On Monday, May 6th, the annual military exercise Spring Storm started, with nearly 14,000 participants from Estonia and allied countries.
This year’s exercise aims to practice carrying out defensive operations in conventional warfare conditions through the cooperation of the Estonian division and allies, incorporating other branches of the military and command structures. The primary units participating in the training are the 2nd Infantry Brigade and the Territorial Defence Region West.
The Spring Storm exercise takes place from May 6th to 17th, mainly in Pärnu County, Lääne County, Saare County, Hiiu County, and Mulgi Parish in Viljandi County. Increased movement and activity of the defence forces and allied units will be noticeable in various parts of Estonia before, during, and after the exercise.
Throughout the exercise, various simulation tools will be used, including blank cartridges, training grenades, and flares. The use of heavy equipment, aircraft, and simulation tools may cause more noise than usual. As loud noises can disturb both children and domestic animals, the defence forces request that noise-sensitive animals be kept indoors where possible and that children be explained the cause of the noise.
Participants of the exercise will do everything possible to avoid damage to infrastructure. However, it is not always possible to completely prevent or rule out damages. If someone’s property is accidentally damaged, the defence forces ask that the damages be documented and contact made with the civilian-military cooperation team at [email protected] or +372 5745 0884.
This year, for the first time, Spring Storm will practice delivering hazard notifications to the population in cooperation with the Rescue Board and Emergency Response Center. The defence forces, Rescue Board, and Emergency Response Center have collaborated extensively to ensure that notifications of danger are automatic, swift, and that all parties can properly use the necessary notification systems. Messages communicated during the exercise will concern changes in traffic management or the use of sirens, which do not require a response.
Additionally, traffic adjustments will occur from May 13th to 17th due to the establishment of a control checkpoint:
On Highway 6 from Abja-Paluoja to Kilingi-Nõmme, the road will be closed from 0600 to 2200 and open from 2200 to 0600.
On Road 24181 from Abja-Paluoja to Sarja to Tõlla, the road will follow the same schedule.
In both cases, the control checkpoint area is active in both directions and traffic is rerouted by the military. Quick passage is guaranteed for emergency vehicles, public transportation, and local residents. Detailed information on traffic changes can be found in the “Tark Tee” application.
In addition to road closures, the defence forces will also realistically practice evacuating people from danger zones during the Spring Storm exercise, in cooperation with the Rescue Board. The evacuation drill will be carried out in Kilingi-Nõmme on May 14th, with role players who will actually be evacuated.
Spring Storm is the defence forces’ largest annual exercise, which practices the planning and implementation of military operations and enhances cooperation between Estonian and allied units. Participants include active-duty soldiers, conscripts, reservists, volunteer defence league members, and allied soldiers.
The exercise is planned and led by the Estonian division. During Spring Storm, defensive activities with the defence forces and participating allied units are practiced, and the exercise serves as the final exam for conscripts who started their service in 2023.
Spring Storm 2024 is part of the NATO exercise series Steadfast Defender 2024, representing a significant component of this extensive NATO exercise. Steadfast Defender 2024 is the largest NATO exercise in decades, with nearly 90,000 participants from all 32 member states participating over a six-month period from January to July 2024. The broader framework for the exercise has been set by confirmed NATO regional defence plans.
