Russia could restore its combat readiness as early as 2027, and Estonia’s own level of preparedness must increase rapidly, the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) said in its annual report.

The EDF released its 2025 yearbook on Monday, summing up last year’s events. The report makes clear that Russia, despite its heavy losses in Ukraine, is still pursuing its military reforms.

Commander of the Defense Forces Andrus Merilo writes in the report that current trends show the “war in Ukraine will not end in a situation where Russia has been rendered incapable of operating against us.”

After the war ends, Russia’s society and economy will be completely geared towards war and President Vladimir Putin’s “hope of remaining in power for the rest of his life depends on keeping his country at war.”

“This means that after exiting the war in Ukraine, Russia will restore its military’s combat readiness. At the same time, it will actively probe for new targets and prepare them through destabilizing activities and campaigns,” Merilo writes.

Read more: ERR.EE