Dressed in combat equipment and beret, Prince William was eagerly climbed into a British tank after arriving at a NATO basis in Estonia this morning to participate in a large military exercise just 90 miles from Russia.
The future king is located in Tapa Camp, a little less than two hours from the border, in his role as Colonel-in-Chef of the Mercian Regiment that is about to take a six-month post to the region.
Operation Cabrit is a large multinational NATO operational exercise that is designed to show the power of the organization through its united dedication to collective safety and defense.
William, 42, participates in a field exercise in what is described as 'Putin's Backyard', which controls a poorer -parent military vehicle and is driven in Challenger and Warrior tanks.
A royal assistant said that the prince was delighted to “make his hands dirty,” and said that the visit was “over the Prince of Wales who showed his support to Estonia, because it managed his proximity to Russia as he organized NATO troops and welcomed Ukrainian shelters.”
Operation Calbrit is part of the greatest reinforcement of Alliance Collective Defense and European Safety in a generation.
The armed forces train weekly, ranging from small exercises to large -scale Battle Group level exercises.
Russia – which has a boundary between 183 miles with Estonia – has considerably increased its military presence in the region, with planes that are often intercepted by NATO air police.
Prince William drives a Challenger 2 Battle Tank during a transfer ceremony in Tapa Camp in Estonia
De Hertog visits Tapa Camp to meet Estonian soldiers at the base to thank them for their support
William dressed in full battle fatigue this morning
The prince will spend the day in Tapa Camp and meet Estonian troops before they supervise an official transfer ceremony between the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment.
In addition to viewing the reach of equipment that will be used by the Mercians, he will also visit the field training area to see their work in action.
He will then spend time with the welfare team and the naafi income – the store and canteen of the Naval, Army and Air Force Institute, where soldiers and staff can also relax and socialize.
As a member of the EU, Estonia has strongly supported Ukraine since the Russian invasion, both politically and financially.
It has defended a tough approach to sanctions against Russia and was the first country to introduce legislation to grab frozen Russian assets.
Russia has been working on a series of hybrid attacks on Estonia for some time: GPS-Jamming, Sabotage, Cyber ​​attacks and removal of navigation abilities that mark the border in the Narva River.
The country is also reflected 'Pro-Britse' and has worked closely with the UK over Ukraine.
Diplomatic sources said that William's visit comes in a 'crucial era' in terms of reassuring Estonians of the dedication of the UK to both their safety and Ukraine.
William meets the NATO troops that defend the eastern flank of the Alliance against Putin's Russia
The prince – who himself served in the army – was cheerful when he talked to the soldiers
The Challenger 2 is a main combat tank that is designed to hire other tanks
It is said that Estonia is afraid that after a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, the latter can quickly be armed again and Ukraine can threaten again, whether Estonia and other Northern European NATO allies can attack. As a result, they appreciate the British military presence even more locally.
After the Second World War, Estonia spent decades as an unwilling and occupied part of the Soviet Union. Memories of Soviet occupation are still strong – and almost every family suffered in one way or another.
For Estonians, sources say, the Russian approach of Ukraine is 'terribly familiar'.
However, its success since the recovery of his independence in 1991 has been 'remarkable': becoming a member of the EU, the euro and NATO, and the growing of a successful economy, including a growing technical sector.
The Prince of Wales was met on the NATO basis just 125 miles from the Russian border, by UK Defense Attaché Rob Hall.
Soldiers from the 1st Estonian Brigade were introduced to the future king who asked them about the first six months of their training.
William spoke with the 13 soldiers who were chosen to meet him: 'It's great to meet you and great to be here.
'How does the British work? You don't have to say nice things just because I am here! '
William met troops dressed in Camouflage -Equipment during today's visit
William heard how the Mercians use different weapon systems and learn new training and surgical techniques
William met both Estse and British troops during the official visit
The soldiers told him that their experience had been 'good' and 'very successful'.
William replied: 'I bet you are happy that it will be spring soon! It gets quite cold here, right? '
A soldier said: “Spring started yesterday, so we're happier now.”
William said: 'Yes, I saw some sunshine in Tallinn yesterday, today a bit colder. Good to know it is'.
The prince asked the soldiers about their basic training and added: 'It's great to meet each other and I can't wait to see the exercises today. Very happy to be here. '
The Prince of Wales said he hoped that his visit to Estonia would 'keep everyone sharp' while visiting British troops that were used in the neighborhood of Russia today.
William, Colonel-in-Chef of the Mercian Regiment, was chairman of an official transfer ceremony of British troops deployed in Tapa Camp, of the Royal Dragoon Guards, to his regiment, which are only 80 miles from the Russian border on Tapa.
The visit of William to Tapa wants to emphasize the role of British troops in Operation Cabrit, in which around 900 soldiers are stationed as part of NATO's defense of the Eastern Flank – the largest international operational implementation of the UK.
With the royal standard that flew in addition to the flags of NATO members, the prince received a selection of military vehicles, including a archer, a Challenger 2, a warrior, a French griffon, an MLRS and a Trojan, on the parade square of Tapa.
Accompanied on the Parade Square by the Estonian Commander Colonel Tarmo Kundla and LT Col -General Sir Ian Cave, he then spoke with groups of soldiers placed next to each vehicle.
William Chats with soldiers after his tank ride
The future king will talk to Estonian troops about their experiences with training at the base
With soldiers stationed with the Archer asked William: 'What is it like to drive? I can try it later. “He also asked the group:” Is this your first time in Estonia? Good luck, I hope it all goes really well. '
On the Warrior vehicle, after asking the soldiers about their upcoming operational exercises, he said about his visit to the base: “Hopefully this will offer a little interest in all of you and what you do and everyone keeps sharp.”
William inspected the French Griffon 'Infantry Fighting Vehicle' and spoke with a group of French soldiers who also serve in addition to British troops in Tapa. “It's good to have such an international partnership,” he told them.
William took over the role as Colonel from the Mercians in 2023, earlier in the hands of his father. During a visit to Tapa he will also spend a tank and see the Mercians train with a range of weapons.
