Estonia sending 2400 pistols to support the Ukrainian state

On July 7th the Estonian Ministry of Defence sent a shipment of 2400 Makarov pistols to Ukraine, in order to support the strengthening of Ukraine’s independent defence capabilities. According to the head of the department, Jüri Luik, Estonia firmly and steadfastly supports Ukraine – the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be restored.

‘Russia’s continuing aggression in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine is unacceptable and has a broader impact on the security of Europe as a whole’, said Minister of Defence Luik. ‘With this shipment we are supporting our ally who has been at war for six years’, he said.

Luik noted that, in addition to political support and development aid, it is also important to provide real support for Ukraine’s independent defence capability. ‘In addition to donating weapons, Estonia is supporting Ukraine in the training of special forces and in the field of military medicine, and is sharing experience in the fields of territorial and cyber defence’, he said.

Luik emphasised that regardless of the complicated situation in the country, Ukraine has continued to implement important reforms, which is noteworthy.

Major Risto Pärtel, Chief of Ordnance at the Estonian Defence Forces, said that the Estonian Defence Forces were able to donate the weapons because they switched over to the standard NATO calibre. In terms of its construction, the Makarov is compact, reliable and easy to use, and will definitely add an important component to the armaments of the Ukrainians, added Chief of Ordnance Pärtel.

Weapons are being sent at the request of Ukraine and will be received by the Ukrainian Army. Transport costs of nearly EUR 7000 will be covered by Estonia.

Based on a press release from the Estonian MoD