TALLINN, Estonia – The Estonian government held a crisis exercise on Thursday to practice rapid response and decision-making procedures in the event of a military attack.
The drill, according to a press statement released on Friday from Stenbock House was led by Prime Minister Kristen Michal, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national readiness for potential security threats.
“Every minute counts in a crisis”
“The clearer the responsibilities and options of ministers, the faster we will reach confident and legally sound decisions. Knowing how to handle a crisis does not come naturally, which is why governments need to regularly conduct exercises” said Michel.
The simulation placed the government in a scenario of imminent military threat, with ministers working through key defence issues and evaluating how to maintain control. The exercise focused on building coordination and awareness across ministries, ensuring all departments understand their roles in national defense.
The Estonian Prime Minister’s Office asserted that such exercises are routinely conducted by the Government Office to ensure that the administration remains equipped for a variety of emergency scenarios. Last year’s exercise focused on hybrid threats, including cyber attacks, border violations, and hostile propaganda, reinforcing Estonia’s capacity to counter multifaceted crises.