Finland’s planned exit from landmine ban draws sharp criticism from Amnesty

The Finnish government’s decision to prepare for withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines risks weakening international law and damaging Finland’s global reputation, Amnesty Finland said on Monday. The treaty, which prohibits the use, production, storage and transfer of Read More …

Charities call for more global action on International Day for Mine Awareness

As the world marks International Day of Mine Awareness, charities have issued a renewed call for more global action as demining efforts backslide. With many Baltic nations stating preparations to withdraw from the international convention against anti-personnel landmines, the International Read More …

Which countries are quitting a key landmine treaty and why?

NATO members Poland, Finland and all three Baltic states have queued up over the past few weeks to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, in the face of what they say are growing military threats from Russia. The Read More …

Estonia: Over 800 Tsarist-era explosives found in Põhja-Tallinn

Hundreds of Tsarist-era munitions were found in Lahesuu Harbor in Põhja-Tallinn last week during construction work. Demolition experts from the Rescue Board were called to the harbor last Tuesday after 880 explosive devices were discovered. The munitions were naval ordnance Read More …

Poland and Baltic states want to exit landmine treaty over Russia’s military threat

Poland and the Baltic states said on Tuesday that they want to withdraw from an international treaty banning anti-personnel mines, citing Russia’s growing military threat. In a joint statement, the defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland said they Read More …

Europe faces return of landmines as defence against Putin

Britain and its European allies must urgently regain the ability to deploy landmines if they are to be able to counter the “terrifying” threat posed by Russia, experts have warned. Finland, a new member of Nato in the wake of Read More …

Slovak Republic and Estonia Provide Additional Contribution to UNMAS in Support of the Iraqi Mine Action Sector

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes a new contribution from the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Governemt of Estonia, in support of humanitarian mine action endeavors in Iraq. Both countrites, Slovakia and Estonia have Read More …

Ukraine: Eight International Coalitions provide military assistance to Ukraine

Eight capability coalitions, each comprising between six and 21 countries, are actively assisting in addressing specific needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, according to Ukrinform. The Ministry noted that in September Read More …

Ukraine: Drone coalition to allocate €1.8 billion for Ukraine’s Armed Forces this year

This year, countries in the international drone coalition will allocate €1.8 billion to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umierov revealed that this decision was communicated by partners from Latvia, which co-leads the drone coalition with Read More …

Estonian deminers find over 700 explosives in Latvia

Estonian bomb disposal experts found 728 explosive devices during a two-week international training exercise in Latvia. The eight-member team searched an area of around 9,000 square meters in Cekule, close to Riga, where ammunition depots were formally located. “Rescue Board Read More …