The commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Ants Laaneots, denied allegations that he allegedly sees a threat to the Estonian state in the increase in the number of Russian-speaking conscripts. As Postimees writes on Friday, the Estonian general, on the contrary, set Russian-speaking conscripts as an example for Estonian conscripts, who are not only more willing to join the army, but also more physically resilient.

“Russians, in principle, have a long tradition of military service. This is strengthened in their mentality, so the guys know this from their families, since all the men practically served. They go and know that this is natural and obligatory. And the Estonians, as they are accustomed to evading the Soviet time from the army in different ways, so, unfortunately, this mentality was carried over to the times of independence,” Laaneots said.

Laaneots also denied rumors that the April riots associated with the demolition of the monument to the Liberator Soldier in Tallinn caused a split in the army and police. “I saw Russian guys in action on April 26-27, albeit in the ranks of the police. I didn’t see any difference in who was there and what nationality,” Laaneots emphasized.

Earlier, the Eesti Paevaleht newspaper reported that Laaneots said at a symposium of reserve officers that not all non-Estonian military personnel were on the side of the Estonian state during the April events. In addition, the commander of the Estonian army expressed the opinion that the April riots in Tallinn were not spontaneous unrest, but “a large-scale, approved at the highest level, carefully planned special operation of the Russian Federation against Estonia.”

Estonian youth were given Russian-speaking conscripts as an example