The key facts

  • NATO fighter flights in Estonia are scheduled from November 9 to 15, coordinated with the civil air traffic service.
  • On November 6, the Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26 exercises began in Lithuania with brigades from eight countries.
  • In late October, about 3,000 troops of a NATO brigade began the Resolute Reforger 2026 maneuvers in Latvia.

Training flights in Estonia

NATO aircraft will conduct fighter training flights in Estonian airspace this week. According to the General Staff of the republic's Defence Forces, aircraft based in the Baltic states will fly from November 9 to 15, with their routes coordinated with the civil air traffic service.

A series of exercises in the Baltics

The flights in Estonia come amid a string of Alliance maneuvers in the region. On November 6, NATO exercises Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26began in Lithuania, involving combat brigades from Lithuania, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Czech Republic, as well as Croatia, Belgium and Luxembourg. The stated goals are to increase troop readiness, improve operational planning and enhance cooperation between allies.

Maneuvers near the border

Back in late October, about 3,000 troops of a NATO multinational brigade began the Resolute Reforger 2026 maneuvers in eastern Latvia, near the Russian border. Thus, in less than three weeks, NATO military activities have taken place in succession in all three Baltic countries — Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: from a land brigade maneuver to exercises in Lithuania and training flights in Estonian airspace. According to Gazeta.Ru, Estonia and NATO had previously already held exercises near Russia's borders.