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Ukrainian Drone Instructors Lead Advanced Training for Estonia’s Defense League

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Ukrainian Drone Instructors Lead Advanced Training for Estonia’s Defense League
A US armed forces soldier on a Bradley fighting vehicle during the Exercise Hedgehog 25 military exercise in Estonia, May 20, 2025. (Source: Getty Images_

Estonia has launched a military drone training course for members of the Estonian Defense League (Kaitseliit), with Ukrainian instructors delivering the program near Tapa base in Lääne-Viru County.

According to Estonian public broadcaster ERR on June 16, the course, launched last months, is aimed at preparing a new unit within Kaitseliit that will specialize in unmanned aerial systems. The Estonian Defense League is a voluntary paramilitary organization integrated into the country’s national defense structure.

Ukrainian instructors are sharing their battlefield experience, teaching various tactical and technical aspects of drone use, and creating scenarios that closely replicate real combat conditions.

“We’re here to showcase our equipment and teach our NATO allies how to fight using drones,” said a former Azov fighter with the call sign “Ranger.”

He added that their goal was to learn and teach each other, adding that it was only a matter of time before the others would be on the same level as them.

Upon completing the course, participants will undergo a final assessment to certify their skills. Successful graduates are expected to continue the training cycle as instructors themselves.

According to the exercise’s press service on May 15, Ukrainian instructors brought a range of equipment to Estonia, including FPV drones with night vision, reconnaissance drones, signal amplifiers, and an experimental drone equipped with a 2.5 kg warhead and a range of up to 65 km.

During the training exercises, Estonian units use Mavic drones for target detection, while the Ukrainian team will conduct strikes using FPV drones.

Earlier, Sweden unveiled its 19th defense assistance package for Ukraine, allocating 4.8 billion kronor (around $447 million) to bolster the country’s military capabilities.

The aid was delivered through the Swedish Armed Forces and directed toward a range of international defense cooperation initiatives.

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