00:01He wants to play.
00:04And they want to protect him.
00:07And everyone else on the Baltic Sea island of Hyoma.
00:14That's why NATO soldiers are training for a potential Russian attack.
00:22Ave Ungro loves her island.
00:25But Russia's war against Ukraine has changed a lot for residents.
00:30Life as we knew it here is probably gone forever.
00:37On the surface, many things are continuing as they always have.
00:42But the underlying feeling has changed.
00:45And that has also affected me personally.
00:50For Moscow, the location of the Estonian island in the middle of the Baltic Sea has strategic importance.
01:00Russian ships pass by on their way to and from St Petersburg and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
01:07This could pose a threat to Estonia.
01:10That's why Ave Ungro decided to do something for herself, her family and country.
01:18Three years ago, the speech therapist joined the Nais Goedukaitse, or the Estonian Women's Voluntary Defence Organisation.
01:28Also known as the NKK, this organisation was founded in 1927, banned during the Soviet era and revived after Estonia gained independence in 1991.
01:38Today, this women-led group is now part of the Keits Elite, the Voluntary Estonian Defence League.
01:46In the event of a war with Russia, armed and well-trained civilians could be called upon to reinforce Estonia's regular armed forces.
01:53I did hold a weapon during my military training, but I never fired a single shot, strange as that may sound.
02:04In the future, I'll probably focus more on evacuation preparation and implementation.
02:10My profile says that I'm not a fighter.
02:13During the Soviet era, Hiyo Ma was home to a Soviet military base. The entire island was declared a restricted zone.
02:24These facilities remain a testament to those times.
02:28Many locals who lived through that era are understandably concerned, but experts caution against fear-mongering.
02:34We are very small, but the important thing is that we are investing very heavily in the defence and the culture of defending ourselves has been rooted very deep in Estonian nation.
02:53And, of course, we have a lot of regional allies. We can name Finland, who is the new member of NATO, but also Latvia, Lithuania, other Baltic states and Poland.
03:07NATO membership is key. If Estonia is attacked, the other alliance members will come to their defence.
03:13This is why NATO is conducting training exercises. But at the moment, acts of sabotage are the main issue being seen in the Baltic region.
03:28Russian military jets repeatedly violate NATO airspace.
03:32Russia is also suspected of jamming navigation systems in Western aircraft.
03:37In April this year, two Finnish planes had to turn back after disappearing from the radar.
03:41Western intelligence agencies assume that these incidents are being coordinated from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
03:56Moscow is also believed to be storing military equipment and nuclear-capable missiles there.
04:01The people of Hyuma are not exactly thrilled about the actions of their Baltic Sea neighbours, but residents refuse to be intimidated.
04:11For Avi Ungru, neighbourhood festivities like this one are necessary in the face of lüming danger.
04:16Gatherings like this are very important for promoting solidarity in our society.
04:27For our national defence, perhaps the most important thing is having a sense of community, the sense that we can accomplish anything together.
04:40Working, celebrating, talking and thinking about the future.
04:50Avi Ungru wants to instill these convictions in her daughter and the many children on Hyuma.
04:54Despite the threat of war, she believes in the defensive capabilities of the Estonians, NATO, and the future of her island.
05:04It's special because it's just so beautiful and peaceful.
05:10And that's how it should stay.
05:11Her words are well received by her daughter and her friend.
05:29They cannot imagine living anywhere but here, on the Baltic Sea island of Hyuma.
05:34See you next time.
05:35See you next time.
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