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21 October, 2022

 

Riigikogu declares Russian Federation a terrorist regime
(ERR | RFERL | Politico)
“The Statement, which passed with 88 votes at the 101-seat chamber, added that Estonia will never recognize the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine through aggressions and sham referenda.”
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'Putin should go to hell’
(Deutsche Welle)
“In an interview with DW, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said the Western community has not done enough yet to help Ukraine. He added that "no nation in Europe can sleep in peace when Putin's regime is in power."
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Estonia plans to raise its defence budget by 42 % in 2023
(Army Technology)
“Estonia plans to raise its defence budget by 42% in 2023. The NATO frontline state will set aside 3% of gross domestic product for defence spending, marking a ‘full percentage point higher’ than the goal set by the alliance.”








Russia will likely need two to four years to rebuild its military strength
(Defense Post | France24)
“… to what it was before the Ukraine war, Estonia’s defense minister said Tuesday, urging continued pressure to keep Moscow in check. On a visit to Washington, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur predicted a long war and urged the West to stand with Ukrainians until they achieve victory for “the free world.”
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Friday 21. October


Uus kapo peadirektor: Venemaa oli, on ja jääb ohuks Eesti julgeolekule
(ERR)
“Siseminister Lauri Läänemets esitab valitsusele kaitsepolitseiameti peadirektori kandidaadiks Margo Pallosoni ja päästeameti peadirektori kandidaadiks Margo Klaose.”




Vaata, kuidas Eestis toodetud luuredroon aitas Ukrainas Vene konvoi õhku lasta
(Postimees)
[Video of a reconnaissance drone, manufactured in Estonia, which helped destroy a Russian convoy in Ukraine.]




Pätsi pea pidulikku avamist
(Postimees |ERR)
“Pätsi mälestusmärgi kavandivõistluse võitsid 2020. aasta suvel kujur Vergo Vernik ja arhitekt Toivo Tammik. Konstantin Pätsi muuseum korraldas monumendi rajamiseks korjanduse ja sõlmis Tallinna linnavalitsusega lepingu ausamba püstitamiseks Uuele turule.”
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Estonia in Second Place On Internet Freedom
(Estonian World)
“… according to the Freedom on the Net 2022 report, compiled by Freedom House, Iceland is first. Costa Rica came third, Canada fourth and Taiwan fifth. The United Kingdom is ranked sixth and the United States eleventh. Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Sweden are not included in the index.”




A guide to working in the Tallinn, Estonia tech scene
(Information Age)
“The Estonian government has, for a long time, championioned technology companies in the region. The country has dedicated funds to help build and bring together local startup communities. The government has also developed regulatory frameworks to help startups to get up and running or raise funding.
Another big player in Estonia’s success is its people. Estonian education is one of the best in the world, according to the OECD. The country is relatively small with just 440,000 people living in Tallinn, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in quality.”
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“The share of Estonians working in the tech industry has been growing every year, and now accounts for close to 6 % of the entire workforce in 2022.”




St Petersburg court finds Finland guilty of 'genocide' during 1940s Leningrad siege
(Yle)
“The court's ruling specified that the siege of the Soviet city involved ‘the occupying forces and German troops, their accomplices— armed units formed on the territory of Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland, and individual Austrian, Latvian, Polish, French and Czech volunteers’."




See oli esimene kord, kui Putin näitas oma tõelist palet
(Eesti Päevaleht - video, parts are in English)
[20 years since the "Nord-Ost" hostage crisis in Moscow, Anastasia Kurbatova and Natalia Pelevina have explored what happened in October 2002 from its first moments. They both see clear lies in the official version of the event that shook Russia to this day.]







Court rules against Vesterbacka's Tallinn-Helsinki tunnel project
(Baltic Times)
“In a legal dispute between Finnish businessman Peter Vesterbacka and Estonian public agencies blocking his initiative to build an undersea tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn, the administrative court, too, decided to rule against the project on Wednesday. Vesterbacka's idea for the tunnel was turned down by the Estonian government last year. “






Thursday 20. October


Finland: PM Sanna Marin isn’t expecting Hungary and Turkey to block her country’s NATO bid
(Politico)
“… but warned of the risks of delaying accession. … “I have spoken both with Prime Minister Orbán and also President ErdoÄŸan about the situation and our knowledge is that there shouldn’t be any problems when it comes to Finland and our application,” the Finnish leader said.”








Finnair’s Huge Bet on Faster Flights to Asia Suddenly Came Undone
(New York Times - paywall)
“Finland spent decades leveraging its location to become a popular gateway for Asian travelers. Its flagship airline, Finnair, offered flights from Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai to Helsinki that, by crossing over Russia, were hours shorter than flights to any other European capital. Airport chiefs invested nearly $1 billion in a new terminal with streamlined transfers. There were signs in Japanese, Korean and Chinese, and hot water dispensers for the instant noodle packets favored by Chinese tourists.”
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“Then Russia sent troops across Ukraine’s border on Feb. 24, and overnight the carefully constructed game table was overturned.”




Why the West Can’t Afford To Forget About Belarus
(Time)
“Belarus has played an important, if slightly understated, role in Russia’s war in Ukraine. In the days leading up to the invasion, Lukashenko invited Russia to stage its troops and equipment on Belarusian soil in a move that seemed to formalize the country’s status as a Russian vassal state. While Belarusian troops have yet to be deployed to fight in neighboring Ukraine, Lukashenko has not ruled out their direct involvement.”
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“… weaponization of Belarusian territory poses a potential vulnerability for NATO, particularly as it concerns the alliance’s Baltic members. Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have long regarded Belarus as a key buffer between themselves and Russia. By permitting Russian troops in Belarus, Lukashenko has not only brought Moscow closer to the doorsteps of the Baltic countries, but he has also granted Russia direct access to the strategic “SuwaÅ‚ki Corridor,” a 65-mile stretch of land sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania that connects Belarus with the westernmost and non-contiguous Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, which sits on the Baltic Sea. The prevailing concern is that if Russian troops are able to control the SuwaÅ‚ki Corridor from either side, they could effectively use it to cut off NATO’s Baltic members from the rest of the alliance, posing a major challenge if NATO wished to send ground troops to reinforce its eastern flank. …”
Or:




Panic as Russia Drags Belarus to the Brink of War
(The Daily Beast | Politico | NYT)
“Russia is sending as many as 9,000 servicemen and hundreds of armored vehicles to Belarus, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, Belarusian forces are set to conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches with the Russians. It is the latest sign that Belarus, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has used as a staging ground for the war in Ukraine, may be preparing its armed forces for more action.”
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Wednesday 19. October


Eesti kaitse-eelarve ületab esimest korda miljardi piiri
(Postimees)
“Kriitilise tähtsusega võimetest arendame 2025. aastaks välja keskmaa õhutõrje, täiendame kaudtulevõimet uute mitmikraketiheitjatega, tugevdame rannikukaitset, täiendame laskemoonavarusid ja arendame liitlaste vastuvõtmiseks vajalikku taristut.”
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“Lisaks jätkame maakaitse suurendamist enam kui 10 000 võitleja võrra. See kõik loob meie kaitsevõimes uue kvaliteedi ja kujundab meie riigikaitse reaalset võimet seista koos NATO liitlastega vastu igale agressioonikatsele.”




Helme tõusis peaministriuuringus teiseks, Kaja Kallas selgelt esikohal
(Estonian World Review)
“Eesti Päevalehe korraldatud peaministriuuringust selgus, et EKRE esimehe Martin Helme toetus on viimasel ajal teinud märkimisväärse tõusu, olles nüüdseks jõudnud Keskerakonna liidri Jüri Ratase omaga samale positsioonile.

Leht kirjutab, et esikohta hoiab selgelt Kaja Kallas (Reformierakond, 29 %), kuid teisel kohal on nüüd Ratas ja Helme 17%-ga. See tähendab, et kui Ratas kaotas taas kaks protsendipunkti toetust, siis Helme populaarsus suurenes ühe kuu jooksul 12%-st 17%-ni.”






Estonia turns back to shale oil as it cuts off Russian power
(Reuters)
“… and halted other imports in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Estonia restarted its shale oil power plants and set back its efforts to phase out heavily polluting fuels. It mirrors actions across the European Union as governments wean themselves off Russian gas, which once supplied the bloc with about 40% of its needs, and race to find other gas suppliers or alternative fuels for winter.”






Finland backs plans to build Russia border fence
(The Guardian)
“Helsinki is increasingly concerned about large-scale illegal crossings of the 830-mile (1,340km) eastern border it shares with Russia – the longest of any EU member – as thousands of Russians flee Moscow’s partial mobilisation in response to its faltering war in Ukraine. It is also concerned about the prospect of Moscow deploying orchestrated mass migration as a form of hybrid warfare, as Belarus was accused of doing last year by Poland and the Baltic states …”




Martial Law: ’Preparation for Mass Deportations’ of Ukrainians
By Paul Goble
“Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, says that what Putin is doing  (in the annexed parts of Ukraine) represents “preparation for the mass deportation of the Ukrainian population into depressed regions of Russia in order to change the ethnic composition of the occupied territories.”






Sergei Lavrov: Russia has no need to maintain diplomatic presence in western countries
(The Daily Beast)
“… in the latest sign that Russia may be toying with the idea of completely severing diplomatic ties with western countries as its war in Ukraine nears the nine month mark.”
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“There is neither point nor desire to maintain the previous presence in Western states. Our people work there in conditions that can hardly be called human,” Lavrov said, according to TASS. “Problems are being created constantly for them; they face threats of physical assaults.”








Tuesday 18. October


Kellest saab järgmine NATO peasekretär?
Edward Lucas, Postimees
“Eesti peaministril Kaja Kallasel on head Å¡ansid tõusta järgmiseks NATO peasekretäriks, leiab kolumnist Edward Lucas.”




Soome keskpank kutsub inimesi üles sularaha varuma
(Postimees)
“Soome pank soovitab igaühel varuda endale koju nii palju sularaha, et sellega saaks mõnda aega ära elada, vahendab Iltalehti. Inimestel tasub mõelda, kuidas nad hakkama saavad, kui tavapärased teenused pole enam kättesaadavad.”




Estonia’s defense chief on Russia, Iran
(Politico)
“Yes, those are Iranian-provided drones that Russia is using to destroy and spread terror in Ukraine. Estonia isn't concerned that, despite Minority Leader Kevin Mccarthy’s comments, a Republican-led House wouldn’t support Ukraine. And, whoops, Tallinn assesses Russia’s military will be able to reconstitute itself despite Western sanctions. Those are NatSec Daily’s takeaways from a public event Tuesday with Estonian Defense Minister HANNO PEVKUR. …”




NATO Takes to the Skies in Massive Nuclear Drills - ‘No Live Weapons’
(National Interest)
“A NATO news release explains that "exercise ‘Steadfast Noon’ involves 14 countries and up to 60 aircraft of various types, including fourth and fifth generation fighter jets, as well as surveillance and tanker aircraft. As in previous years, US B-52 long-range bombers will take part; this year, they will fly from Minot Air Base in North Dakota. Training flights will take place over Belgium, which is hosting the exercise, as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom. No live weapons are used."







Bold Hussar 2022 In Estonia
(Joint-Forces)
“BOLD HUSSAR concludes a series of OKAS combat readiness exercises. In total, more than 7,000 soldiers, reservists and defence allies from Estonia, Great Britain, Denmark, France, Belgium and Germany have taken part in the exercise at various stages.”




Nord Stream 1 and 2: First underwater images reveal devastating damage
(RFERL | The Guardian)
“Four holes were found in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines on September 26.”
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“They appear to show long tears in the seabed near the concrete-reinforced steel pipe that was not merely cracked but torn apart in an act of suspected sabotage.”
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“At least 50 metres of the gas pipeline appears to be missing.”
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- Putin’s War -



Zelenskiy accuses Russia of plotting to blow up Ukrainian dam
(The Guardian)
“… destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam would mean large-scale disaster for towns and cities. … The 30 metre-high dam, which holds back 18m cubic metres of water, straddles the Dnieper River upstream from Russian-held Kherson and is about 20 miles from advancing Ukrainian forces hoping to recapture both it and the occupied city.”







Ukrainian forces bombard river crossing; Kherson a fortress
(AP)
“Ukrainian forces bombarded Russian positions in the occupied and illegally annexed southern Kherson region, targeting resupply routes across a major river while inching closer Friday to a full assault on one of the first urban areas Russia captured after invading the country. Russian-installed officials were reported desperately trying to turn the city of Kherson, a prime objective for both sides because of its key industries and major river and sea port, into a fortress while attempting to evacuate tens of thousands of residents.”
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“The Kremlin poured as many as 2,000 draftees into the Kherson region — one of four provinces Moscow illegally annexed and put under Russian martial law — to replenish losses and strengthen front-line units …”




Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: 20. October
(ISW)
“Russia is likely preparing a false flag attack on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.”
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“Russian forces are likely setting conditions to remove military and occupation elements from the west bank of the Dnipro River in anticipation of imminent Ukrainian advances.”
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“Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are in Russian-occupied Crimea to train Russian forces.”
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“Risk of a Russian offensive from Belarus into northern Ukraine remains low.”




As War Hits the Homefront, Russia’s Defeat Inches Closer
(Foreign Policy)
“By many accounts, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is already a colossal failure. The confirmed losses of destroyed and abandoned tanks and other armor alone exceed the entire army of a decent-sized Central or Eastern European country, and the rate of loss doesn’t look likely to be reversed anytime soon. Citing sources close to the Kremlin, Russian independent media reported 90,000 irrecoverably lost soldiers, including battlefield and hospital deaths plus injuries severe enough to prevent them from ever fighting again. These losses now exceed those incurred during Russia’s wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya …”
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“Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “partial mobilization,” which he recently promised will be over in two weeks just before the regular annual military draft begins, has also been a failure on all levels.”
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“Putin’s final and irreversible retreat from Ukraine wouldn’t be the first time post-Soviet Russia has admitted a humiliating military defeat.”




This Is Terrorism, Carried Out by Idiots
(Spiegel)
“Recent battlefield victories have triggered euphoria in Ukraine. Even Vladimir Putin's missile attacks have failed to break the fighting spirit. But how are Ukrainians coping with the constant emotional strain of war?”













Russia has destroyed 30 % of Ukraine’s power stations
(Politico-Europe)
“… recent wave of Russian air strikes has caused ‘massive blackouts’ across the country.”




Putin declares martial law in annexed regions of Ukraine 
(AP)
“… and gave all regional governors in Russia emergency powers that open the door for sweeping new restrictions throughout the country. Putin didn’t immediately spell out the steps that would be taken under martial law, but said his order was effective starting Thursday. His decree gave law enforcement agencies three days to submit specific proposals and orders the creation of territorial defense forces in the annexed regions.”
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“We are working to solve very difficult large-scale tasks to ensure Russia’s security and safe future, to protect our people,” Putin said in televised remarks at the start of a Security Council meeting. “Those who are on the frontlines or undergoing training at firing ranges and training centers should feel our support and know that they have our big, great country and unified people behind their back.”




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