Maritime Security: Estonia’s border guards and investigators say Russia’s Gazprom LNG tanker Marshal Vasilevskiy has been fitted with heavy Kord 12.7mm machine guns on the bridge wings, with sandbagged firing positions—an unusual militarisation of civilian shipping in the Baltic as tensions and sanctions enforcement intensify. Defense Tech & Industry: Sky Spy and Orqa demonstrated a portable UAV-based SIGINT system for the Estonian Defence Forces during Spring Storm, showing how lightweight airborne RF sensing can extend detection of hostile emitters beyond ground limits. AI Governance: Estonia plans “AI ID codes” so AI agents can act for people and organisations within verifiable, auditable limits—positioning the country as a potential first mover in digital identity for AI. Circular Economy: Estonia is moving to curb textile and food waste via stricter producer rules and extended producer responsibility for textiles from 2028, including funding collection and recycling networks. Energy Transition: EU member states approved a major energy storage ramp-up, targeting 45 GW of annual deployment by 2026–2028 to cut gas exposure and boost renewables use. Media Freedom: The EU’s Media Pluralism Monitor flags worsening journalist working conditions; Estonia is among the better performers on protection, but risks remain. Retail Expansion: Krispy Kreme announced its first Estonia shop for late 2026, with a planned production-and-retail hub and expansion across the Baltics.