Estonia sees no cause for panic over continued warnings of Russian provocations
By Meinhard Pulk
The Baltic Sentinel
“Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas believes Russia is seeking alternative victories and that the Baltic region and Poland could be its next targets. Estonian politicians and experts, however, see no major change in the threat assessment.”
“Lithuanian and Latvian leaders warn Russia planning infrastructure attacks on Baltics or Poland.”
Euronews
“Putin’s next move will be Baltic incursion, warns top Russian dissident Garry Kasparov.”
Politico Europe
“Poland’s Russia Warnings Are Alarming. They Are Also Unclear.”
The Baltic Sentinel
“Vene eliidi seas kasvab surve sõja lõpetamiseks – Putinil on laual ainult halvad valikud.”
Mark Galeotti - Postimees tellimus
Seto Kingdom to be proclaimed for a day on 1. August
ERR
“On the first Saturday of August, the Southeastern Estonian village of Mikitamäe will become the Seto Kingdom for a day, welcoming thousands to celebrate all things Seto. Launched in 1994, Seto Kingdom Day is an annual gathering of Seto people, friends and supporters from both near and far, celebrating the Seto language, food, culture, history and people.”
https://news.err.ee/1610082691/seto-kingdom-to-be-proclaimed-for-a-day-on-august-1
“How Estonia’s Setos are navigating a modernizing world and geopolitics.”
New Eastern Europe
“Sada aastat varjul olnud setokeelsed muinasjutud jõudsid raamatukaante vahele.”
ERR
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Cover photo:
Alutaguse metskond, Eesti
https://blog.moment.ee/2026/07/habekakk-great-grey-owl-strix-nebulosa-30.html
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Sõjalised õppetunnid Ukrainast, mida Eesti peab rakendama
Postimees arvamus
“Selles artiklis vaatame lahingufunktsioone Ukraina sõja seisukohalt: kaitstus, õhukaitse ning lahinguteenindustoetus. Keskendume seejuures Eesti ühiskonnas enim tähelepanu pälvinud, kuid ka ohtlikult tähelepanuta jäänud teemadele nende kolme lahingufunktsiooni raames. Ajastule kohaselt puudutame eelkõige droonide poolt esilekutsutud muudatusi, kirjutavad kindralmajor reservis Veiko-Vello Palm ja kindral reservis Martin Herem.”
Tallinn’s Old Town is sinking
By Liisa Kukk
ERR
“We have identified more than 20 buildings where there have been signs that the structures have been damaged for one reason or another. Considering the number of buildings in the Old Town, that's quite a large number and there could actually be more. The conclusion is that they require fairly extensive reconstruction work, so it is certainly a significant expense for property owners," said Toomas Haidak, head of the department's development and planning service.”
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“There are several possible reasons why buildings in the Old Town are subsiding. One suspected cause is spring water flowing downhill from Toompea into the lower town. Here have historically been springs on Toompea and the water flows downhill toward the sea. Naturally, the area between Pikk and Lai streets forms something like a bowl, so the water collects there. If it cannot continue flowing, it creates significant structural problems for the buildings.”
https://news.err.ee/1610070397/tallinn-old-town-is-sinking
Estonia Won the War on Fentanyl. What Came Next Was Even Worse.
New York Times gift article
“By 2018, fentanyl overdoses in Estonia had plummeted. But powerful new drugs are appearing fast, with the authorities racing to respond.”
Meat producer's advertisement sparks backlash
Postimees
“A new advertisement by Estonian meat producer Rannarootsi has come under heavy criticism The advertisement features two young men wearing T-shirts with Ukrainian flags grilling meat, while a smoke-covered coastline can be seen in the background.”
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“According to the CEO, the photograph used in the campaign was inspired by current news coverage.”
https://news.postimees.ee/8514379/meat-producer-s-advertisement-sparks-backlash
Who will be Estonia's next president?
ERR
“Several names have emerged as potential candidates to succeed Alar Karis. Estonia's presidents are elected by the members of the Riigikogu, not the public, and a two-thirds majority – 68 of 101 votes – is needed to secure victory. Parties must work together to find a joint candidate, which has proved easier said than done in the past.”
https://news.err.ee/1610084608/who-wants-to-be-estonia-s-next-president
“Estonia's quiet presidential race could shake up politics.”
The Baltic Times
ERR
Orthodox monks are the first to live and pray at a monastery in Estonia after 80 years
AP via The Canadian Press
“Estonia's Kirikla Orthodox Monastery is the first of its kind to be established by the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church in decades. Founded last year, it marks the return of Orthodox monks to Estonia after more than 80 years. Bishop Damaskinos leads the monastery, which attracts young people seeking a break from modern life.”
How Ando Kiviberg turned the Viljandi Folk Music Festival into an Estonian institution
By Justin Petrone
Estonian World
“Musician, former mayor and self-styled “chief” Ando Kiviberg has spent three decades turning a fledgling folk gathering into one of Estonia’s defining cultural events.”
Drones to reshape Nato's Eastern flank replacing tanks in Estonia
BFBS | UKDJ
“The new Mobile Anti-Armour Force will deploy from April 2027 and operate in a more dispersed formation intended to make troops and equipment harder to detect and strike. … Rocket artillery and air defence will be retained.”
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“Joint wargaming with Estonia found the new formation would have a greater operational effect than the armoured force currently deployed there.”
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https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-replacing-tanks-deployed-in-estonia-with-drones/
“UK swaps tanks for drones in the Baltics: ‘The way of war is changing’.”
LRT
ERR
“Ukrainian-Estonian Drone Developer Black Forest Systems Raises €450,000.”
UBN
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“Hiiumaal valmis radaripost Eesti õhuseire tugevdamiseks.”
Postimees
“Camp Counsellors from Estonia Reflect on Preserving Estonian Traditions at Jõekääru.”
Eesti Elu
“Archaeologists find papal seal in a Tallinn courtyard.”
ERR
“Study: Estonian children are becoming financially independent at an increasingly early age.”
Baltic Times
“Stalin-era ceiling mural covered up at Tallinn cultural center.”
ERR
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Around the Baltic Sea
On the Ground Along NATO’s Eastern Flank
Politico Magazine
“Reporters from Axel Springer’s Global Reporters Network traveled to three exposed stretches of Europe’s eastern frontier — Finland’s forested border with Russia, Poland’s fortified line with Kaliningrad and Belarus and Lithuania’s vulnerable edge near the Suwałki Gap — to see how ready NATO’s frontline states are for the possibility that Moscow will attack the alliance.”
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“What we observed was a continent racing to harden its eastern edge against a threat it can no longer assume Washington will handle. As U.S. President Donald Trump questions old security guarantees and looks to reduce America’s military footprint in Europe, the countries closest to Russia are building fortifications, expanding reserves, buying tanks and drones and preparing for the possibility that the first days of any conflict may be theirs to fight largely alone.”
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/07/05/nato-eastern-flank-putin-russia-finland-00983997
Finland Returns to Underground Fortifications
The Baltis Sentinel
“Finland is expanding its capacity to construct covered trenches and underground fighting positions as the growing use of drones forces militaries to reconsider how troops can survive on the modern battlefield.”
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“Finland is also restoring older coastal fortifications and constructing modular concrete bunkers in several parts of the country. Many of the existing defensive sites were originally built in strategically valuable locations during earlier periods of Russian or Soviet military pressure.”
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“Although some were abandoned or neglected after World War II, their geography remains relevant. The country has a long history of building defensive lines against threats from the east. The Mannerheim Line was constructed on the Karelian Isthmus before the Winter War, while the larger Salpa Line was built after that conflict and during the Continuation War.”
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“The Salpa Line included more than 700 concrete or rock-cut bunkers, approximately 3,000 field fortifications, and roughly 217 miles of fighting and connecting trenches. Its antitank defenses extended for more than 124 miles.”
Russia's Next Frontline: Finland, Poland & Estonia
The Washington Times
Video report
“Journalist John Seward travels through Finland, Estonia and Poland to examine how America’s allies are preparing, what they contribute to NATO and why the security of Europe’s eastern edge matters to the United States and in the war with Russia. He sits down with a foreign affairs minister, multiple defense ministers, an intelligence chief, a coast guard captain and border patrol officers across three countries to hear how they see the threat — and how they see the U.S.”
https://youtu.be/FcUvvIrcq50?si=J82w8TsXCkGB3bfd
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“NestAI unveils European-made military AI backed by Finland and Estonia.”
Euractiv
“Moscow Finalizing Plans to Take Baltic Countries to International Court of Justice.”
By Paul Goble
“Belarus is Five Minutes Away from Totalitarianism.”
By Paul Goble
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