Kaja Kallas scandal: The story so far
(ERR)
“… the scandal revolves around Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' husband Arvo Hallik's business activity in Russia during the Ukraine war.”
https://news.err.ee/1609078387/kaja-kallas-scandal-the-story-so-far
“Reformierakond Kaja Kallase tagasiastumist ei soovi.” - ERR
“Küsitlus: 66% peab vajalikuks Kaja Kallase tagasiastumist.” - Estonian World Review
“Poll: 66 % of Estonians say Kallas should resign.” - Estonian World
“Embattled Estonian Premier Says She’ll Win Bid to Stay in Power.” - Bloomberg
Beta Film Drops Trailer for ‘Estonia’
(Variety | Vimeo)
“The eight-part cinematic show, which is represented in international markets by Jan Mojto’s Beta Film (“Babylon Berlin”), charts the sinking of the Ms Estonia on Sept. 28, 1994, which killed over 850 people. The series is directed by Swedish director Måns Månsson and Finnish director Juuso Syrjä.”
Trailer:
Variety Article:
Close to Estonian border, 4 Russian cargo aircraft destroyed in Pskov
(Guardian | AP)
“… a huge fire erupted at a military airfield in the city of Pskov, where elite paratroopers are garrisoned. Tass news agency reported at least four giant Il-76 transport planes were damaged, two of which had "burst into flames”. The attacks coincided with Russia's most severe air strikes on Ukraine's capital for months. Pskov is about 500 miles (800km) from Ukraine’s border, and the surrounding region borders the EU member states of Latvia and Estonia.”
—
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-a9fc4ddad80a906e85aacca7354eb317
“Satellite images of drone attack on Pskov air base.” - The Drive
“Estonia Denies Link to Pskov Airport Drone Strike.” - Newsweek
“Latvia denies involvement in Pskov drone incident.” - Latvian Broadcasting
“Vene tagalat tabas seni suurim droonirünnak.” - Postimees
“Pihkvas hakkas kohalike teatel taas õhutõrje tööle.” - Postimees
“Venemaa hiiglaslikul territooriumil jagub sihtmärke igale maitsele.” - Estonian World Review
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Cover: Mirror-image foto by Martin Mark
https://matugraphy.com/orioni-peegeldus/
EstoNews on-line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
Dropbox Archive:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1kvd04gtar6ty2b/AADCUK2J_RXcMyIYf_sjnAwoa?dl=0
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Friday 1. September
Täna oli kooliaasta algus
(Pealinn)
“Tallinnas on 2023/24. õppeaastal 58 munitsipaalüldhariduskooli, kus asub õppima ligikaudu 48,700 õpilast. Esimesse klassi astub üle 3,860 lapse. Kuni 19-aastastele õppuritele pakub linn õppeaasta alguse toetust.”
https://pealinn.ee/2023/08/28/tallinna-munitsipaalkoolides-asub-tanavu-oppima-48-700-opilast/
“Eesti väikseimas koolis on õpilasi neli, suurimas ligi 2000.” - ERR
“Tartus alustab täna kooliaastat ligi 80 õpilast rohkem kui eelmisel aastal.” - Lõunaeestlane
“Otepää vallas alustab esmakordselt kooliteed 70 last.” - Lõunaeestlane
Rents have risen more in Estonia than in any other EU27 country
(Financial Times)
“… after almost two decades of a prospering start-up sector, locals and expats who have flocked to Tallinn say a reasonably priced home to rent is as hard to find as the mythical creature. Rents in the tiny Baltic nation have more than trebled since 2010, in the EU’s biggest price rise over that period, according to Eurostat.”
https://www.ft.com/content/83d8968e-a0f4-460f-823e-82f98ebe8453
Significant fall in Russian money coming into Baltic states
(ERR)
“… travel restrictions associated with both the Covid pandemic and the start of the full-scale invasion by Russia of Ukraine have significantly reduced the inflow of cash, including of the ill-gotten variety …”
https://news.err.ee/1609085609/daily-significant-fall-in-russian-money-coming-into-baltic-states
Finland Counted Its Bomb Shelters And Found 50,500 Of Them
(Reuters)
"The wary Nordic country made the construction of emergency shelters mandatory under apartment blocks and office buildings as early as in the 1950s, which explains their current high number. The government's census concluded that the Nordic nation of 5.5 million people has some 50,500 bomb shelters that can fit 4.8 million inhabitants in them in case of an emergency or an attack …”
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-counted-its-bomb-shelters-found-50500-them-2023-08-29/#
“Russian instability poses threat to Finland.” - Yle - 28. Aug.
EDF Intel chief: Ukraine has put Russian troops under pressure in south
(ERR)
“Col. Margo Grosberg, commander of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) Intelligence Center, said that Russia's difficulties can also be seen by the fact that they have been forced to bring in units from elsewhere. The colonel pointed to the example of units from the Pskov Airborne Division, which were brought out from near Bakhmut … "This action demonstrates quite a high-level of risk-taking by Russia, which shows that its reserves are limited, there's not much left.”
Thursday 31. August
Teadmine Venemaa-äri seostest ei takistanud Kaja Kallasel abikaasale hiigellaenu andmast
Ülle Harju, Postimees
“Peaminister Kaja Kallas (RE) sai poolteist aastat tagasi ülevaate Metaprindi ja Krimelte tegevusest, mh Venemaal äri ajamisest, kuid see ei takistanud Kallast ettevõtetega seotud abikaasale Arvo Hallikule äri arendamiseks 370,000 eurot laenamast.”
Kaja Kallas: Estonia's moral standards are so much higher
(ERR Interview)
“I cannot be held responsible for the actions of this company. I don't know about how things are with your family, but my husband doesn't listen to me in any case, that is very clear to all now. But all joking aside, we have actually discussed it. …”
https://news.err.ee/1609082711/kaja-kallas-estonia-s-moral-standards-are-so-much-higher
“Opinion: Why Kaja Kallas won't resign.” - ERR
Doing business with Russia calls Estonia’s credibility into question
By Silver Tambur, Estonian World
“The business activities of prime minister Kaja Kallas’ family member vis-a-vis Russia have raised many questions in the media and in society and have put the spotlight on the head of the government and the values that Estonia must follow,” President Karis said.”
Kallas faces more heat amid probe of husband’s Russia business ties
(Politico Europe)
“Estonian President Alar Karis said Monday that the scandal diminished Estonia's credibility in its interaction with allies. "The business activities of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ family member vis-a-vis Russia have raised many questions in the media and in society and have put the spotlight on the head of the government and the values that Estonia must follow,” Karis added, warning of a credibility crisis.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/kaja-kallas-husband-russian-business-ties-estonia/
“Kallas refused to appear at a session of a joint select committee of the country’s Riigikogu.” - TVP
Putin has Far More Reason than His Predecessors to Want Russians to Forget Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
Window on Eurasia
“Putin initially denied its existence and then argued it was a forced measure who had no other option given Western betrayal at Munich. Throughout, the Kremlin leader insisted that what had happened was an ordinary act of diplomacy which had no relation at all to the start of World War II. According to the editors of RusMonitor, Putin wanted Russians to forget about the pact primarily because its existence undercut his “cult of ‘the great victory” in the war.”
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2023/08/putin-has-far-more-reason-than-his.html
Investigating the Nord Stream Attack
(Spiegel)
“A year ago, a secret commando blew up the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Since then, investigators have been searching for the perpetrators. The leads they have found are extremely politically sensitive.”
Wednesday 30. August
Eesti isetekkeline ankruala võib kujutada keskkonnaohtu
(Novaator)
“Loksa lähedal on Eesti majandusvetesse tekkinud Venemaale suunduvate tankerite ja kaubalaevade ankruala, kus iga päev seisab kümneid aluseid. Ekspertide hinnangul tekitab nii suur laevade kogunemine keskkonnareostuse ohu. Kliimaministeeriumi meremajandusosakonna juhataja Jaak Viilipuse sõnul on ankurdamine tekkinud seetõttu, et Venemaa Soome lahe idaosa sadamad ei suuda kõiki laevu vastu võtta, mistõttu ootavad nad esimeses ohutus kohas oma sadamasse sisenemise järjekorda. "Soome lahe idaosa on üsna madal, mistõttu lähimad suuremad vabad alad ongi Loksast põhjas asuvad merealad.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609079852/eesti-isetekkeline-ankruala-voib-kujutada-keskkonnaohtu
"Vaata, et kuuli ei saa": Eesti ajakirjanikud kogevad eri liiki ähvardusi
(ERR)
“Pealkirjas on väljavõte kirjast, mille sai üks Eesti uuriv ajakirjanik pärast konfliktse teema kajastamist. Hiljutine uurimistöö vaataski lähemalt, milliste rünnakutega peavad ajakirjanikud rinda pistma. Uuringu autor loodab, et sõnad jäävad vaid sõnadeks, ent kunagi ei tea.”
Mapping Estonia's Arctic Vision: Call for an Influential European Union in Securing the Arctic
By Erika Varik - The Arctic Institute
“As the European Union shapes its Arctic policy, Estonia’s message is clear: It is time for the EU to step up its engagement in the Arctic for greater security for its Member States (MS). It means the EU needs to be more involved in protecting the environment and energy security and facilitating MS cooperation on enhanced defense surveillance in the context of the Arctic.”
—
“Estonia, the northernmost non-Arctic EU MS, is very observant of any changes in its Arctic neighboring countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The Arctic became an agenda item for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) between 2013-14. Before that period, the Arctic was primarily an area studied by the Estonian scientific community. …”
“Ripples From Putin’s Invasion Reach the Arctic.” - CEPA
Estonia subject to bigger wave of cyberattacks over past week
(ERR)
"… with the number of DDoS attack reports to the Information System Authority (RIA) reaching as high as 114 over the past 24 hours.”
https://news.err.ee/1609079867/estonia-subject-to-bigger-wave-of-cyberattacks-over-past-week
Estonia’s first 400 kW EV car chargers are arriving
(Petrol Plaza)
“Domestic energy company Alexela is speeding up the development of Estonia’s charging infrastructure by installing 400 kW electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The first charger of this kind is set to be installed this month at the Täkupoiss service station in Sauga. This charger can power two cars at the same time and the company aims to install it across its service stations in Jüri, Harju County, and on Peterburi Road in Tallinn by the end of the year. “
https://www.petrolplaza.com/news/33533
Profile: Võrumaa Vocalist and Songwriter Mari Kalkun
(World Music Central)
“I was 15 or 16 when I played my first show at Viljandi Folk Music Festival. It was a large crowd of 1000 people and I got my first adrenalin ‘wow’ of being on stage, communicating with people and feeling what the magic of music is.”
https://worldmusiccentral.org/2023/08/26/estonian-vocalist-and-songwriter-mari-kalkun/
Poland, Baltics Warn Of Further Border Closures Over Wagner Fears
(RFERL - 28. Aug.)
“Speaking at a meeting of interior ministers in Warsaw on August 28, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said the group of nations bordering Belarus, including EU members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, were demanding the immediate removal of Wagner troops from Belarus and the repatriation of illegal migrants in the area, to lessen the chance of a "critical incident."
https://www.rferl.org/a/poland-lithuania-estonia-latvia-wagner-belarus-border/32568037.html
“Migratsioonilahing Baltikumi ja Poola piiridel septembris pole sugugi võimatu.” - Postimees
- Russia’s Forever War -
Venemaa hiiglaslikul territooriumil jagub sihtmärke igale maitsele
Teet Kalmus, Estonian World Review
“Paari viimase päeva jooksul on rinnetel kõige olulisemad sündmused toimunud lõunarindel Robotinost ida pool, kus Ukraina üksused on edenenud nii lõuna suunas kui ka kagu suunas, olles jõudnud Verbove asula piirini. Need on väga märgilised saavutused, sest Ukraina armee on suutnud ületada vähemalt ühe Surovikini kaitseliini. Nagu oligi arvata, need nn draakonihambad sellisel kujul Ukraina edenemist ei peatanud.”
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death marks Russian shift in strategy
(Christian Science Monitor)
“The main likelihood is that [Mr. Prigozhin’s assassination] was an operation of Russian siloviki [security forces],” former Kremlin speechwriter-turned-critic Abbas Gallyamov said in a YouTube debate, accessible in Russia, on Thursday. “It is important for Putin to show all potential conspirators, who might follow in Prigozhin’s footsteps, that it will not pass unnoticed.”
“Why the Wagner Group Cannot Be Easily Absorbed by the Russian Military—and What That Means for the West.” - Russia Matters
“Yevgeny Prigozhin spoke of threats to his life days before death.” - Guardian
“How Russia’s media reacted to the Prigozhin plane crash.” - The Spectator
“Russians Who Have Died After Running Afoul Of The Kremlin.” - RFERL
“'The Kremlin Has Broken All Records Of Nastiness': Prigozhin Buried In A Cloud Of Uncertainty.” - RFERL
“Prigozhin's right-hand man in Wagner buried quietly near Moscow.” - Reuters
Russian Offensive Campaign
Assessment: 30./31. August
(ISW)
“Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed four Russian Il-76 planes during a drone strike on a Russian airfield in Pskov Oblast”
—
“Russian milbloggers claimed that over 21 Ukrainian drones struck the Pskov airfield. …”
—
“A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that the Ukrainian strike on the Peskov airfield indicates that Russian air defenses have not adapted to defend against repeated Ukrainian drone strikes, in contrast with how Russian air defenses in Crimea have adapted.”
—
“Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s domestic production of long-range missiles on August 31, likely as part of a coordinated Ukrainian campaign promoting increased Ukrainian strike capabilities against Russian deep rear areas.”
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-30-2023
—
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-31-2023
“Russia fortifies defenses around Crimea bridge.” - Politico
“Ukraine: Drone attacks a 'huge change' in warfare.” - Deutsche Welle
“Ukraine has developed long-range weapon, Zelensky says.” - The Hill
“Ukraina droonide lend ei rauge. Venemaad kimbutab relvade puudus.” - Postimees
“The Ukraine war, propaganda-style, is coming to Russian movie screens. Will people watch?” - AP
The ruble is failing — more Russians are cutting back on buying basic goods
(Washington Post | Insider)
“Rapidly rising prices caused by a 20 % drop in the value of the ruble between early June and mid-August and the government’s pouring of funds into Russia’s defense industry are bringing Russia’s war — and the impact of sanctions — home to many Russians for the first time, economists say.”
--
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ruble-failing-consumers-cutting-back-on-basic-goods-2023-8
'We're All On The Front’: Inside The Russian Military Town of Soltsy, Struck By A Drone
(RFERL)
“On August 19, the airfield at Soltsy, some 190 kilometers south of St. Petersburg, was attacked by what Russian authorities say was a drone. Images showed one of Russia's supersonic Tu-22M bombers engulfed in flames after the attack, a significant loss for Russia inflicted deep inside its own territory. When a correspondent from RFE/RL's North.Realities visited shortly after the attack, some inhabitants of Soltsy said they considered the area a legitimate target of the Ukrainian military, others said they feared the Russian authorities more than attack drones.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drone-attack-soltsy-invasion-ukraine-war/32569556.html
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