—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“If Estonia were invaded, how ready is NATO to defend it?
I'm Desiree Mumm, an Estonian video journalist, and I have been given rare access and the opportunity to see NATO’s multinational battlegroup here in my home country, Estonia.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
I’m spending the day with the UK-led NATO multinational battlegroup. Nearly 2,000 soldiers are stationed here in Tapa.
The troops rotate every six months, meaning there’s always a NATO presence here.
Before we go any further, here’s 20 seconds on why that is such a big deal for us Estonians.
As one of the Baltic states, Estonia borders Russia. Before regaining our independence in 1991, we were part of the Soviet Union. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, these are worrying times for those of us living along NATO’s eastern border.
We know the value of freedom. Being in NATO isn’t just important, It’s essential to our security.
Comprising of vehicles and personnel from the United Kingdom and France, the NATO multinational battlegroup would be among the first to react if there were ever an incursion on Estonia’s territory.
My first reaction, amazed by the number of vehicles here.
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“I’m surrounded by military vehicles. The capability of this Battlegroup is out of this world. I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s astonishing. Impressive.
What vehicle is this?”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Trooper James, British Army, NATO multinational battlegroup Estonia
GRAPHIC: TPR JAMES, British Army, NATO multinational battlegroup Estonia
“This is the Challenger Two. It’s the main battle tank for the British Army. It’s got a 120-millimetre cannon on it, as well as a 7.62 coaxial machinegun mounted on the other side.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
I’m desperate to see what it’s like inside. Cameras aren’t allowed so unfortunately you can’t come in.
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“What has been the longest time you’ve spent here?”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Trooper James, British Army, NATO multinational battlegroup Estonia
“Eight hours.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video journalist
“I don’t think I personally could be here for eight hours. For a good cause maybe. Maybe if there was an actual war, maybe I would. I definitely would. I would do anything in my power.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
“If war ever broke out here, it would most likely be fought in the forest. Over half of Estonia is covered in dense trees.
Today, the battlegroup is training for an invasion scenario, challenging each other to improve their skills.
They won’t be using live ammunition, but other than that, this is as close as I can get to seeing how the battlegroup would operate under fire.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“To be honest, I’m a bit scared.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire fills the air.
I’ve never heard anything like this before. Gunfire echoing through my own forests. It hits differently when it’s home.
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“It’s really loud, really loud.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
Through a smokescreen, the battlegroup troops deploy bridges to cross the river.
With so many rivers running through these forests, crossing them is a crucial skill. Seeing them work with such speed is pretty impressive.
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video journalist
“This just shows how mobile the NATO battlegroup really is.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
“While everything kicks off on the ground, I catch sight of a drone overhead, quietly watching. A couple of kilometres away I find its operators, an Estonian reconnaissance unit. Their identities must be hidden due to the covert nature of their work.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“How crucial is information that you can get with the sort of modern warfare tools such as drones?”
—SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
“It isn’t regular war anymore. There aren’t any more 10 guys at the frontline who have 10 years of experience. It’s one guy with a drone in a bunker that changes the war.”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
“The way wars are fought may be changing, but it’s worth remembering that as part of NATO, we won’t be facing the future alone.”
“Before I go, I want to hear how my fellow Estonians feel about the NATO presence here and this kind of multinational training.“
—SOUNDBITE IN ESTONIAN (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“How have these joint NATO exercises with Allies affected the will of Estonians to defend?”
—SOUNDBITE IN ESTONIAN (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Lieutenant Robin Kristofer Kalme, Estonian Army, NATO Multinational Battlegroup Estonia
GRAPHIC: LT ROBIN KRISTOFER KALME Estonian Army, NATO multinational battlegroup Estonia
“I think that we all have a role to play, for this thing of independence. My aim, like all of us, is to protect our little Estonia.
We may not have a lot of firepower but we do have strong hearts.
We want peace and we push through everything to get it, and hold it for as long as possible.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ESTONIAN (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“Yes, I completely agree, completely agree.
I’m very happy that you are here and that our Allied forces are here because it makes me feel very safe.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ESTONIAN (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Lieutenant Robin Kristofer Kalme, Estonian Army, NATO Multinational Battlegroup Estonia
“Me too.”
—SOUNDBITE IN ESTONIAN (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) — Desiree Mumm – Video Journalist
“Very good, thank you!”
—VOICEOVER IN ENGLISH (SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH) —
“For today, the forests fall silent again.
But for me, the message rings out loud and clear. NATO is here, ready and positioned to respond if Estonia is ever threatened with invasion.
What’s your take on NATO’s presence in Estonia? Share your views in the comments section below.”
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