Estonia drills civil unrest response, evacuation and crisis coordination in mass exercise

Estonia is running the ILVES 2026 comprehensive defense exercise, the largest non-military drill in recent years. The exercise, which began on Monday, reached a phase on its third day where society as a whole had to confront multiple crises simultaneously. Chief organizer Marti Magnus noted that the most valuable lessons emerge in complex, uncertain situations.

Paldiski sub-exercise

In Paldiski, the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) trained for a scenario involving a public demonstration instigated by an adversary that escalates into a dangerous threat through intentional provocation. Veiko Kommusaar, deputy director general for border management at the PPA, emphasized the exercise is broader than a single Bronze Night reenactment. The maneuvers cover mass movements toward borders, terrorist attacks, large-scale unrest, social assistance operations, and bomb threats.

The PPA's crisis reserve unit, established about two years ago with around 200 personnel (mostly former military police conscripts), participated. The unit is expected to grow to roughly 1,000 next year. Kaspar Kõiv, development expert at the PPA's Crisis Preparedness Bureau, explained that reservists must attend upon receiving a summons unless they have valid grounds for exemption. Legal issues regarding police powers were also addressed during training.

Participant German Golub, a noted film director and commander of a PPA crisis reserve platoon, completed his military service over a decade ago. He noted changes in training, including rules on use of force, and highlighted the weight of the equipment—vest alone weighing three to four kilograms.

Other exercises

On Hiiumaa, responders practiced an aviation accident scenario, including rescue operations, casualty assistance, public order, crisis communications, and on-site coordination. The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture distributed national food reserves from Estonian Stockpiling Center (EVK) warehouses in four municipalities to maintain food security.

The Rescue Board, Women's Voluntary Defense Organization, and local governments rehearsed operating 10 evacuation centers, with the largest in Rapla focusing on logistics. Wednesday's activities included simulated sabotage attacks, mass-disturbance management, deliberate-arson responses, and urban search-and-rescue drills. Participants also trained amid mobile communication disruptions.

Public involvement and siren test

At 3 p.m., the nationwide siren network was activated for 10 minutes. Public reactions varied: Vaike noted a lack of shelter in the Old Town, Kerli said she wouldn't know where to go, and Aleksandra stated philosophically, "I'd just die." A Finnish tourist who received an SMS notification praised the system.

Viktor Saaremets, deputy director general of the Rescue Board, declared the siren drill a success: all 122 siren poles were activated, national information systems launched, and the Eesti and "Ole valmis!" apps activated, with a ticker message on ERR. The next test drill is scheduled for October; from next year, cell broadcast alerts will be used to send warnings to all registered phones regardless of app installation.

International cooperation

Finland's Interior Minister Mari Rantanen visited Estonia on Wednesday, meeting with Estonian counterpart Igor Taro and observing the exercise. Personnel from Finland's police and border guard also participated.

State Secretary Keit Kasemets stressed the importance of maintaining a comprehensive overview during a crisis: "An adversary's objective is often to disperse attention, overload systems, and create confusion. The state's task is to maintain situational awareness, make decisions rapidly, and ensure that all parties work toward a common goal."

The Office of the President, the Riigikogu, and the Government Office were actively involved in the exercise, rehearsing decision-making and inter-agency cooperation during a crisis.

Next steps

Exercise ILVES 2026 continues on Thursday and peaks on Friday, its final day. Over 150 organizations from the public, private, and third sectors are involved. The exercise is organized by the Government Office in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other partner institutions.