Spring Storm exercise commander: several malicious individuals handed over to police during drill

Colonel Aron Kalmus, who led the Spring Storm exercise, told ERR that the large-scale drill resulted in encounters with malicious individuals who had to be dealt with. Among other incidents, defence force fibre optic cables were cut. Kalmus considers the exercise successful – participation rate exceeded 75 per cent.

Colonel Aron Kalmus, who led the spring large-scale exercise Spring Storm, acknowledged in an interview with ERR that such an extensive drill cannot avoid encounters with the darker side of Estonian society. During the exercise, the defence force handed over several individuals who acted maliciously to the police.

One of the most notable incidents was the cutting of defence force fibre optic cables, which disrupted communications and required urgent remedial measures. Kalmus stressed that such incidents are inevitable in large-scale exercises – the more sectors of society are involved, the greater the likelihood that someone will attempt to sabotage or disrupt the operations.

Despite some irregularities, Colonel Kalmus considers Spring Storm generally very successful. Participation rate exceeded 75 per cent, which is a significant result for the defence force and demonstrates the population's readiness to participate in national defence activities.

Spring Storm is one of Estonia's largest regular defence force exercises, encompassing civilian structures in addition to active personnel and reservists. This year's exercise tested both the coordination of military units and society's broader readiness to operate in a crisis situation.