Baltic Air Defense Upgrade: NATO agreed to shift the long-running Baltic Air Policing mission into an air defense operation, giving pilots broader authority to intercept and, if needed, shoot down threats over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Estonian Conscription Returns to Air Defense: After a 22-year pause, Estonia’s Air Force resumed conscript recruitment, training new intakes—700 this year, including 32 women—on IRIS-T SLM systems. Ukraine-Estonia Drone Cooperation: Estonia and Ukraine signed a new drone pact to deepen unmanned systems cooperation and enable joint ventures after approvals. EU Legal Pressure on Estonia: The European Commission opened an infringement procedure against Estonia over the transparent and predictable working conditions directive, saying the issue is technical after legislative adjustments. Refugee Protection Extended: The government approved extending temporary protection for Ukrainian war refugees through March 4, 2028, with eligibility changes for future applicants tied to military service. Tallinn Linnahall Funding Search: The city is pursuing EU structural funds for Linnahall renovation while also seeking investors, with autumn decisions ahead. Church Under Deadline: Estonia’s Interior Ministry set a December 28, 2026 deadline for the Estonian Orthodox Church to sever Moscow ties or face forced dissolution. IOC Funding Fight: Estonia urged the EU to cut funding to the IOC after it provisionally reinstated Russia’s Olympic Committee. Energy & Industry Watch: A Viljandi County firm applied to build a 200 MW gas plant, while Estonia also moved to create its first marine protected areas in its exclusive economic zone.