We encourage you to read our review of the past week in Central and Eastern European countries:
Romania announces update to National Security Strategy
The Romanian government has announced an update to its most important strategic document on national security and will submit it for approval to the Supreme Defence Council of Romania (CSAT) and parliament before 26 November this year. The update will include, among other things, improving the coordination of national security policy, deepening defence cooperation with NATO and the EU, and identifying corruption as one of the most serious threats to national security.
Romania’s acceleration of work on updating the Strategy demonstrates the high level of situational awareness among the elites and an attempt to adapt to the changing security environment. It is also noteworthy that this coincides with the recent update of a similar document in neighbouring Moldova, whose security is increasingly linked to Romania’s ability to counterbalance Russia’s still significant influence.
Bulgarian Defence Minister announces increase in armed forces
The head of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence, Atanas Zaprianov, has announced a slow but steady increase in the size of the local armed forces. During a meeting of the parliamentary defence committee, he pointed out that with current resources, the number of military personnel could increase by 1,000 soldiers in 2026, but the long-term forecast assumes further growth.
Due to its proximity to the Black Sea (affected by the conflict in Ukraine) and its NATO commitments, Bulgaria is seeking to expand the operational capabilities of its armed forces, but this is limited by financial resources and the unstable political situation in recent years. Regardless of the difficulties, Sofia is making great efforts to maintain a positive course, both in terms of personnel expansion and technical modernisation of the army.
Czech government announces transfer of observation satellite to Ukraine
The Czech Ministry of Transport has signed a memorandum with the Ukrainian State Space Agency on the transfer of a modern observation satellite equipped with, among other things, a SAR radar, enabling observation regardless of weather conditions. This is the first decision of its kind in terms of support for Ukraine and will have a positive impact on the reconnaissance capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The donation is a decision of Petr Fiala’s government, whose term is coming to an end, and may be criticised by the new authorities. However, it draws attention to the growing role of the space domain in Ukraine’s security, which in recent years has manifested itself, for example, in the use of the Starlink satellite system to maintain communications within the armed forces. European countries will become more active in the area of satellite capabilities in the coming years, and further initiatives involving Kyiv cannot be ruled out.
Western companies created the Russian underwater surveillance system
In recent years, numerous companies with military technologies were to supply systems and technological solutions to a Cypriot company that was allegedly linked to a Russian entity. This equipment was to be used to build an underwater surveillance system. It was based on placing a series of sensors on the seabed to detect submarines hostile to Russia approaching Russian nuclear weapons located in the Barents Sea off the coast of Russia.
The system created by the Russians is designed for early detection of threats from Western submarines operating in the waters of the Barents Sea. Information about the supply of modern technological solutions, including by entities from the European and American markets, indicates a lack of a coherent strategy for the defence of states and societies. The purchase and delivery of these solutions, certainly supported by Russian intelligence services, was not publicly known, and its consequences significantly reduce the level of security and the ability to conduct effective military operations.
Moldova’s New Defence Strategy
The Moldovan Ministry of Defence has developed a new military strategy for the Republic of Moldova for the years 2025-2035. It covers the development of the armed forces and the state’s defence system. The document is based on pillars specific to Moldova. The strategy assumes its neutrality and is defensive in nature. The aim is to strive for integration with the EU and to take into account the conclusions drawn from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the process of strengthening defence capabilities.
The strategy assumes a comprehensive modernisation of the army, taking into account its natural characteristics, but with a focus on implementing Western standards and cooperation with the EU. The main direction of change is to improve defence capabilities in relation to Russia’s hybrid activities, and in particular to build a defence system capable of independent response. However, Moldova intends to achieve all these goals with relatively low budgetary resources and a small army. It seems that without external financial support, these goals can only be achieved to a limited extent.
Agreement between the Nordic countries on the purchase of unmanned aerial vehicles
On 22 October 2025, four Nordic countries, namely Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, signed an agreement in Helsinki to begin preparations for joint procurement of unmanned aerial systems and related technologies. The governments of these countries intend to support operations aimed at countering Russian hybrid activities by developing the use of unmanned technologies. Ukraine is also to be a partner in these activities.
Joint agreements and purchases by the Nordic countries contribute to improving security in the Baltic Sea region. Initiatives of this type are also a sign of strategic decisions aimed at improving security. At the same time, this information may indicate deeper cooperation between Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark in equipping their own armed forces based on effective solutions produced by the defence industries of individual countries.
Long-term contract for Estonia and Lithuania for the supply of modular hospitals
The Estonian Defence Investment Centre (ECDI) has signed a seven-year framework agreement with two companies, AS Maru Metall and MDSC Systems OÜ, for the supply of modular hospitals and mobile units to the Estonian and Lithuanian Defence Forces. This is the first framework agreement enabling regular orders for new systems and upgrades, as well as providing maintenance, repairs and user training for medical units.
The order for one modular hospital will certainly be used to equip, among others, the 2nd Estonian Infantry Brigade, as well as hospitals for the Lithuanian and Estonian armies. These solutions are planned to be used for military exercises and in crisis situations. It is also known that MDSC Systems OÜ’s mobile medical units proved their worth during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The total value of the joint Estonian-Lithuanian framework agreement is €150 million. There is no information on the volume of deliveries to Lithuania.
The Kremlin on Russia’s ‘existential’ security and the Burievistnik tests
On 27 October 2025, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that ensuring national security is of existential importance for Russia, especially in the face of what he described as ‘growing militaristic sentiments in Europe’. The statement accompanied the announcement of the completion of tests of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik strategic manoeuvrable missile, which was to travel approximately 14,000 km, bypassing NATO’s missile defence systems. According to General Valery Gerasimov, the test confirmed the system’s ability to circumvent Western air defence measures.
The Kremlin is using the narrative of a ‘militaristic Europe’ to justify the development of strategic weapons and consolidate society around the idea of a threatened ‘fortress Russia’. In this context, the Burievistnik test is intended to emphasise Russia’s alleged technological superiority over the West.
The FSB intensifies counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has recently announced a series of counterintelligence and border protection operations. These included actions targeting the smuggling of goods from Kazakhstan and the dismantling of several criminal groups operating in the Moscow region. At the same time, the FSB is conducting preventive operations in the southern regions of the Federation, aimed at neutralising potential terrorist threats and maintaining ‘social stability’.
The FSB’s announcements are part of the narrative of an ‘internal threat’ and serve to legitimise the growing activity of the security apparatus. These actions also have a propaganda dimension – they reinforce the image of a state engaged in a ‘constant struggle’ against external and internal threats.
October marked by civil defence in Russia
On 1–2 October 2025, Russia conducted nationwide Civil Defence Command and Staff Exercises, covering all regions and crisis management structures. The scenarios included disaster simulations, mass evacuations, the activation of warning systems and testing the cooperation between services. At the same time, throughout October (1-30 October 2025), ‘Civil Defence Month’ is taking place – a series of local training sessions and educational activities in institutions and schools, aimed at testing the readiness of alarm systems, evacuation plans and the preparedness of citizens for emergency situations. The programme focuses on responding to potential military and technical threats.
Civil defence exercises in Russia are an annual, mandatory element of the national security system, carried out systematically in the first days of October and supplemented throughout the month with training and information campaigns, with an emphasis on practical responses to a wide range of modern threats.
News from the Eastern Flank Institute (EFI):
- On 22 October, a new report entitled ‘How to build national resilience in cooperation with entrepreneurs’ was released. It was prepared by the Eastern Flank Institute, Sobieski Institute, Oldman Sage and the Council of Polish Entrepreneurs (affiliated with Employers of Poland). It is a unique analysis in Poland of how the private sector can become an effective resource in the service of Poland’s national security. We encourage you to read it!
- The report was launched during the 2nd Ideas for Poland Forum organised by the Sobieski Institute. Representatives of the Eastern Flank Institute took part in the event, participating, among other things, in a panel discussion on civil defence and the economy in crisis situations.
- An article by General Valery Zaluzhny, published last week and written especially for the Eastern Flank Institute, has been widely discussed in public debate. Leading national portals have published reviews of the article, while an English translation has appeared on the Ukrainska Pravda website and gained publicity among commentators.
- The IWF was a content partner for two panels during the Law and Justice Congress ‘Thinking Poland’. The first was devoted to a new national deterrence model for Poland, while the second focused on the development of the national technological and industrial base in the field of security. Discussions involving Michał Dworczyk, Chairman of the IWF Programme Council, also touched upon the concept of universal national service.
Polsat TV, in partnership with the Eastern Flank Institute, produced a report on Ukrainian anti-drone defence. - On 28-30 October, the Krynica Forum, organised by the Jagiellonian Club, will take place. The event will be attended by, among others, members of the IWF Programme Council Michał Dworczyk and Tomasz Szatkowski, as well as our team expert Aleksandra Lisicka-Firlej.
