Eesti keeles / In English
In the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service’s assessment, Russia has no intention of militarily attacking Estonia or any other NATO member state in the coming year. We are likely to reach a similar assessment next year because Estonia and Europe have taken steps that compel the Kremlin to calculate very carefully what, if anything, it can risk attempting. Even if no such intention exists today, our task is to ensure that this remains the case tomorrow and in the future.
We see that Russia is setting long-term operational objectives in its war against Ukraine. This confirms that the recent uptick in peace-talk rhetoric is merely a tactic to buy time. Moscow has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine until its objectives are achieved or the conditions are favorable for doing so.
Russia’s military reform will enhance the capabilities of its armed forces in the years ahead. To counter this, Estonia and NATO must continue investing in defense. Russia’s calculations of the balance of power must always work to our advantage.
Read the report online here or download the PDF version.
The main function of EFIS is to collect intelligence and to protect classified information.
EFIS collects, analyses and delivers information on Estonia's external security threats. The information gathered by EFIS has a significant influence on Estonia's national defence and security policy making. EFIS is in the front line of national defence, as intelligence ensures early warning for events that pose a threat to us.
Protection of classified information includes the following functions:
We work closely with both domestic and foreign partners.
We operate under the Estonian Security Authorities Act. Supervision over EFIS is exercised by the Security Authorities Surveillance Committee of the Parliament, which assesses – among other things - the protection of fundamental rights and the efficiency of the service's work. The Ministry of Defence, the Chancellor of Justice and the National Audit Office of Estonia also exercise supervision over EFIS.
Our history dates back to 1992 when the Information Agency of the Government Office of the Republic of Estonia was established. In 1994, the Information Agency was subordinated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2001, the Estonian Information Board was established, which was then subordinated to the Ministry of Defence, and was united with the signals intelligence unit of the former Government Communications Agency. As of 1 July 2017, our organisation is named the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service to more clearly communicate our main task, which is the collection of intelligence.
Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service is led by Director General Kaupo Rosin.
Our organisation is under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.