Speaking from the capital, Tallinn, Major General Andrus Merilo said that with the eastern city of Narva, which has a predominantly Russian-speaking population, being a likely flashpoint in the event of a Russian offensive, contingency measures were needed to protect Estonia’s 1.3 million citizens in a worst-case scenario.

He said: “In such a situation, sea, land and air corridors will be crucial for us.

“If anyone thinks the war won’t start from Narva, they’re mistaken.”

Revealing Estonia’s defensive strategy, which includes deliberately crippling its own infrastructure to hinder enemy advances, he added: “We must be ready for the city’s infrastructure, including roads, to be made impassable for enemy forces.”

With limited options, sea and air connections become pivotal for relocating civilians.

Given Estonia’s proximity to Finland across the Gulf of Finland, the Nordic nation is considered the most likely destination for evacuees.

If Estonia were attacked, Merilo argued Latvia could face simultaneous aggression, cutting off southern routes to safety.

“When Russia goes to war, its goal is always territorial conquest,” he said, reflecting on Moscow’s historical patterns of aggression.