July 14, 2026, 2:13 p.mJuly 14, 2026, 2:13 p.m
According to Estonia, Russia conducted unannounced shooting exercises on Lake Peipus. Just a few kilometers from the border with the Baltic EU and NATO country, Russian units held their first exercise in the middle of the lake.
Lake Peipus is an inland body of water located between Estonia and Russia.Image: www.imago-images.de
“This is definitely not typical. Russia has not yet carried out any activities with weapons on Lake Peipus. In that respect, this is something new,” said Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, according to Estonian media reports. The Estonian border guard was not informed, but monitored and followed the situation.
The exercise reportedly took place the day after the NATO summit on July 9 and was heard on the Estonian side. A reconnaissance balloon is also said to have been launched over the Narva River on the Russian side. Lake Peipus is located in the east of the Baltic state between Estonia and Russia – it is one of the largest lakes in Europe. The border and associated control line run through the body of water.
According to Pevkur, participants in the exercise were probably supposed to train in shooting down naval drones. “They were shooting at a moving target in the water,” he said. Estonia knows which authority or unit organized the exercise. However, the minister did not want to reveal their names or how close the units had come to the Estonian border. The border guard also did not provide any further information about the incident.
Interior Minister Igor Taro condemned the Russian actions. “We have very strict rules of conduct for the border region, what is allowed and what is forbidden. “You don’t just show up at the border in a military uniform to carry out some exercise,” he said. Recent behavior has given the impression that Russia is testing limits, both literally and figuratively. But there is no reason to worry. (sda/dpa)