Since 2022, NATO’s covert operation named ‘Eastern Sentry’ has significantly increased intelligence flights over Northeastern Europe, especially the Baltic Sea region and Estonia, to gather electronic and signals intelligence on Russian military forces. This operation follows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is described as a massive covert surveillance campaign involving various NATO member states contributing reconnaissance aircraft. Estonia’s participation includes both operators and personnel on the ground at Ämari Air Base. These flights use multiple types of military intelligence aircraft such as P-8A Poseidons, RC-135 Rivets, and MC-12W Rivet Joint, conducting reconnaissance, SIGINT, and electronic warfare missions to track Russian troops, air, and naval forces near NATO borders. The operation is intended to deter further Russian aggression and enhance Baltic defense preparedness, representing an unprecedented sustained surveillance effort in the region with flights outpacing previous patterns. NATO and Estonia view this as crucial to maintaining situational awareness and strengthening regional security. Experts note this operation acts as a massive intelligence boost behind the scenes improving NATO’s readiness and reaction capabilities against the Russian threat in the northeast flank.
Category: Intelligence & Espionage
Subcategory: Signals/Technical Intelligence (SIGINT/TECHINT)
Incident Type: Electronic surveillance
Country: Estonia
Source report: balticsentinel.eu/8352410/n…
