Estonia to Station Troops in Narva on Russian Border
The Estonian Defense Forces plan to establish a new military base in Narva on the border with Russia, a strategic city on the country’s East. More than 200 military personnel, including allied units, will be stationed there, The Gaze reports, citing ERR.
“The Commander of the Defense Forces announced this after consultations with parliamentary parties, and he received an unexpectedly positive response. Yes, we are partially represented in the city through the Defence League, but our goal is to place permanent units there. In this way, we will give a clear signal to the people of the city about the presence of the Estonian state,” Major General Vahur Carus, Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces, stated.
The new base will accommodate active-duty personnel, conscripts, and reservists. “If the training cycle allows, a unit going to Narva can take reservists with it for joint combat duty. The expected number of personnel is about 200-250,” the Chief of the General Staff of the Defense Forces added.
The move is seen as both a practical step in military strategy and a symbolic message reinforcing Estonia’s statehood and presence in the region.
Narva is the third-largest city in Estonia and the largest predominantly Russian-speaking city in the country. 88% of its population is Russian.
As The Gaze previously reported, the Estonian parliament has passed a law that will sever ties between religious institutions in Estonia and foreign entities deemed a threat to national security — a move widely seen as targeting the Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church.
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