Survey: 81% of Estonians Ready to Support Armed Resistance in Case of Attack

Most Estonians are ready to defend their country in case of an external attack.

This is according to an annual national defense survey conducted for Estonia’s Ministry of Defense, as reported by ERR.

The survey found that 81% of respondents believe Estonia should resist an attack with armed force.

Additionally, 62% said they would personally participate in defending the country, using their skills and abilities.

These numbers have remained stable over the past two years. Among ethnic Estonians, 69% are willing to join in the defense, compared to 48% of people from other nationalities.

Half of the country’s residents believe that Estonia can defend itself independently until allied assistance arrives. More than half of the respondents also view the development of the country’s defense capabilities in recent years positively.

The survey showed strong support for defense measures: 81% of residents approve of reservist mobilizations, and 79% support allied air force exercises in the country’s airspace.

Additionally, support for expanding military training grounds has risen to 64%.

Most residents favor maintaining or increasing defense spending: 35% of respondents support further increases in the military budget, and another 35% favor keeping it at the current level. Only 17% were in favor of reducing defense expenditures.

Support for Estonia’s NATO membership remains very high. 82% of respondents said they support staying in NATO, and 71% believe that membership helps prevent military conflict.

The study also found strong support for Ukraine. 67% of Estonian residents support continuing aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Among ethnic Estonians, support is 80%, while among people of other nationalities it is 41%.

The survey was conducted in March 2026 by Kantar Emor and included 1,372 residents of Estonia aged 15–74.

Militarnyi previously reported that Andrus Merilo, the Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, stated during the presentation of the annual defense report that the coming year will be crucial for Estonia’s security.