NATO Battlegroup Completes 1,000km Cycle Across Estonia

A group of 30 British, Estonian and Danish soldiers have cycled more than 1,000 kilometres across Estonia.

The soldiers, who make up the British-led Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in the country, set off on the 'NATO Velo' tour from Tartu in the south on 15 August.

The soldiers then cycled along the west coast, crossing the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, before riding north to the capital, Tallinn.

The team finished the challenge in the Russian-border town of Narva on 21 August.

The longest leg of the journey was between Tartu and Parnu - 170km.

From Parnu, the soldiers were joined by the Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid who led the team as they cycled onto Saaremaa.

NATO said the aim of the challenge was to show the bond between the NATO allies and local communities across Estonia. 

Throughout the journey, the soldiers also held engagement events with the Estonian public. 

The tour was organised by NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence - an operation established to halt any potential aggression from Russia.

Cover image: Soldiers cycle across Estonia (Picture: NATO).