Estonia sends pistols to Ukraine
Estonia is donating a shipment of Soviet-era sidearms to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Estonian MoD announced that the 2,400 Makarov PM pistols were shipped on 7 July, at its expense and at the request of the Ukrainian government.
‘Russia's continuing aggression in Crimea and eastern Ukraine is unacceptable and has a broader impact on the security of Europe as a whole,’ said Estonian Minister of Defence Jüri Luik.
‘With this shipment, we are supporting an ally who has been at war for six years.’
Maj Risto Pärtel, Chief of Ordnance in the Estonian Defence Forces, said that the Baltic republic was able to donate the 9x18mm Makarov PMs because it has switched over to the standard NATO calibre for pistols (9x19mm).
Aside from donating weapons, Estonia is supporting Ukraine by training special forces and combat medics and providing cyber defence expertise.
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