Külm sõda Narva jõel   

Hent Kalmo, Sirp

“Väidet, et Narva jõel kulgeb tsivilisatsioonide piir, on kuulda liigagi sageli. Ajaloolased on selle väite kummutamiseks meenutanud, et üle jõe on käinud vilgas liiklus ning Narva ja Ivangorod on mitmel puhul moodustanud ühe linnagi. 1950. aastatest alates on kaht kallast ühendanud Sõpruse sild. Ometi ei saa maha salata ka sajandeid kestnud umbusku. Juba keskajal nentisid Narva raehärrad, et suure idanaabri kõrval istutakse „nagu hiir karu vastas“. Kui 1492. aastal asuti ehitama Ivangorodi kindlust, jälgiti ka seda läänekaldal huvi ja murega. Käidi vaatamas, kuidas ehitustööd edenevad ja sepitseti plaane ennetavaks rünnakuks. 1920. aastal Tartu rahuga tõmmatud Eesti-Vene piir kulges kaugemal ida pool, kuid sümboolseid vastuseise see ära ei hoidnud.”

https://sirp.ee/s1-artiklid/c9-sotsiaalia/kulm-soda-narva-joel/

Cold War on the River Narva

By Hent Kalmo, ERR

“The idea that the River Narva constitutes a border between civilizations can perhaps be heard too often. Historians, in an attempt to refute the claim, have recalled how the river crossing has always seen busy trade, and that Narva and Ivangorod have been a single city on many occasions in history. The two shores have been linked by the Friendship Bridge (Sõpruse sild) since the 1950s.

Yet, we also cannot ignore centuries of mutual mistrust. Narva aldermen found back in 1492 that they're sitting like "a mouse facing a bear" next to their imposing eastern neighbor. When work to construct the Ivangorod Fortress began in 1492, it was viewed with great interest and no small concern from the opposing bank. An eye was kept on the other side's progress and a preemptive strike mulled.”

https://news.err.ee/1608991100/hent-kalmo-cold-war-on-the-river-narva

Estonian government may start changing street names in Sillamae and Narva

(Postimees)

“As the northeastern cities of Sillamae and Narva have shown unwillingness to follow the government's proposal to change the remaining street names associated with the Soviet regime, the state may start changing them itself.”

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“Under the Place Names Act, the name of a person must not be used as a commemorative name if that person has acted against the foundation of the Republic of Estonia, the permanence of its constitutional order or the restoration of the independence of Estonia.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7787976/govt-may-start-changing-street-names-in-sillamae-narva-itself

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Cover Photo 

[Location not specified]

https://www.erkoaasma.ee/albums/bogs-marshes/content/15-minutes-to-sunrise/

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Friday 2. June

Noorte laulu- ja tantsupeole on tulemas ligi 25,000 esinejat 

(Postimees)

“... kuhu kuulub üle 22,600 koorilaulja ja pea 2,300 sümfoonia- ja puhkpilliorkestri muusikut. Tantsupeol osaleb laulu- ja tantsupeo sihtasutuse juhataja Margus Toomla sõnul 559 kollektiivi, kuhu kuulub 8,342 tantsijat ja võimlejat, ning rahvamuusika peol osaleb 83 kollektiivi, kus mängib üle 800 pillimängija.”

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[The XIII Youth Song and Dance Festival “Püha on maa” will take place from June 30 to July 2 in Tallinn. Nearly 25,000 performers are coming to the youth song and dance party, which includes more than 22,600 choir singers and almost 2,300 musicians.]

https://laulupidu.postimees.ee/7787849/noorte-laulu-ja-tantsupeol-osaleb-ule-25-000-esineja

Maikuu oli üks Eesti ajaloo kuivemaid

(Novaator)

“Keskkonnaagentuuri andmetel oli tänavune mai üks Eesti ajaloo kuivemaid, olles veel põuasem vaid 1971. aastal.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1608995282/maikuu-oli-uks-eesti-ajaloo-kuivemaid

Venemaa mängib infosõjas vastasseisule NATOga

Külli Kapper, Postimees

“Kremli pressiesindaja Dmit­ri Peskov ütles ajakirjanikele, et oleks soovinud kuulda vähemalt mõne lääne pealinna seisukohavõttu, kus mõistetakse droonirünnak Venemaa pealinnale hukka. «Me mõtleme rahulikult ja kaalutletult, kuidas sellega toime tulla,» ütles Peskov.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7787332/ulevaade-venemaa-mangib-infosojas-vastasseisule-natoga

“Millal algab Ukraina kauaoodatud pealetung? Grosberg ei tea.” - Õhtuleht

“Kremlis valitseb peataolek, Venemaa võib välja kuulutada sõjaseisukorra.” - Postimees

“Ukrainlased tänavad maantee äärde pandud eestikeelse plakatiga Eestit.” - Postimees

“Venemaa punased jooned Ukraina puhul on siiani osutunud tühiseks.” - ERR

“Blinkeni sõnul on Venemaa sõjas täielikult läbi kukkunud.” - ERR

“US Secretary of State Antony Blinken brands Russia's invasion of Ukraine a ‘failure’.” - Euronews

Defense to be taught in 40 Estonian schools for first time this fall

(ERR)

“Aare Jamnes, head of the Defense Resources Agency's Voluntary Contribution Department, said that up to now, national defense education has been either compulsory or optional in nearly 135 of the Estonia's upper secondary schools. The changes to the curriculum will see it taught at a further 40.”

https://news.err.ee/1608994406/defense-to-be-taught-in-40-estonian-schools-for-first-time-this-fall

Zelensky met with Karis in Kyiv

(Ukrinform)

“President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of Estonia Alar Karis discussed the possibilities of creating joint defense enterprises and involving Estonian experts in the demining of Ukrainian territory.”

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3717481-zelensky-meets-with-president-of-estonia-in-kyiv.html

How Europe Won the Gas War With Russia

By David Frum, The Atlantic

“The most significant defeat in Russia’s war on Ukraine was suffered not on a battlefield but in the marketplace. The Russian aggressors had expected to use natural gas as a weapon to bend Western Europe to their will. The weapon failed. Why? And will the failure continue?”

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/06/russia-ukraine-natural-gas-europe/674268/

Sweden presses Turkey again on NATO bid, after Erdoğan was re-elected 

(Politico Europe | CNN)

“Sweden has met all of its commitments to join NATO and expects to become part of the transatlantic military alliance by July, Tobias Billström, the country’s foreign minister, told POLITICO.… it has delivered on Ankara’s demands.”

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“But NATO officials and people within the Swedish government are now becoming concerned that missing the July 11 deadline – the date of its next official summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius – would send a dangerous message to the alliance’s adversaries. These include Russia, and although nowhere near the North Atlantic, North Korea and China. “If it’s missed, it tells people like Putin that there is a weak link in the Western alliance. It gives them time and space to cause trouble,” one NATO diplomat told CNN.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/erdogan-back-sweden-presses-turkey-on-nato-bid/

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https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/01/europe/nato-turkey-sweden-membership-intl-cmd/index.html

“Erdoğan flexes diplomatic muscles over Sweden.” - Financial Times

“Sweden draws closer to NATO membership.”  USA Today

“EDF chief: A thousand fallen Russian troops per day is too few.” - ERR

“NATO working to ensure 'Putin does not do this again’.” - Deutsche Welle

“Moscow does not have a ‘veto against NATO enlargement’.” - CNBC

“Kaja Kallas: I'm unlikely to be NATO leader because I'm from the eastern flank.” - ERR

“Macron says Putin has jolted NATO awake.” - France 24

“NATO aspirant country Georgia blames NATO for Russia’s war on Ukraine.” - Politico

“NATO launches Arctic maneuvers, vows to protect newest member Finland.” - Reuters

“Trial fence on Finland-Russia border nearing completion.” - Yle

“Record Number of Russians Moved to Finland in 2022.” - Moscow Times

Thursday 1. June

Unequal Estonia: Regional socio-economic disparities in Estonia

By Stefan Fina, Bastian Heider, Märt Masso

(FEPS, Nov. 2021)

“In recent years Estonia has been among the fastest growing economies of the EU and has successfully established itself on the global mind map as a land of oppor- tunity for digital transformation. However, a closer look reveals an uneven picture of the Estonian growth story. Similar to other European countries, economic, digital and ecological transitions have amplified structural change. The capability to adapt to these changes in society and economy is unequally spread, with some regions benefiting from change and others falling behind. The Estonian regional disparity report identifies current spatial variations of strengths and weaknesses in light of future risks and challenges for the country and calls for new national and European policies to address the issue.”

https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/baltikum/18551.pdf

Estonia one of the most unequal countries in the eurozone

By Silver Tambur, Estonian World

“Five per cent of Estonian households hold a whopping 48 % – almost a half – of the country’s wealth, while 95 % hold the rest between them. Estonia’s central bank said that “an important reason for high level of wealth inequality is that the share of business assets in total assets is large in Estonia. This share is more than twice the euro area average and business assets are the least equally distributed assets. The survey also found that the level of inequality remained more or less the same in the period between 2013 and 2021.”

https://estonianworld.com/business/estonia-one-of-the-most-unequal-countries-in-the-eurozone/

“The median value of Estonians’ net assets grew from €43,500 in 2013 to €66,200 in 2021 or by more than 50 %.” - ERR

Venemaal toimuv peaks ka meid muretsema panema

Edgar Kaskla, Postimees

“Relvade õudus puudutab meid kõiki ja peab tegema kõikvõimaliku, et nende kasutamist ära hoida. Aga meie, sh Eesti, Läti, Leedu, pole otseselt sõjaobjektid. Ukraina seda aga on.”

https://arvamus.postimees.ee/7785417/edgar-kaskla-venemaal-toimuv-peaks-ka-meid-muretsema-panema

Droonid Moskva kohal ennustavad muutust, aga kellele?

Erkki Koort, Postimees

“Otsesed ründeoperatsioonid on vähenenud ning tulemust püütakse saavutada kaugelt. Üks viimaste nädalate oluline muutus on olnud aga sõja järjest suurem kandumine Venemaa pinnale. Tegelikult on küll siinkohal paslik öelda, et Venemaa pinnale on kandunud «spetsiaalne sõjaline erioperatsioon». Aga seekord on selle planeerinud ja viinud ellu ukrainlased. Loodan, et ka Eestil on kusagil maa-aluses laos valmis parvede kaupa droone, mida vajadusel kasutada.”

https://arvamus.postimees.ee/7787191/erkki-koort-droonid-moskva-kohal-ennustavad-muutust-aga-kellele

Michelin Guide 2023: 

Restaurants in Estonia

By Silver Tambur, Estonian World

“The French-founded Michelin Guide, the world’s most prestigious culinary guide, expanded to Estonia in 2022. Last year, the guide featured 31 establishments, including two single-starred restaurants – the Tallinn-based Noa Chef’s Hall and 180 Degrees – this year’s edition has highlighted 34 eateries. Noa Chef’s Hall, run by Tõnis Siigur, retains its one-star status, and 180 Degrees, run by Matthias Diether, is awarded two stars – Estonia’s first.”

https://estonianworld.com/business/the-michelin-guides-restaurants-in-estonia/

Estonian government ends long-standing agreement with Lutheran Church

(ERR)

“Head of the Lutheran Church in Estonia, Archbishop Urmas Viilma has called a government decision to terminate a cooperation agreement between the church and the state ‘strange'. The agreement, dating back more than 30 years, while it stopped far short of establishing a state church in Estonia, did grant preferential status to the Lutheran Church not extended to other churches in Estonia.”

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“The Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the EELK, is the largest single church in Estonia by attendants and adherents and plays a key role in Estonian culture and history, though does not hold the stated loyalty of the majority of the populace. Estonia does not have a state church, unlike many European nations.”

https://news.err.ee/1608990614/estonian-government-ends-long-standing-agreement-with-lutheran-church

“Estonia Seminary Unites War-Weary Russians and Ukrainians.” - Christianity Today

“St. Peter’s Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Toronto: Background of its current situation.” - Estonian World Review

BALTOPS 2023

(US Navy)

“The 52nd iteration of Baltic Operations 2023, NATO’s premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, is set to begin from Tallinn, Estonia, June 4-16. Nineteen NATO nations, one NATO partner nations, 50 ships, more than 45 aircraft, and 6,000 personnel will participate in BALTOPS 23.”

https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/News-Display/Article/3409686/us-sixth-fleet-naval-striking-and-support-forces-nato-to-kick-off-baltops-2023/

“Warships arrive in Tallinn for NATO's Baltops naval exercise.” - ERR

- Putin’s Forever War -

The Nuclear Sequence of the Belgorod Raid

By Pavel Luzin, Jamestown Org.

“The hit-and-run raid by anti-Putin Russian operatives—Kyiv officially claims that the raid was conducted by combatant units made up of Russian citizens, while Moscow claims it was the work of Ukrainian-supported “terrorists”—in the Belgorod region took place only several kilometers away from one of 12 Russian central storage facilities for nuclear weapons—military unit No. 25624, also known as Belgorod-22 (RBK, May 22; Kommersant, May 23; RBC, May 23).”

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“Despite the fact that the raid did not pose a direct threat to the storage facility itself, it does raise the question of how the international community will deal with Russia’s nuclear arsenal in the case of further military aggression in the coming years or violent domestic turbulence within the Russian Federation itself.”

https://jamestown.org/program/the-nuclear-sequence-of-the-belgorod-raid/

Russian Offensive Campaign 

Assessment: 30. May & 1. June

(ISW)

“Russia claimed that Ukraine conducted a series of drone strikes against Moscow on May 30 as Russia again targeted Ukraine with Iranian-made Shahed drones.”

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“Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to downplay the drone attack on Moscow to avoid exposing the limited options to retaliate against Ukraine.”

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“The Russian Ministry of Defense is likely attempting to conceal the high Russian losses in Ukraine by artificially inflating Ukrainian casualties in the war.”

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“Elements of the all-Russian pro-Ukrainian Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) and Freedom of Russia Legion (LSR) reportedly conducted another raid into Belgorod Oblast on June 1.”

—

“Russian officials and milbloggers’ responses to the limited raid in Belgorod Oblast are indicative of a continued heightened anxiety within the Russian information space regarding the war in Ukraine.”

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“Prigozhin responded to the attacks claiming that he will continue to voice his opinions until the Russian MoD officials are punished for their mistakes in planning the invasion of Ukraine.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-30-2023

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https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-1-2023

“Ukraina õhutõrje hävitas Kiievi kohal 30 sihtmärki.” - ERR

“Russia's Wagner Group chief : War efforts continue to be 'led by clowns who turn people into meat’.” - Insider

“Russia’s Tank Losses in Ukraine Surpass 2,000.” - Moscow Times

“What is known about the latest raid into Russia’s Belgorod region by pro-Ukrainian militias.” - Meduza

“A Quick Ukrainian Defeat Of Russia Lessens Chances Of 'Black Swan Event’.” - RFERL

“Russia creating a flying ‘private army’ within their Air Force.” - Postimees

“Ukraine’s air defence capabilities are growing and Russian missile attacks are becoming less effective.” - Novaya Gazeta

Letter from Moscow: When war suddenly explodes over your roof

(Christian Science Monitor | Moscow Times)

“In Moscow, it can be easy to ignore the devastating but faraway war in Ukraine. But that changes quickly when drones and anti-aircraft missiles start exploding in the skies overhead one morning.”

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2023/0530/Letter-from-Moscow-When-war-suddenly-explodes-over-your-roof

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https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/05/31/russia-lays-mines-at-industrial-level-ahead-of-ukrainian-counteroffensive-a81345

How Ukraine and Russia are trying to use drones to their advantage

(Meduza video)

“The Russian-Ukrainian war has been called a "drone war," but there have been several smaller drone wars within the larger one.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ16NBXxQBc

“Russian schools purchase drones for training schoolkids.” - Meduza

“How Moscow drone attack helps ‘shatter the myth’ of Putin’s war.” - The Hill

Moscow drone attack

(Politico Europe | Meduza)

“Although not entirely unexpected — Russian regions bordering Ukraine such as Belgorod suffer almost daily strikes, and an incident in early May in which two drones flew onto the Kremlin compound set the stage for further incursions — the drone raid marks a landmark moment as the biggest strike against Moscow since the beginning of the war.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/moscow-drone-attack-it-was-like-a-horror-film-putin-russia-ukraine-war-strike-explosion-kyiv/

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https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/05/30/drone-attack-in-moscow-and-the-moscow-region

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https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/05/30/minor-damage

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