During Monday’s broadcast of Moscow’s TV show 60 Minutes, military expert Igor Korotchenko said: “The terrorist attack that caused Darya’s death is a joint military operation by the three special services, I will name those countries: Ukraine, Estonia and Great Britain.” - Julia Davis, Slate article - 22. Aug.

Moscow’s accusation that the suspect fled to Estonia is just its latest ‘provocation’

By Ido Vock

(The New Statesman, UK - 23. Aug.)

“Moscow has been angered by Estonia’s support for Ukraine – the country is the largest per capita donor of military aid to Kyiv – as well as by a decision to take down Soviet-era war memorials. The Estonian government has taken a consistently hawkish line within the EU, arguing for a ban on imports of Russian oil and gas and pushing for a ban on most visas issued to Russian citizens.”

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2022/08/daria-dugina-killing-estonia-russia-deny-involvement

Dugina tapja ega Eesti-seose kohta pole tõendeid

(Propastop, 24. Aug.)

“Seni ei ole ühtegi vettpidavat tõendit selle kohta, et Dugina tapmise eest on vastutav Natalja Vovk, ega ka selle kohta, et Natalja Vovk põgenes pärast teo korda saatmist läbi Pihkva Eestisse. Seetõttu võib öelda, et tegu on Venemaa provokatsiooniga Eesti vastu, mis on tõenäoliselt tingitud Eesti seisukohtadest, mis Venemaale vastumeelsed on.”

https://www.propastop.org/2022/08/24/dugina-tapja-ega-eesti-seose-kohta-pole-toendeid/

Russian media propagandists discuss retaliation against Russia’s nemesis, Estonia

(The Daily Beast, 22. Aug.)

“State Duma member Adalbi Shkhagoshev told the state media outlet RIA Novosti that the Estonian special services likely participated in what he described as “a terrorist plot” against Dugina. Estonia recently banned Russians with Estonian-issued Schengen visas from entering the country, and called on the EU to ban Russian tourists while the Kremlin is committing genocide in Ukraine.”

—

“This placed Estonia firmly in Russia’s crosshairs, with multiple Kremlin propagandists strategizing on-air how to retaliate against the country.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-calls-for-revenge-over-car-bomb-attack-on-darya-dugina?via=ios

“Estonia Rejects Russian Accusations After Car-Bomb Murder.” - Bloomberg

“Estonian representatives said that they could not share data about people who cross the border only on the basis of publications in the press.” - Saxon

“Russia threatens Estonia for harbouring 'Ukrainian spy’.” - WION, New Delhi

“Spin, spies and a plot that could backfire on the Kremlin.” - Mailplus

“Estonia says Moscow has not asked for help with the Dugina investigation.” - New York Times, 22. Aug.

“F.S.B. alleged the perpetrator of the bombing left Russia for Estonia.” - New York Times, 22. Aug.

“Estonian officials slam Russia for claiming the killer of Putin ally's daughter fled there.” - Business Insider, 23. Aug.

Friday 26. August

Häkkerid müüvad salastatud NATO, Ukraina, ja Eesti andmeid

(Postimees)

“NATO uurib häkkerirühmituse poolt internetis müüki pandud salastatud andmete lekkimist. Andmed sisaldavad NATO liitlaste poolt Ukraina konfliktis kasutatavate relvade kavandeid ja detaile Eestis toimunud missiooni kohta. Häkkerid müüvad Euroopa raketisüsteemide tootja MBDA Missile Systemsilt varastatud andmeid.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7592704/hakkerid-muuvad-salastatud-nato-andmeid

“Hackers are selling classified NATO, Ukrainian, and Estonian data.” - BBC

Eesti meediat tabas reede hommikul tugev küberrünnak

(ERR)

“Reede varahommikul hoogustusid küberrünnakud Eesti suurimate meediaväljaannete veebilehtedele ja need polnud mõnda aega lugejatele kättesaadavad. Ekspress Grupi juhi Mari-Liis Rüütsalu sõnul on viimasel paaril nädalal olnud rünnakud intensiivsemad kui varem.”

https://www.err.ee/1608696460/eesti-meediat-tabas-reede-hommikul-tugev-kuberrunnak

Kallas: kui Moskva ja Peterburi inimesed tunneksid sõda omal nahal, paneksid nad Kremlile surve peale

(Postimees)

“Ainult 10 protsenti elanikkonnast reisib välismaale ning nad on enamasti Moskvast ja Peterburist. Neil inimestel võiks olla mõju Kremli otsustele. Kui nad tunnevad seda kõike omal nahal, võivad nad panna Kremlile surve peale.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7592254/kallas-kui-moskva-ja-peterburi-inimesed-tunneksid-soda-omal-nahal-paneksid-nad-kremlile-surve-peale

Venemaa põletab otse Soome piiri ääres iga päev miljoneid kuupmeetreid gaasi

(Postimees)

“Norra energiauuringute firma Rystad Energy analüüsi kohaselt põletatakse Peterburist loodes Portovaja uue veeldatud maagaasi (LNG) tehase lähistel iga päev umbes 4,34 miljonit kuupmeetrit gaasi, mille väärtus jääb umbes kümne miljoni euro juurde.”

—

“Esimesi märke sellest, et Leningradi oblastis toimub midagi tavatut, märkasid teisel pool piiri elavad soomlased juba varem tänavu suvel, kui eemalt hakkas paistma suur leek. Portovaja gaasirajatised asuvad Soome lahe kaldal paigas, kust saab alguse Saksamaale gaasi transportiv torujuhe Nord Stream 1.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7592203/venemaa-poletab-otse-soome-piiri-aares-iga-paev-miljoneid-kuupmeetreid-gaasi

(LNG) plant at Portovaya, north-west of St Petersburg

As Europe's energy costs skyrocket, Russia is burning off large amounts of natural gas near Finnish border

(BBC)

“Germany's ambassador to the UK told BBC News that Russia was burning the gas because they couldn't sell it elsewhere.” Scientists are concerned about the large volumes of carbon dioxide and soot it is creating, which could exacerbate the melting of Arctic ice. The analysis by Rystad Energy indicates that around 4.34 million cubic metres of gas are being burned by the flare every day.”

—

It is coming from a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at Portovaya, north-west of St Petersburg. The first signs that something was awry came from Finnish citizens over the nearby border who spotted a large flame on the horizon earlier this summer. …”

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62652133

Estonia does not plan to demolish Tallinn’s Maarjamäe Memorial

(BNN)

“For us, the Maarjamäe Memorial is not a symbol of occupation but one of the most outstanding works of Estonian landscape architecture.”

https://bnn-news.com/the-estonian-government-do-not-plan-to-demolish-the-maarjamae-memorial-237474

Estonia sets 2030 target for renewable-only electricity

(ERR)

“Clearly, the current high electricity prices are due to a lack of generation capacity. High fossil fuel prices and a lack of generating capacity have put all consumers in a precarious situation, which must be dealt with immediately," Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Riina Sikkut (SDE) said.”

https://news.err.ee/1608695428/estonia-sets-2030-target-for-renewable-only-electricity

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant partly reconnected to Ukraine grid

(The Guardian | other sources)

“Three of the four power connections the plant relies on to keep its reactors cool were previously cut during fighting, and on Thursday, fires around the plant that Zelenskiy blamed on Russian shelling brought down the fourth, disconnecting it for the first time in its history. … Zelenskiy said the disconnection had put “Ukraine and all Europeans in a situation one step away from a radiation disaster”.”

—

“Ukraine’s authorities said backup systems had kicked in to ensure the cooling and safety systems at the plant but as of Friday morning, Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear agency, said efforts were still under way to link it back to the Ukrainian grid before announcing success in the early afternoon with the connection of one of its six reactors.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/26/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-still-disconnected-from-ukraine-grid?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

—

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/26/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-ukraine-russia-europe-radiation-disaster

—

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/25/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-disconnected-ukraine-grid-russia?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

—

https://twitter.com/ukraine_world/status/1560370933566771201

“One scenario showing how a nuclear cloud could travel after an accident at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.” - Ukraine World video

“Risk Of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Disaster? Just Another Tactic From Putin's Playbook.” - Worldcrunch

“USA mõistis hukka Venemaa tegevuse Zaporižžja tuumajaamas.” - Postimees

“This Is How You Get a Second Chernobyl.” - Rolling Stone

“Russia’s Newest Nuclear Threats.” - Jamestown

Thursday 25. August

Erakordselt madal veetase ohustab jõeelustikku

(Pärnu Postimees)

“Mitmes Pärnumaa jões on veetase langenud augusti miinimumi lähedale ja kahel keskkonnaagentuuri hüdroloogiaosakonna mõõdetaval jõel suisa rekordmadalale. Jõgede veetasemele on avaldanud eelkõige mõju viimaste nädalate soojad ja sademevaesed ilmad.”

https://parnu.postimees.ee/7591766/erakordselt-madal-veetase-ohustab-joeelustikku

Finnish-Estonian Cooperation is Turning Baltic Sea into a NATO-Lake

(Naval News)

“Finland and Estonia have reached an agreement that will see their respective navies integrate their coastal defences so that they can be better coordinated and close the Gulf of Finland to enemy vessels. … At the heart of the concept is the land-based missile batteries operated by both countries as well as the surface vessels of the Finnish Navy. These are to be Blue Spear missiles for Estonia. … Finland is currently using Saab’s RBS 15SF which will be replaced by the IAI Gabriel V missile in the near future. The weapons are likely related, and sport high subsonic speed, modern datalinks, secondary land-attack capability, and 200-300 km range.”

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/08/finnish-estonian-cooperation-turning-baltic-sea-into-a-nato-lake/

People Continue Crossing the Russian-Estonian Checkpoint Despite Sanctions

(SchengenVisaInfo)

“The number of border crossings between the Russian Federation and Estonia hasn’t been entirely cut off regardless of the entry ban introduced earlier by the Baltic country. … around 5,000 individuals crossing the border were recorded at the Narva checkpoint, with most of these people being Russian citizens who have a residence permit either in Estonia or another EU member state.”

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/people-continue-crossing-the-russian-estonian-checkpoint-despite-sanctions-authorities-report/

28% of Russian entrants into EU since 24. February came via Estonia

(ERR)

“Over 60% of the nearly one million citizens of the Russian Federation who have entered the European Union since the invasion of Ukraine starting February 24 have done so via Estonia and Finland, the union's border guard agency, Frontex, says, while the figure for Estonia alone is 28%.”

—

“Frontex data states that 998,085 Russian citizens have legally entered the EU since February 24, of which 281,957 did so by crossing the border into Estonia, and an even higher number, 329,185, into Finland. Entries into the two countries combined make up 61 percent of the total.”

https://news.err.ee/1608694828/28-percent-of-russian-entrants-into-eu-since-february-24-came-via-estonia

“Refugee pressure on Estonian social system less than feared.” - ERR

“Finland had become a “transit country” for Russian tourists - Porsches and Bentleys fill Helsinki airport as Russian tourists head to Europe.” - Guardian

“Russian tourists entering Europe pose security threat' says Kaja Kallas.” - Sky News video

“5,323 Ukrainian refugees registered as unemployed in Estonia.” - The Baltic Times

“Russian visa ban a matter of national security and EU credibility.” - Euractiv

Latvia topples Soviet-era obelisk amid backlash against Russia

(The Guardian | BBC)

“A concrete obelisk topped by Soviet stars that was the centrepiece of a monument to the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany was taken down in Latvia’s capital on Thursday, the latest in a series of Soviet monuments brought down after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. … A Latvian media outlet broadcast the event live.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/25/latvia-topples-soviet-era-obelisk-amid-backlash-against-russia?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

—

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-62682771

“Eesti politsei turvas veekahuriga Riias punamonumendi mahavõtmist.” - Postimees

“Riia punamonumendi lammutamine märgib nõukogude ideoloogiajäänukite lõppu.” - Postimees

First IKEA store in Estonia opens

(Ikea press release)

“The IKEA Tallinn store is located 20 minutes from the capital city centre, by Kurna village.”

https://about.ikea.com/en/newsroom/2022/08/25/we-say-hej-and-welcome-to-the-first-ikea-store-in-estonia

Finland Really Has to Stop Being Such an Incredible Loser About Its Hot, Dancing Prime Minister 

By Imogen West-Knights, Slate

“… have you seen the video? She looks great! She is dancing in a way that is not embarrassing! I will go to my grave without having erased the memory of Theresa May’s various dancing attempts, which looked like you instructed an elderly Sim to bust a move, or Boris Johnson dancing at his own wedding in the manner of a bear cub succumbing to the effects of a tranquilizer dart.”

—

“Marin was letting off some steam. Good! For too long the world has been run by stuffy losers who go out less than the Olympic torch.”

https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/08/sanna-marin-party-finald-prime-minister-dancing-scandal.html

“Sanna Marin party row reflects Finland’s low threshold for scandal.” - The Guardian

“Finland’s prime minister parties like a rock star. We Finns are OK with that.” - CNN

“I’m human. And also I need some light, joy and fun in the middle of these dark clouds …”  - Helsinki Times

“Sanna Marin has apologised for the second time in a week.” - Guardian

“Marin sanoi, että kulunut viikko ei ole ollut helpoin hänen elämässään.” - Yle

Wednesday 24. August

Anxiety among Estonia’s Russians

(The Guardian)

“Estonia’s government, led by Kaja Kallas, has taken a strong line on the need to turn the screw on Russia by strengthening the economic sanctions imposed by the west on its economy, ban travel visas for the country’s nationals and tear down Soviet Union imagery, such as monuments commemorating the second world war. It is a dynamic that risks dangerous misunderstandings taking hold in which opposition to Putin’s Russia could be interpreted as disapproval of Russians at large.”

—

“Karsten Brüggemann, a professor of Estonian history at Tallinn University, said the financial assistance being offered to Ukrainian refugees was also being seen as a threat by some in the Russian community. “Because they see how much money the state is giving to Ukrainian refugees and they haven’t got anything”, he says. “[For] some of the Russians who are in a socioeconomically poor situation this really is quite irritating to say the least.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/22/always-looking-shoulder-anxiety-estonia-russians-tallinn

The Russian Foreign Ministry shared a video justifying the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact

(ERR | BNN)

“The video makes no mention of the MRP secret protocols used to divide Europe into spheres of influence.”

https://news.err.ee/1608693466/russia-justifies-pact-between-soviet-union-and-nazi-germany-on-twitter

—

https://bnn-news.com/russia-shares-video-on-twitter-that-justifying-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-237526

Ethnic Estonians and Russian-speakers differ over the war in Ukraine

(Politico Europe)

“Among the population of Estonia, definitely suspicion has risen towards the Russian-speaking population,” said Kristjan Kaldur, a senior analyst at the Institute of Baltic Studies, adding that Soviet monument removals and Tallinn saying Russian people are also to blame for the war in Ukraine is angering ethnic Russians.”

—

“In an op-ed marking Estonia’s Day of Restoration of Independence on Saturday, the country’s President Alar Karis acknowledged that “trust must be restored between Narva and the government. Russia’s war revived those monuments’ forgotten meaning,” he said of the T-34 tank, while adding: “Estonia is a country for us all, with all our differences.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-russia-estonia-narva-ethnic-relation-integration/

Putin won’t shrink from triggering Chernobyl 2.0

(Japan Times, 24. Aug)

“Never before has a nuclear power plant been on the front line of a major war, and indeed a main object of the warring parties’ strategies. How Russia, Ukraine and the rest of the world handle this moment of peril is becoming a test of how war will be waged in our time — and whether it can ever be limited.”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2022/08/24/commentary/world-commentary/ukraine-nuclear-plant-fighting/

- Putin’s War -

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: 25. August 2022

(ISW)

“Russian President Vladimir Putin’s August 25 decree to increase the size of the Russian military starting in January 2023 is unlikely to generate significant combat power in the near future and indicates that Putin is unlikely to order a mass mobilization soon.”

https://www.iswresearch.org/2022/08/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment_25.html

Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows Ukraine will retake Crimea by any means

(Deutsche Welle)

“… and that it would not consult other countries before doing so.”

https://www.dw.com/en/volodymyr-zelenskyy-vows-ukraine-will-retake-crimea/a-62902884

“Lääne luureametnike sõnul sai Venemaa sadu Iraani droone.” - Postimees

“Opinion: The new Ukraine is Putin's nightmare.” - Deutsche Welle

“Kolonel Margo Grosberg: ajaaken suuremateks muutusteks sõjas sulgub peagi.” - ERR

“Signs to bomb shelters to be placed in Sevastopol, Crimea.” - Meduza

“689 people have been killed or wounded by cluster bombs in Ukraine.” - DW

“The stalemate in Ukraine won’t last forever.” - The Spectator

“Americans Told to GTFO of Ukraine Amid Warnings of Russian Strikes, ‘Radioactive Dust’.” - The Daily Beast

“Kremlin Official Reveals What It Would Take for Russia to Use Nuclear Weapons.” - Daily Beast

"There are networks of billionaires who essentially are arms of the Kremlin.” - Zeit

“Russian Forces in Ukraine have Destroyed Almost 60 Times More Civilian Facilities than Military Ones.” - Paul Goble

“Russians exported all 200,000 tons of grain collected in the Agrotona fields from the Luhansk region to Russia." - Rubryka

Mis on valesti FSB «faktidega» Darja Dugina surma asjus?

(Postimees)

“Pärast seda, kui FSB teatas Putini poolt Ukrainas peetava sõja ideoloogi Aleksandr Dugini propagandistist tütre Darja Dugina kõmulise mõrva lahendamisest, leidsid vaatlejad Venemaa eriteenistuste versioonis palju ebakõlasid ja vassimist, kirjutab Rus.Postimees. …”

https://www.postimees.ee/7590296/vovk-on-naisteroivaste-brand-ukrainas-mis-on-valesti-fsb-faktidega-darja-dugina-surma-asjus

Car bomb that killed the daughter of a notorious Putin ally will mark a sinister turning point for Russia

By Julia Davis

The Daily Beast - 22. Aug.

“Dugina's father is known as a key architect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was initially believed to have been the target of Saturday's attack, but the Federal Security Service (the FSB) claimed in an official statement on Monday that Dugina herself was specifically targeted. The FSB accused a Ukrainian citizen of renting an apartment in the building where Dugina lived, following her with intent to kill, detonating the bomb in Dugina’s car and fleeing from Russia to Estonia. State media propagandists immediately started to discuss the retaliation against Russia’s nemesis, Estonia, for its anticipated refusal to cooperate with Russia’s investigation.”

—

“During Monday’s broadcast of the state TV show 60 Minutes, military expert Igor Korotchenko said: “The terrorist attack that caused Darya’s death is a joint military operation by the three special services, I will name those countries: Ukraine, Estonia and Great Britain.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russia-calls-for-revenge-over-car-bomb-attack-on-darya-dugina?via=ios

“Putin’s New Martyr for the Russian Cause.” - Foreign Policy

“Her death may have an impact far beyond the Russian capital. Or it might not.” - The Atlantic

“Opinion: The Moscow car bombing is bizarre. Don’t believe whatever the Kremlin says.” - Washington Post, 22. Aug

“Russia uses Darya Dugina’s funeral to justify invasion of Ukraine.” - EL PAÍS

“Daria Dugina become a martyr for Putin.” - The Spectator, UK

The Dugina Killing Aftermath: The rabbit hole deepens

(The Bulwark)

“Among independent Russian journalists, the FSB version of events was met with near-universal skepticism and derision. … A few people joked that, judging by the speed of the investigation, the murder was solved before it happened.”

—

“Everything about this case is strange,” as Zhirnov put it—and it is likely that we’ll be left with another Russian mystery. That Dugin exhorted the old regime to “bury its dead” on the day of an explosion that would leave him to bury his own daughter is just one of those eerie coincidences that makes life—especially life in the 2020s!—stranger than fiction.”

https://www.thebulwark.com/the-dugina-killing-aftermath/

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