🇪🇪 🇳🇴 🇵🇱 🇺🇦 Since June 2025, the Estonian contingent has been taking part in the Norwegian-led international training Operation LEGIO, aimed at sustaining and developing the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Estonian instructors have been working at the training base in Poland since the first rotation in September 2025.
"Estonia currently contributes up to 20 instructors – active-duty personnel, reservists and members of the Estonian Defence League who have volunteered for the mission," the Estonian Defence Forces state.
The two-month training cycles focus on basic military training and individual combat skills and are tailored to the requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the Estonian instructors, Ukrainian trainees consistently provide positive feedback on the training, which confirms the value of Estonia's contribution.
The cooperation is mutually beneficial. "Our personnel gain valuable experience of operating in a multinational environment, broaden their knowledge and skills, and share their own experience," emphasised the Senior National Representative of the Estonian contingent.
Estonian instructors work side by side with counterparts from the Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in cooperation with the United States, strengthening coordination among Allies and partners and enhancing interoperability.
Operation LEGIO, launched on the initiative of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) and Poland, is part of Norway's Operation ELLISIV. Its framework was formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by ten nations, including Ukraine, at the NATO Defence Ministers' Meeting on 15 October 2025. In 2026, Australia joined the operation with its contribution under its national Operation KUDU, and New Zealand under Operation TIEKE.
LEGIO integrates bilateral and multilateral support into a single system for training and equipping Ukrainian units to NATO standards, while the combat experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in turn enriches partner forces and becomes a shared asset for European security.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine express their sincere gratitude to the Republic of Estonia, the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Poland and all partners of Operation LEGIO for their consistent support and contribution to the training of our defenders.
Photo: © n-srs/OR-4 Maria Tammeaid, Estonian Defence Forces | Kaitsevägi
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