In southern Estonia, British soldiers are reinforcing defensive positions just 35 miles from the Russian border, as part of a major Nato exercise designed to test the alliance’s ability to rapidly respond to potential aggression on its eastern frontier.
In the wooded terrain near Võru, troops from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, known as the Kingos, are taking part in Exercise Hedgehog, one of the largest military drills ever conducted in Estonia. The scenario being rehearsed is stark: a hostile state crosses into Nato territory, triggering a collective and immediate response from the alliance.
Lieutenant Colonel Bob Carman, Commanding Officer of 1 Lancs, said the exercise demonstrates Nato’s preparedness and ability to operate effectively in challenging environments.
“Exercise Hedgehog is showcasing the Forward Land Forces Brigade’s ability, currently 4 Light Brigade, to deploy quickly and integrate with the 1st Estonian Division,” Lt Col Carman explained. “It’s about demonstrating Nato’s readiness to respond to a threat to its member states.”
A Realistic Test of Readiness
Embedded with British forces during a key phase of the exercise, BFBS Forces News witnessed realistic combat scenarios playing out just a short distance from Russian soil.
In one striking moment, a lone figure emerged from the treeline with hands raised in surrender. He was swiftly detained and processed as a prisoner of war, a scenario carefully staged to reflect actual events seen in Ukraine, where surrendering soldiers frequently approached frontline positions.
More than 2,500 additional British and French troops have joined Nato’s permanent presence in Estonia for the exercise. They are part of Operation Cabrit, the UK’s contribution to Nato’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltics.
They are working alongside 10,000 Estonian troops, mobilised as part of the country’s national conscription programme, which sees around 4,000 young people called up for service each year.
Transporting British personnel and equipment to the front line involved complex logistics. Some soldiers from 1 Lancs travelled overland via the Eurostar from St Pancras, rehearsing how reinforcements might be rapidly deployed in a real crisis.
Defensive Fortifications Take Shape
In a remote section of forest, 1 Lancs have built trench networks, anti-tank ditches, and fortified positions, infrastructure that cannot easily be constructed in the UK due to space and planning restrictions.
These defences, created for the exercise, will remain in place and could be used in the event of an actual incursion by Russian forces.
Kingsman Liam Barnes gave an insight into life underground, where soldiers are sleeping in bunkers they built themselves.
“When we arrived, it was just a hole in the ground,” he said. “We started digging and got this done by day two. It’s surprisingly spacious, this is luxury for an infantryman.”
Adapting to the Modern Battlefield
Exercise Hedgehog is not just about conventional defence. The British Army is rapidly evolving its battlefield tactics, learning from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Technology, particularly drones, now plays a central role.
Lance Corporal Trent Isles demonstrated the use of a lightweight Parrot drone, which provides real-time intelligence to commanders in the field. Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Dylan Ashurst showcased a kamikaze drone, designed to crash into and destroy enemy targets.
“It’s a one-way drone, once it hits, it’s gone,” said LCpl Isles.
LCpl Ashurst, a decade into his Army career, acknowledged that the pace of change has been striking.
“The world is changing quickly. Ukraine has shown us the future of warfare, and we’re working hard to keep up.”
These tools are proving invaluable for identifying enemy positions, tracking movement, and launching precision attacks when necessary.
Estonia: A Critical Frontline
Estonia shares a 294km border with Russia, and its geography, flat, lightly populated, and lacking natural barriers, makes it vulnerable to rapid military advances.
This strategic exposure is precisely why Nato maintains a persistent presence in the country. Under Operation Cabrit, British forces rotate through six-month deployments, working with Estonian Defence Forces and other Nato partners to deter any potential aggression.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Estonia has become a focal point for the alliance. Once considered peripheral, it is now recognised as a key component of Nato’s forward defence posture.
Strength Through Partnership
For the soldiers of 1 Lancs, the deployment is both a test of military capability and an opportunity to operate in new terrain. Having passed their combat validation during Exercise Wessex Storm earlier this year, the battalion is now fully operational and prepared for real-world contingencies.
“The soldiers have worked incredibly hard,” said Lt Col Carman. “They’ve been empowered to adapt to the environment, and the defensive build here has been unlike anything we do back in the UK. There’s a real sense of pride in what they’re achieving.”
He added that the soldiers are also engaging with local culture, which helps them understand the importance of their presence.
From July, 1 Lancs will join Nato’s high-readiness reserve force, ready to deploy across Europe’s eastern flank for the next two years as part of 4 Brigade, also known as the Black Rats.
A Clear Message of Deterrence
What British forces are doing in Estonia goes far beyond training. From constructing trenches to deploying cutting-edge drone technology, Nato is sending a strong and deliberate signal: it is prepared, capable, and united in the face of any threat.
For the soldiers on the ground, it’s a chance to hone their skills and forge closer ties with international allies. For Nato, it’s a visible reminder that its eastern border is not a soft spot, it is a fortified line of defence.
In a part of the world where peace cannot be taken for granted, this level of preparation is more than symbolic, it’s essential.
