• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Instructors from the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League arrived in Poland to train Ukrainian military personnel

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

5. September 2025, 17:47

As part of the Nordic and Baltic training initiative Legio, the Estonian Defence Forces have sent a team of up to 10 active duty and reserve military personnel, and members of the Estonian Defence League, to Poland to train Ukrainian soldiers.

"The aim of training initiative Legio is to support the Ukrainians in their war against the aggressor in the best possible way, and in accordance with Ukraine's needs. Estonia is contributing with its active duty and reserve soldiers to support the maintenance and development of the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is our opportunity and obligation as a reliable friend of Ukraine," said Captain Silver Kuldkepp, commander of the Estonian unit participating in the training initiative.

Estonia is contributing with a team of up to 10 active duty and reserve service members, and members of the Estonian Defence League, who have volunteered to participate. The training focuses on improving soldiers' basic and combat skills, and is designed based on the requests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. One training cycle lasts for two months.

"We are pleased to be in Poland from the very beginning, from the first rotation. Estonia's quick decision to participate has already been recognized here," added Captain Silver Kuldkepp.

Estonia has previously participated in the UK-led training initiative Interflex, with currently its nineth rotation, as of 2024, conducting the training in the United Kingdom. As of September, this year, training initiative Interflex will be reorganized, and Estonia will end its contribution. Instead, Estonia will start contributing with instructors to training initiative Legio, carried out by the Nordic-Baltic cooperation format (NB8).

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Estonia has provided military training to approximately 2,000 Ukrainian troops. Based on the experience from training initiative Interflex, utilizing a team comprising of active duty service members, reservists, and members of the Estonian Defence League as instructors at training initiatives is effective and beneficial for all parties.

Estonia decided to join the Norwegian-led and coordinated international training initiative Legio in June 2025. The aim of the training initiative is to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine through providing requested military training and equipment for a brigade-size unit. The training initiative is a joint effort between the Nordic and Baltic countries.