Prince William attended military exercises in Estonia

British Prince William In recent days, he has been in Estonia, where he, dressed in military uniform and sitting in Tank, sent a strong message to the NATO Alliance, Ukraine and countries along the Russian border. During a two -day visit, he visited the Tap's military base, just 130 kilometers from the Russian border, and met with British, Estonian and French soldiers involved in NATO's mission Operation Cabrit – the largest permanent international operation of the British Army, writes BBC.

« I hope my visit helps keep things life and keep you on the alert, » he remarked to the soldiers he talked to while watching the equipment and exercises in the field, writes Daily Mail.

The prince, dressed in a camouflage uniform, was first planted in the British Tank Challenger 2, then replaced the vehicle and boarded the Warrior armored vehicle. He also attended simulated front campaigns – exercises where soldiers pursued and captured the enemy's base, writes BBC.

« I destroyed a lot of mud with this Challenger, » he jokingly remarked during a conversation with the soldiers, then added that the experience was not only exciting but also instructive. « Viewing the battlefield through driving allows you to think about how warfare in Ukraine actually works – from terrain to tactics, » the prince states Daily Mail.

“Russian threat is true”

Tapa is a key point for defending the eastern edge of NATO. Even in the times of the Soviet Union, this base served as an air defense to the west, but today its role is defense – this time before Russia. In Estonia, which has quickly entered the EU since independence in 1991, the area with the euro and NATO, the memories of the Soviet occupation are still alive.

Photo: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

Diplomatic sources for BBC They reveal that William's visit « came at a crucial moment », as the Estonians expect that a possible future peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia will allow Putin to weapons quickly and possible repetition of aggression – this time maybe even over Estonia.

Estonia has also recently been facing these hybrid warfare-attacks on information infrastructure, sabotage and GPS disorders attributed to Russian influence. In the past, the Estonian government has pointed to several incidents, including the removal of border battle on the Narva River, which many understand as attempts to destabilize the country, writes BBC. William's visit also had a clear security note: that the West monitor these pressure and will stand by his partners in the Alliance.

He also competed with the soldiers in table football and billiards and found that he was not the only one who dislikes to lose. Photo: Ian Vogler/Reuters

At the forefront of the visit, however, were not just military equipment and geopolitics. The prince also devoted a great deal of time to the psychological well -being of soldiers. He talked to them about stigma about mental health and emphasized that the term « mental fitness » on soldiers acts much better than « mental health ». « The term 'mental fitness' goes very well through, 'mental health' a little less, » he states BBC.

At a lighter moment he joked that he would send them a fridge when he heard that they did not have one, he states BBC. “You really don't have a fridge? Are you kidding? You need to have a refrigerator. I'll get it, « he said during a visit to the canteen. He also competed with the soldiers in table football and billiards and found that he was not the only one who dislikes to lose.

At the forefront of the visit were not just military equipment and geopolitics. The prince also devoted a great deal of time to the psychological well -being of soldiers. Photo: Ian Vogler/Reuters

The visit did not stop at the military. In the Estonian capital, William visited the refugee school from Ukraine and addressed the children: “The Ukrainian spirit is everywhere. You have incredible courage, this is very important. ”Hundreds of Estonians were waiting for him along the road, waiting in the cold to reach his hand or make a selfie, writes BBC.