15 Facts About Riho Terras

Riho Terras was born on 17 April 1967 and is an Estonian politician and a former military officer who is serving as a member of the European Parliament since 1 February 2020.

Riho Terras was the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces from 2011 to 2018.

Riho Terras was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019 and took his seat after Brexit.

Riho Terras was born on April 17,1967 in the city of Kohtla-Jarve in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Riho Terras later studied history at University of Tartu, during which he became a member of the Estonian Defence League.

Riho Terras joined Johannes Kert in the defence of radio and television buildings in Tallinn during the 1991 Soviet coup d'etat attempt.

Riho Terras was persuaded by Ants Laaneots to become a member of the Estonian Defence Forces.

Between 1993 and 1994 Riho Terras served as the commander of the Pohja Single Infantry Company.

Riho Terras was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Defence League Headquarters in 2000.

Between 2005 and 2008 Riho Terras served as the Chief of the Analysis and Planning Department and as Chief of the Planning Section, Analysis and Planning Department in the Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters.

In 2007, Riho Terras served in the NATO Training Mission - Iraq as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Riho Terras was confirmed in December 2008 as Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence.

Riho Terras served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Estonian Defence forces from January 2011 to March 2011 and then continued his service as the Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces.

Riho Terras was appointed the Chief of Defence on 5 December 2011.

Riho Terras's wife Kaili is an Ambassador-at-large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Education.