Estonia Opens the Way for Mine Shipments
Estonia’s parliament has voted to remove restrictions on transporting anti-personnel mines, linking the change to military cooperation and defence preparations on NATO’s eastern flank.
The Riigikogu approved the change on 28 October with 64 votes. It removes prohibitions on transporting anti-personnel mines and providing related services under Estonia’s Strategic Goods Act.
Peeter Tali, chair of Estonia’s parliamentary National Defence Committee, presented the change as a response to the security situation created by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
He said it would support cooperation with allies, including Finland and the other Baltic states. Estonia withdrew from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines in December 2025.
The parliamentary vote changes the legal framework. It does not, by itself, announce a particular shipment or deployment.
Separately, Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem told parliament on 28 October that roughly 150 bunkers were planned in Ida-Viru County. About 100 would stand on state land and 50 on municipal or private land.
Herem said arrangements with landowners could include compensation, leases or purchases.
The mine policy also raises humanitarian concerns. The International Committee of the Red Cross warns that anti-personnel mines can kill and injure civilians for decades, while preventing safe access to farmland and other essential places.
Image caption: AI-generated illustration of military logistics. No particular shipment, mine type or operational location is depicted.
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