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06 October, 2023

 


Rail Baltic haukab tüki linnaäärset metsa

(Postimees)

“Üsna Tallinna piiri ääres, Viljandi maantee ja Kangru tee ristmiku ümbruses käib suuremahuline metsaraadamine. Järgmisel aastal algab seal Rail Balticu Kangru liiklussõlme ehitus.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7870580/galerii-rail-baltic-haukab-tuki-linnaaarset-metsa

https://www.postimees.ee/7870580/galerii-rail-baltic-haukab-tuki-linnaaarset-metsa?gallery=335194&image=15638592





Eesti vabatahtlike konvoid Ukrainas tabas raketilöök

(Postimees)

“Täna tabas Eesti vabatahtlike ühiskonvoid Ukrainas Vene raketilöök, milles hävis tehnika, kuid vabatahtlikud õnneks kannatada ei saanud.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7870656/fotod-eesti-vabatahtlike-konvoid-ukrainas-tabas-raketilook





Estonian aid convoy hit by Russian missile in Ukraine - minor injuries

(ERR)

“Volunteers from Estonian aid organizations suffered minor injuries after a Russian missile landed close to their convoy in eastern Ukraine. The group was delivering aid in Ukraine and was organized by NGOs "Vaba Ukraina" (Free Ukraine) and "Ukraina Abi" (Ukraine Aid).”

https://news.err.ee/1609124981/estonian-aid-convoy-hit-by-russian-missile-in-ukraine





Estonian member of Ukraine's International Legion killed in Russian drone attack

(Postimees)

“Tanel Kriggul, whose nom de guerre is Stinger and who has been fighting as a member of the International Legion of Ukraine since last year, was killed near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region. The small private house where Kriggul was staying with a fellow soldier was hit by a Russian army drone on the night between Friday and Saturday. The blast was so strong that only a pile of rubble remained of the house.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7866796/estonian-member-of-ukraine-s-international-legion-killed-in-russian-drone-attack





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Cover Photo:

https://www.postimees.ee/7870580/galerii-rail-baltic-haukab-tuki-linnaaarset-metsa?gallery=335194&image=15638592


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 6. October



Help Save Historic Consulates General of Estonia in New York and San Francisco

by Ilmar Vanderer 

(Estonian American National Council)

“The Estonian government's recent decision to close the Estonian Consulates General in New York and San Francisco is reverberating throughout Estonian-American communities. This unexpected, far-reaching action will have many repercussions and lasting consequences. We, the concerned citizens, friends, and supporters of Estonia, urge Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government to reconsider their decision to close these Consulates …”

"Please sign the petition."

https://chng.it/QW5SvYZXJQ





Estonians in the US are shocked over New York City and San Francisco consulate closures

(Estonian World)

“Many Estonian Americans have contacted the Estonian American National Council to voice their dismay and feelings that the support given by Estonian Americans to Estonia, not only during re-independence years, but the long 50-year period of occupation to ensure the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia, is no longer valued by the Estonian government.”

https://estonianworld.com/life/estonians-in-the-us-shocked-over-consulate-closure/



“Opinion: Estonia should open rather than close consulates in the US.”


“Estonian organizations call for New York Consulate to stay open.” - ERR





Aukonsul Los Angelesest: saatkond ei pruugi Eestile tingimata rohkem tulu tuua kui konsulaat

Jaak Treiman, Eesti Ekspress

“New Yorgi ja San Francisco peakonsulaatide avatuna hoidmine on Eesti huvides.”

https://ekspress.delfi.ee/artikkel/120236429/aukonsul-los-angelesest-saatkond-ei-pruugi-eestile-tingimata-rohkem-tulu-tuua-kui-konsulaat



“Eesti sulgeb New Yorgi peakonsulaadi, mida NSV Liit ei suutnud.” - Postimees





Zelenskõi: lastes Venemaal end koguda, võivad ohvriks saada Baltimaad

(Postimees)

“Ukraina luurel on andmeid, et Venemaa kaalub Ukraina sõja külmutamise stsenaariume, mis võimaldaks tal taastada oma hävitatud sõjalise potentsiaali 2028. aastaks ja alustada sõda ka Baltimaade vastu, ütles Ukraina president Volodõmõr Zelenskõi täna.”

https://maailm.postimees.ee/7869832/zelenskoi-lastes-venemaal-end-koguda-voivad-ohvriks-saada-baltimaad





If Russia is allowed to adapt, Baltic countries could become next victims by 2028, claims Ukrainian intel

(Baltic Times)

“Ukraine's intelligence has information that Russia is considering options to freeze the war in Ukraine, which would allow it to restore its destroyed military potential by 2028 and start a new war against other countries such as the Baltics, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the inaugural session of the 3rd European Political Community Summit in Granada on Thursday.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/if_russia_is_allowed_to_adapt__baltic_countries_could_become_next_victims_-_zelenskyy/



“Zelenskyy meets with Estonian Defence Minister.” - Yahoo News


“€693 million joint Estonian, Latvian military vehicles tender signed.” - ERR


“Top NATO general: All of society must pitch in to secure eastern flank.” - ERR


“NATO Quietly Fortifying Eastern Border With F-16s, Air Defenses.” - Newsweek


“US Army and NATO Demonstrate HIMARS in Estonia.” - Defense Post


“Estonian FM opens Ukrainian bridge rebuilt with Estonia's support.” - Ukrinform





Finnish public calls for enhanced cooperation with Nordic and Baltic nations in foreign policy

(Helsinki Times)

“A recent survey conducted by the Confederation of Finnish Industries has unveiled significant shifts in Finnish attitudes towards foreign policy. According to the survey, 64 % of Finns believe that Finland should prioritize cooperation with Nordic countries more prominently in its foreign policy decisions. And 53 % expressed a desire for increased collaboration with Baltic nations.”

“The survey, titled the EVA Values and Attitudes Study, indicates a noteworthy rise of 14 percentage points in the willingness to cooperate with Baltic countries since the 2016 measurement.”

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/24258-finnish-public-calls-for-enhanced-cooperation-with-nordic-and-baltic-nations-in-foreign-policy.html



“Finland: When Russia Is a Neighbor, Self-Defense Is Everyone’s Concern.” - New York Times





War fatigue talk is part of Putin's bluff

(Baltic Times)

“In his speech at the Warsaw Security Forum, Estonia's Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur stressed the importance of maintaining unity in support for Ukraine and increasing Europe's defense capabilities, and described the talk about the West's war fatigue as a bluff of Russian leader Vladimir Putin."

--

"We need to maintain unity. As long as we can do that, we will outlast Putin and support Ukraine until the war is won. Talk of the West's war fatigue is part of Russia's influence activities and Putin's bluff -- our message is clear: we are not tired, our unity and support will not falter, we will support Ukraine to the victorious end of the war," the Estonian minister said.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonian_minister__talk_of_west_s_war_fatigue_is_part_of_putin_s_bluff/



“Former Dutch intelligence officer claim: There are signs that Russia is preparing for war with West.” - LRT





Weakness is lethal: why Putin invaded Ukraine and how the war must end

(Institute for the Study of War)

“Putin’s decisions to invade Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 had a core similarity: in both cases, Putin seized what he thought was an opportunity to realize a long-term goal because he perceived Ukraine and the West to be weak.”

An enduring end to the current Russian war on Ukraine requires forcing Putin to accept defeat. He—and his successors—must be made to realize that they cannot impose their will on Ukraine and the West militarily, cannot suborn Ukraine politically, and cannot prevail diplomatically.”

“Ukraine and the West should seek a permanent end to this conflict, not a temporary respite. Renewed war will likely be larger in scale and even more dangerous to Ukraine and the West.  It will be extremely costly as well since a renewed war once Moscow has rearmed and prepared will likely be far costlier and more dangerous.”

“There is no path to real peace other than helping Ukraine inflict an unequivocal military defeat on Russia and then helping to rebuild Ukraine into a military and society so strong and resilient that no future Russian leader sees an opportunity like the ones Putin misperceived in 2014 and 2022. … This war can only end not when Putin feels that he can save face, but rather when he knows that he cannot win.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-invaded-ukraine-and-how-war-must-end





Touring Estonian health care

(Medical Republic)

“… with Dr Priit Tohver. The Baltic nation excels at data sharing and recognising the influence of non-health social factors on health.”

https://www.medicalrepublic.com.au/touring-estonian-health-care-with-dr-priit-tohver/99940







Thursday 5. October



Estonia maintains 2nd place in global internet freedom, following Iceland

(Baltic Times | Postimees | ERR)

“Although Estonia maintains a high position, events that attracted attention during the observed period are highlighted in the report. For instance, since the beginning of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Estonia's Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority has issued orders to telecommunications companies to block media and web channels related to the Russian state, to prevent the spread of war propaganda. Combined with implemented sanctions, a total of 51 television channels and nearly 200 websites have been banned …”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonia_maintains_2nd_place_in_global_internet_freedom/

https://news.postimees.ee/7868949/estonia-maintains-2nd-place-in-global-internet-freedom

https://news.err.ee/1609121351/report-estonia-internet-freedoms-intact-even-as-global-decline-continues





Everything you need to know about food in Estonia

(The Bradt Guides)

“Known for both its simplicity and satisfying variety, Estonia’s traditional cuisine includes a mix of centuries-old recipes and cooking rituals.”

https://www.bradtguides.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-food-in-estonia/





Estonia's next satellite, largely built by students, will fly aboard ‘Vega VV23’

(European Space Agency | Phys. Org.)

“… later this week. While largely designed and built by undergraduate students, the shoebox-sized ESTCube-2 has ambitious goals in mind, including surveys of Estonian vegetation and the first successful in-orbit demonstration of "plasma brake" technology. … If successful, ESTCube-2's plasma braking would mark the first use of electric sail, or E-sail, technology …”

https://phys.org/news/2023-10-estonia-satellite-largely-built-undergrad.html



“The ESTCube-2 is set to launch this weekend.” - Popular Science





Should the West Threaten the Putin Regime Over Ukraine?

By David Remnick, The New Yorker

“Unfortunately, Ukraine is battling. They’re fighting and dying. The courage and the ingenuity are still there. But they’re running out of eighteen-to-thirty-year-olds. The average age of the Ukrainian soldiers training in Europe at the bases in Germany or the U.K. is thirty-five and older. They’re running out of munitions. They’re running out of anti-aircraft missiles. So I’m worried. I’m very worried, because of the huge casualties and the sheer size of Russia’s population compared with Ukraine’s.” - Historian Stephen Kotkin

https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/should-the-west-threaten-the-putin-regime-over-ukraine







Wednesday 4. October



Eesti esimene robotlaev hakkab Läänemere kalavarusid kaardistama

(Novaator)

“Möödunud nädalal veeskati Tallinnas Eesti esimene mehitamata robotlaev Heli, mis hakkab edaspidi Läänemere kalavarusid kaardistama ja tegema mitmesuguseid teisi mereuuringuid. Sealhulgas kasutatakse alust ka meretuuleparkide rajamisega seotud ajamahukamate mõõdistustööde tegemiseks.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1609120484/eesti-esimene-robotlaev-hakkab-laanemere-kalavarusid-kaardistama



“Riigilaevastik tahab katta Eesti mereala nutipoide seirevõrguga.”


“Estonia's first autonomous maritime research vessel launched.” - ERR





Milline on eestlaste roll droonide sõjas Ukrainas?

(Pealtnägija)

“Viimased poolteist aastat on sõjapidamist põhjalikult muutnud ja Ukrainast on saanud kõikvõimalike kaugjuhitavate ning poolautonoomsete militaardroonide katsepolügoon. Suures mängus löövad kaasa ka eestlased. Seekordne "Pealtnägija" võttiski uurida, milline on eestlaste roll ning miks mõned kardavad, et asjade arenedes võidakse avada Pandora laegas.”

https://www.err.ee/1609121852/pealtnagija-milline-on-eestlaste-roll-droonide-sojas-ukrainas





September significantly warmer and rainier than usual in Estonia

(Postimees)

“The average air temperature in Estonia in September was 15.6 degrees Celsius, higher by as much as 3.4 degrees than the long-term average. The highest air temperature was recorded at 26 degrees on Sept. 12 in the northeastern town of Kunda, and the lowest at 0.5 degrees on Sept. 18 in Kuusiku, central Estonia.”

https://news.postimees.ee/7867108/september-significantly-warmer-than-usual-in-estonia



“Läinud september oli Eestis mõõtmisajaloo kõige soojem.” - Novaator


“Estonia is Euronews’ Green Country of the Month.” - Euronews





Estonia steps up security on Latvian border

(Latvian Broadcasting | ERR | TVP)

“The Estonian Border Guard and police will conduct additional inspections on the Estonian-Latvian border as well as at ports and transport hubs due to the migration pressure coming from Belarus …”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/04.10.2023-estonia-steps-up-security-on-latvian-border.a526463/

https://news.err.ee/1609121654/ppa-strengthening-checks-at-ports-borders-and-on-international-coaches

https://tvpworld.com/73190274/estonia-strengthens-checks-at-ports-and-borders-to-tackle-illegal-migration





Finland's ChatGPT equivalent begins to think in Estonian as well

(ERR)

“The University of Turku in Finland is developing an artificial language corpus proficient in all European languages, including Estonian, to preserve minor languages in the post-ChatGPT era. The Estonian Language Institute (EKI) supports the initiative but warns that an operational language model requires digitizing substantially more Estonian texts than is currently available.”

https://news.err.ee/1609120697/finland-s-chatgpt-equivalent-begins-to-think-in-estonian-as-well





Sweden’s new normal: 

Bombs in the suburbs

(Politico Europe)

“What started as internal conflict between rival drug gangs has spun into a spiral of revenge attacks as gang members — often frustrated in their attempts to kill each other — have begun bombing the homes of each other’s families. These family members — parents, siblings, cousins — live all over Stockholm and across Sweden’s central southeast region, giving the attacks a seemingly random feel.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-new-normal-bomb-attacks-suburbs-kristersson-elections-2024/



“Opinion: Sweden used to pride itself on moderation.” - The Guardian





Ukraine Is Losing Eastern European Allies - Slovakia and Poland matter

(Politico | The Atlantic)

“Tremors from America, Poland and Slovakia undercut the message that Western allies will stick with Kyiv in its war against Russia.”

“Slovakia has been chosen [by Russia] as the country where there is fertile soil for success of the Russian pro-Kremlin, pro-war narratives.”

“Voters in Slovakia elected a pro-Russian prime minister, Robert Fico, who vows not to send a “single round” of ammunition to Ukraine, and looks set to team up with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbàn to oppose further European support for Kyiv. Poland, once the most dependable of Kyiv’s allies, made the shock announcement on September 20 that it would no longer send weapons.”

“Some (U.S.) Republican opponents of assistance to Ukraine are merely cynical manipulators who care little about national or international security. Many genuinely admire Putin and hope for Ukraine’s defeat. Others are merely ignorant. But all of them are bound together by the reflexive urge to reject whatever it is that most other Americans accept.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-puts-on-brave-face-as-west-goes-wobbly/

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/ukraine-support-congress-slovakia-poland/675530/

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/10/gop-extremists-house-ukraine-aid/675527/



“All That Drama and the U.S. House GOP’s Only Win Was for the Kremlin.” - Daily Beast


“Why Russia Is Doomed In Southern Ukraine: Logistics (And History).” - Worldcrunch


“Ukraine Would Be A Fool To Try And Negotiate With Russia Now.” - 1945


“Putin’s Big Lie: the “Donbas genocide” and “impending Ukrainian attack.” - Euromaidan


“The state of the war.” - By Timothy Snyder







- Russia’s Forever War -



OpinionIt’s time for the West to call out Putin’s nuclear bluff

(Euromaidan)

“Ukraine has repeatedly proved that Russian “red lines” are a fiction.”

https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/10/03/russias-ultimate-red-line-is-as-hollow-as-the-first-ten/





'They're just meat': Russia deploys punishment battalions in echo of Stalin

(Reuters)

“Drunk recruits. Insubordinate soldiers. Convicts. They're among hundreds of military and civilian offenders who've been pressed into Russian penal units known as "Storm-Z" squads and sent to the frontlines in Ukraine this year, according to 13 people with knowledge of the matter, including five fighters in the units. Few live to tell their tale, the people said.”

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/theyre-just-meat-russia-deploys-punishment-battalions-echo-stalin-2023-10-03/





The Source of Russian Brutality

(National Interest)

“Russia’s military operates on a Soviet, totalizing view of war that ignores distinctions between soldiers and civilians. … in its prosecution of an illegitimate war, Russia continues to practice war crimes—systematically and deliberately attacking noncombatants, including medical personnel and facilities. … there can be no question that Russia’s continual rape, torture, and murder of noncombatants is illegal and damages Russia’s reputation on the world stage.”

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/source-russian-brutality-206851





Russian Offensive Campaign 

Assessment: 5. October

“Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the 20th Valdai Discussion Club on October 5 and promoted multiple long-standing Russian information operations. Putin reiterated the false narrative that the West initiated the conflict in Ukraine in 2014 and claimed that NATO expansion threatens Russian security.”

“… future of the Wagner Group still remains unclear.”

“Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.”

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-5-2023



“How Ukraine reclaimed the Black Sea from Russian forces.” - The Guardian


“Tee Krimmi on raske. Ukraina seisab dilemma ees, kui ta sinna jõuab.” - Postimees


“Whatever Putin’s Intentions Are, He Is Hemmed In by Limited Capabilities.” - Foreign Affairs


“Russia and Ukraine are ‘knocking out’ each other’s tanks and artillery equipment at roughly the same pace.” - Meduza





Russia Withdraws Black Sea Fleet From Crimea Base After Ukrainian Attacks

(Wall Street Journal)

“Russia has withdrawn the bulk of its Black Sea Fleet from its main base in occupied Crimea, a potent acknowledgment of how Ukrainian missile and drone strikes are challenging Moscow’s hold on the peninsula. Russia has moved powerful vessels including three attack submarines and two frigates from Sevastopol to other ports in Russia and Crimea that offer better protection, according to Western officials and satellite images verified by naval experts. The Russian Defense Ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment.”

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-withdraws-black-sea-fleet-vessels-from-crimea-base-after-ukrainian-attacks-51d6d4f5



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