foreign ministers of Lithuania and Estonia met in Vilnius on 22 April, calling for continued
pressure upon Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Speaking at a joint news conference, Lithuania's
Linas Linkevicius and Estonia's Keit Pentus-Rosimannus said that it was too early to talk about a
breakthrough in the conflict: "We share our stance on Ukraine and we indeed demand
continued pressure and sanctions until full implementation of all Minsk accords. Regardless of
the recent optimistic comments, we have to state that the situation remains complex, it is still
too early to speak about some breakthrough, as the ceasefire is being violated on a daily basis,
even with human casualties" Linkevicius said.
Pentus-Rosimannus added that Russia should take responsibility for the developments in
Ukraine: "Actually, we should not call it a Ukraine crisis because it is the Russian aggression in
Ukraine that is the problem. And we share the common position that Minsk agreement must be
fully implemented. We keep on insisting that, having pressure to Russia and also do see that
Russia must fully assume their responsibilities" said the Estonian minister.
THE BALTICS AND RUSSIA/UKRAINE
Joint German and Latvian observation flight over Russia
As a part of the 1992 Treaty on Open Skies, a group of German and Latvian specialist carried out
observation flights over Russian and Belarus territory from 20-24 April. According to Russian
authorities, the specialists conducted the observation flight on board Swedish surveillance
aircraft SAAB-340, flying a previously-coordinated route, under supervision of Russian
inspectors.
The observational flight is facilitated under the Helsinki Treaty on Open Skies, which aims to
secure openness and transparency of military activities of the treaty’s member states.
Russian naval corvette near Baltic waters
On 22 April, Latvian National Armed Forces reported having observed the Russian Stoikiy 545
Steregushchy-class corvette 12 kilometres off Latvian territorial waters. The sighting coincides
with a visit to the Baltic Region by the Commander of the 6th U.S. Fleet, Vice Admiral James G.
Foggo, who attended meetings in Estonia on the particular day. Foggo visited Estonia to discuss
the current geo-political situation in the region, and the upcoming NATO BALTOPS exercise in
the Baltic Sea, which is scheduled for this summer.
Russian Navy submarine and anti-sub plane observed over the weekend
On 17 April, NATO jets scrambled to intercept a Russian anti-submarine and reconnaissance
aircraft, Ilyushin IL-38, in international airspace near Latvia’s territorial borders. Just two days
after, on April 19, Coast Guard patrols observed a Russian Navy Kilo-class submarine 15
kilometres off Latvia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This exact type of submarine is designed to
navigate in relatively shallow waters, such as the Baltic Sea, and can be equipped with an array
of torpedoes, mines, and anti-aircraft missiles.
According to news media, this weekend’s encounters mark the 34th time Russian military vessels
have been observed near the Baltics.
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THE BALTICS AND AFGHANISTAN
Estonia's Tarmo Miilits named EUPOL deputy chief in Afghanistan
Tarmo Miilits, so far head of the police component of the European Union Police Mission in
Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan) has been appointed deputy head of EUPOL Afghanistan.
The Estonian minister of foreign affairs, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, described the appointment of
Miilits as deputy head of EUPOL Afghanistan as a big recognition for Estonia and the Estonian
Police and Border Guard Board: "This is the most senior position that an Estonian expert has
attained on a mission so far" the minister said. "The activity of EUPOL and international support
for training the Afghan police are very necessary from the viewpoint of the security situation
and stable future of Afghanistan" she said.
Miilits served as deputy director general of the Estonian police responsible for law enforcement
until August 2013. He joined EUPOL Afghanistan as head of the field component in December
2013 and was appointed head of the police component in July 2014.
THE BALTICS AND EXERCISES
NATO air forces exercise in Baltic air space
On 21-22 April, the NATO command base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, organised a military
air exercise in Baltic air space, the Baltic Regional Training Event, in collaboration with the
National Armed Forces of Latvia. The exercise is the largest air based exercise in the Baltics ever
conducted, with participation of ten NATO member states - Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Spain and United States, along with two ‘Partnership for
Peace’ member states – Finland and Sweden.
The purpose of the exercise was to train rapid alert reaction functions of air force units
participating in the Baltic Policing Mission and to improve air support functions. The main part of
the exercise took place over the Latvian Adazi military training area.
Teams from 16 countries takes part in NATO cyber defence drills
The Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence hosts the annual
Locked Shields exercise in cyber defence, where teams from 16 countries will measure their
skills in solving technical cyber incidents.
Held annually since 2010, Locked Shields is a real-time network defence exercise that according
to the available information is the biggest of its kind in the world. The exercise is unique in using
realistic technologies, networks and attack methods. This year the exercise will involve
altogether 400 people.
Lt. Col. Artur Suzik, chief of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence, said the
exercise helps professionals hone their skills in coping in a constantly changing environment:
"Since implementing the experience obtained in the exercise in our day-to-day work is the main
goal of the exercise, we will use realistic technologies and attack vectors to put the experts to a
test".
The training audience of the exercise is the national Blue Teams: computer emergency response
specialists, playing the role of the rapid reaction teams of the fictional country of Berlya. In
addition to technical and forensic challenges, Locked Shields also includes media and legal
injects that add real-world considerations. Locked Shields thus provides insight into how
complex a modern cyber defence crisis can be, and what is required from nations in order to be
able to cope with the threats.
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Estonia: Military exercise involving 2,000 personnel kicks off
Two thousand conscript and active duty personnel, as well as reservists from the 1st Infantry
Brigade along with allied soldiers, started a five-day exercise, ‘Tornaado’, at the defence forces'
central training ground. This environed on 20 April to test their readiness for the large-scale
military exercise Siil ("Hedgehog").
In the course of the exercise units hone their skills in moving from military compounds to places
of deployment and capture of sites set out under the scenario of the exercise. Besides active
duty personnel and conscripts have to recapture areas of land taken by the enemy. The role of
enemy is played by the company of U.S. airborne troops stationed in Estonia.
Participants in the exercise use MILES laser vest systems borrowed from the United States
armed forces. MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) is a simulation system
made up of a laser vest and a laser module mounted to the barrel of a real weapon, which fires a
coded laser burst in the direction that a shot using a blank cartridge was made in, giving the
shooter feedback about the accuracy of fire.
Dynamic Mercy 2015 takes place in Baltic Sea
This week, the international naval exercise ‘Dynamic Mercy 2015’ took place in the Baltic Sea.
The exercise was organized by NATO’s Naval Forces Command, with the participation of
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and ‘Partnership for Peace’ member – Sweden. The exercise aimed at
improving Baltic Sea countries’ cooperation in large-scale search and rescue missions, and
included two separate scenarios involving four coast guard ships, three helicopters and one
aircraft.
NATO Special Operation Forces training event kicks off in Estonia
On 15 April, NATO is honing Special Forces’ command skills in a situation where evolving crisis
calls for prompt intervention by allied troops. The exercise runs until 27 April and is directed by a
deployable command element of the Special Operations Headquarters, whose task is to
coordinate the activity of Special Forces in several different countries. This is the first time such
a training event is conducted outside Mons, Belgium where the Special Operations
Headquarters is located.
LITHUANIA
Lithuanian army testing mobilization system
On 23 April, The Lithuanian army is testing its mobilization system. Having received conscription
notices, 1,000 prepared reserve troops from Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys and Marijampole
Counties have to report to pre-identified conscription units for an information update and
medical check-up. The army says it has to know what percentage of mobilized conscripts would
report to conscription units in time, if needed.
The mobilization system test marks the start of the national Exercise Lightning Strike involving
over 3,000 troops, officers and staff of the Lithuanian army, the Ministries of National Defence,
the Interior and Health, municipalities and the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union.
A tactical field exercise will be held on 4-10 May, and will involve practical testing of the cyber
protection system as well as simulation of various emergency situations and incidents that, in
terms of their nature, are not comparable to acts of aggression. Besides other elements, a risk
of attack against the LNG terminal and Palanga Airport will be simulated. The operations will be
led by Klaipeda police supported by the army.
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9 out of 10 reserve troops fit for service
Mobilization check at 23 April has revealed that 9 out of 10 reserve troops would be fit for
military service in Lithuania, the army's representatives said. Some 250 reserve troops were
invited to conscription centres in four cities of Lithuania on Thursday for verification of personal
data and health check-ups. Captain Donatas Suchockis, public relations officer at the Lithuanian
Army's Joint Staff, said: "Among those who came, between 10 and 20 persons are not suitable
(…). The results are rather good, as we did not know what to expect from the first exercise of
the type. Our expectations have been met, the mood is rather good, they understand what they
came for and their motivation is rather high". Zilvinas Zilvys, commander of the Klaipeda
regional conscription division, said that "over 90 percent" are fit for military service, and
continued "I believe the percentage is high”.
Over 200 German troops come to Lithuania for exercise
Over 200 German troops have on 21 April arrived in Lithuania for a joint training and exercise.
Together with units of the Lithuanian Land Forces, they will attend a joint exercise, the Defence
Ministry said. The German troops have brought about 80 pieces of various military equipment,
including Boxer armoured fighting vehicles, Fuchs reconnaissance vehicles, military SUVs and
trucks. The group will train in Lithuania until July. Along with soldiers of the Mechanized Infantry
Battalion of Duke Vaidotas, they will attend national and international exercises held in Lithuania
along with US and Portuguese troops.
Another German group is coming to Lithuania in the fall. A total of more than 500 German
soldiers are expected in Lithuania throughout 2015.
Lithuania plans to send experts to Ukraine's Defence Ministry
On 20 April, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas said, that Lithuania plans to
send its experts to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence: "We have agreed to send our experts not only
to army units but also to the ministry to share our experience of being a NATO member". In his
words, Vilnius plans to delegate "several" experts who would include both military and civilians.
They would help to "resolve problems arising on the strategic level," Olekas said.
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The Lithuanian defence minister also said he and the Ukrainian minister discussed the possibility
for Ukrainian troops to study in Lithuania, and also the treatment of Ukrainian troops in
Lithuania.
The meetings also touched upon the trilateral Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade
(LITPOLUKRBRIG). In his words, the countries hope to "as early as this summer start joint work
at the headquarters" situate in the Polish city of Lublin.
According to the Lithuanian defence minister, the existing situation in eastern Ukraine is
relatively peaceful, despite almost daily violations of the truce: "The situation is calmer,
compared to what we had before the truce declaration. Unfortunately, violations take place
daily".
LATVIA
Vejonis on working visit to United States
From 18-23 April, Latvian Defence Minister Raimonds Vejonis, conducted at working visit to the
U.S. Vejonis used the visit to meet with top military officials, and discuss regional security
challenges and possible solutions to reduce Baltic security risks. He further met with U.S.
Senators to consider grounds for further military cooperation between Latvia and the U.S.
Lastly, Vejonis paid a visit to a U.S Army base in Georgia to meet with U.S. servicemen previously
stationed in Latvia.
Latvian CHOD meets with USAREUR commander
Latvian Chief of Defence, Lt. Gen. Raimonds Graube, met with U.S. Army commander in Europe,
Lt. Gen. Frederick Hodges on 20 April. The two military commanders met in the German city of
Wiesbaden and took the opportunity to discuss future strategic perspectives for cooperation
between the Latvian and U.S. armed forces in Europe, especially within the framework of
Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Graube also enganged in discussions regarding the new ‘Strong Europe’ concept, issues
concerning military training exercises, the ongoing rotation of NATO forces in the Baltics, and
earmed forces compatibility goals.
ESTONIA
Estonia's Kohver additionally charged with smuggling, illegal border-crossing in Russia
During an interrogation on 17 April, Russian prosecutors filed new charges having to do with the
smuggling of a firearm and illegal crossing of the Russian border against the Estonian Internal
Security Service (ISS) staffer Eston Kohver being kept in the Lefortovo prison in Moscow.
Furthermore Yevgeni Aksyonov, Kohver's Russia-appointed defence lawyer, added: "Kohver
was shown altogether nine episodes of him crossing the Russian national border at different
times, moving from Estonia to Russia and back that is…”.
The Estonian Internal Security Service said on Sept. 5, 2014 that a member of their staff had
been deprived of his freedom on Estonian territory near the checkpoint of Luhamaa on the
Estonian-Russian border and taken to Russia by unidentified individuals coming from Russia at 9
a.m. that morning. The official, who was performing official duties related to the prevention of
cross-border crime, was taken to Russia at gunpoint using physical force. The abduction was
preceded by interference of operational radio communication and use of a smoke grenade from
the direction of Russia.
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100-day plan calls for boosting host nation support, border guard capabilities
Of measures concerning security, the First 100 Days Plan of the new Estonian government
focuses on hosting allied forces and strengthening of the border guard. The plan for the
government's first 100 days in office, or the period until 17 July, lists altogether five activities to
strengthen Estonia's security.
In the first of them the government pledges to keep military defence spending on a level of at
least 2 percent of GDP. The second point sets out additional activities by Estonia to finance host
nation activities which create preconditions for the permanent presence of allies in Estonia. As
the third activity the government intends, within the framework of the operational program of
the Internal Security Development Plan, to strengthen the capability of coordinating the border
guard in the Interior Ministry, implement a new system of e-police, increase the presence of area
police, give priority to work areas next to the eastern border, attach value to motivated
volunteers, and ensure stable growth in funding for volunteer ground and maritime rescuers,
neighbourhood watch and assistant police personnel. As the fourth activity infrastructure would
be developed for the acceptance of allied units to be deployed to Estonia, deployment of NATO
Force Integration Units (NFIUs) and storing of prepositioned equipment. The fifth activity would
be the creation of border guard rapid response units.
Newsletter was prepared by Katja Nørgaard Hansen (intern, Tallinn), Emil Bargmann Madsen
(intern, Riga) & Morten Grandahl (intern, Vilnius)
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