“Estonian Internal Security Annual Report: 2023 - 2024.”
“Kaitsepolitseiamet Aastaraamat: 2023 - 2024.”
Venemaa mõjutustegevus on muutunud füüsilisemaks ja brutaalsemaks
(ERR)
Kapo aastaraamatu esitlusel kaitsepolitsei peadirektor Margo Palloson:
“Kõige olulisem muutus kaitsepolitsei ohupildis viimase aastaga on Venemaa mõjutustegevuse muutumine füüsilisemaks, brutaalsemaks, nimetame seda ka riiklikuks vandalismiks. Venemaa on viimase aasta jooksul hoogustanud Eesti ja mitme teise Euroopa riigi vastu hübriidoperatsioone ehk püüab kasutada kõiki mittesõjalisi vahendeid relvana meie vastu. Venemaa on Eesti vastu kasutanud pidevalt vaenupropagandat, küberründeid, Eesti mälestusmärkide kallal vandaalitsenud, pommiähvarduste kampaaniad, ränderünde katseid, püüdis mõjutada parlamendivalimisi. Märgiline on, et eriteenistuste ülesandel vandaalitseti siseministri (Lauri Läänemetsa) auto kallal.”
“Venemaa ründelennukid on hakanud julgemalt tegutsema.” - Teet Kalmus, Estonian World Review
Actions of Russian intelligence services have become more intense
(Postimees | ERR)
“The activities of Russian intelligence and security services have become significantly more aggressive than in the past. In some aspects, they operate more robustly, while in others, more covertly,’ the ISS noted, adding that Russian intelligence services are adaptable, and the war certainly provides the best opportunity for that.”
—
“Before the war, Russian intelligence had failures in Europe and perhaps not the best reputation, but the confrontation with Ukraine has given intelligence services a new direction and purpose -- they are dangerous.”
—
“Estonian Internal Security Annual Report: 2023 - 2024.”
“Venemaa oli ja jääb Eesti peamiseks julgeolekuohuks.” - Postimees
“ISS yearbook highlights risks of Russian citizens working in Estonian IT sector.” - ERR
“Estonia: Russia used nationals abroad to sow discontent over Finland's border closures.” - Yle
“Estonian services: Russian FSB accused of abusing Ukrainian refugees at border.” - TVP
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EstoNews on-line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
EstoNews Dropbox archive:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1kvd04gtar6ty2b/AADCUK2J_RXcMyIYf_sjnAwoa?dl=0
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Friday 12. April
The continued security of our region requires Ukraine’s victory over Russia
(Välisministeerium)
“Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was in Gotland, Sweden, on 9 and 10 April to meet with his colleagues in the Nordic-Baltic cooperation format (NB8). The representatives of eight countries discussed the region’s security challenges, the situation in Ukraine, the hybrid threat posed by Russia to the region, and developments in Belarus.”
—
“The meeting of foreign ministers concentrated on Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and its global dimension. “Ukraine’s victory over Russia is a priority we are all working for together,” the minister said, welcoming the NATO accession of our northern neighbours. “We have never been as strong as we are now, with all NB8 states belonging to NATO.”
Interview: Estonian PM Kaja Kallas
(TVP World)
“During her official visit to Poland, the Estonian Prime Minister laid a wreath at a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Katyn massacre on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the mass murder of thousands of Polish officers and other representatives of the elite, perpetrated by the Soviets on the orders of Joseph Stalin. TVP World’s Marek Steele-Zieliński obtained an exclusive interview with the head of the Estonian government, and asked among other things, on how having endured the Soviet atrocities similar to those endured by Poles, creates a sense of mutual understanding between the Polish and Estonian peoples.”
“Prime Minister Kaja Kallas visiting Poland.” - ERR
Metropoliit Eugeni levitas Kremli narratiive ja sekkus Eesti sisepoliitikasse
(Postimees)
“Kaitsepolitsei peadirektori Margo Pallosoni sõnul levitas veebruaris Eestist lahkunud Moskva Patriarhaadi Eesti Õigeusu Kiriku (MPEÕK) metropoliit Eugeni Kremli narratiive ja sekkus Eesti parlamendivalimistesse.”
“MPEÕK lahti ühendamine Moskvast pole kerge.” - ERR
“Disassociating MPEÕK from Moscow Patriarchate will not be easy.” - ERR
“Moscow Patriarchate must be deemed a terrorist organization.” - Postimees
“Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate says no sides taken politically in sermons.” - Postimees
 |
| Postimees: 12. April 2024 |
Thursday 11. April
Majority of non-Estonian residents define themselves as Estonian Russians
(ERR)
“The majority of residents of other nationalities living in Estonia define themselves as Estonian-Russian, Russian-speaking Estonian or both Estonian and Russian, polling shows. The data shows 57 percent of people in this category defined themselves as Estonian-Russian, Russian-speaking Estonian or both Estonian and Russian. 22 percent said they were Russian.”
Estonia developing video call option for emergency 112 number
(BNN)
“112 is the pan-European emergency number.”
https://bnn-news.com/estonia-developing-video-call-option-for-emergency-112-number-255943
Estonia to help Moldova bolster its air security
(TVP)
“The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments has signed a contract with Moldova’s Defense Ministry and the Czech arms company ERA for the purchase of a radar system for Moldova …”
https://tvpworld.com/76917218/estonia-to-help-moldova-bolster-its-air-security
“President Duda vows that Poland would defend Lithuania in case of attack.” - Delfi
Finland may permanently host Nato troops, says Defence chief
(Yle)
“Finland does not face an immediate military threat, according to General Janne Jaakkola, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). … He said the West has an opportunity to influence the situation through its own actions.”
—
“Finland is currently the only Nato country sharing a border with Russia that lacks a permanent presence of troops from other Nato countries. So far, Finland has not yet requested that kind of defence help. Plans are currently being drawn up on how Nato will organise its command structure and how allied forces might operate in Finland.”
Putin miscalculated on Finland’s border
(Politico Europe)
“Russian President Vladimir Putin recently threatened to station troops near the country’s border with Finland once again. That’s heavy saber-rattling, considering the border is more than 1,300 kilometers long. And Finland, of course, now enjoys the protection of its NATO allies, which means Putin’s threat is unlikely to cause any existential anxieties.”
—
“But this intimidation attempt will be unsuccessful for another crucial reason too: Russia doesn’t have enough soldiers.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-russia-miscalculated-on-finland-border/
Wednesday 10. April
Trust in Riigikogu falls below 30 %
(ERR)
“… a more than 10 % drop on year, the results of a new poll by Turu-uuringute AS and commissioned by the Government Office. … Trust is lower than average among people without higher education and those living in northeast Estonia.”
https://news.err.ee/1609305930/trust-in-riigikogu-falls-below-30-percent
“Majority of Finns dissatisfied with government.” - Helsinki Times
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur visited Iowa
(Iowa Capital Dispatch)
“Pevkur kicked off his trip through the Midwest in Des Moines … He planned to speak at Midwestern universities, including Grinnell College in Iowa and Augustana College and Northwestern University in Illinois, in addition to touring Lewis Machine & Tool Defense in the Quad-Cities area.”
—
“LMT Defense moved in 2019 from Milan, Illinois, to Eldridge, Iowa, where the gun manufacturer produced more than 16,000 rifles for the Estonian military as part of a $25 million contract. Pevkur said he planned to visit the Eldridge facility on Tuesday to see the work and capabilities of the factory as well as look at possibilities for “future collaboration” with the Iowa-based weapons manufacturer.”
Conference in Estonia brought together ethnic/regional movements from Russia
By Paul Goble
“At a meeting of the League of Free Nations in Estonia, on April 5-6, these two groups in the MariUver portal reported, to “unite national and regional movements” and build on the common ground between them.”
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/04/conference-in-estonia-brings-together.html
More than 100 cruise ships expected to visit Estonia this summer
(ERR)
“While cruise tourism is booming around the world, companies are more cautious about visiting the Baltic Sea, said Sirle Arro, marketing and communications manager at the Port of Tallinn. This is due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, war in Ukraine, and economic situation. … ”But we see that every year more ships are coming to this area, but the ships are smaller than before.” The loss of St Petersburg from Baltic routes has also influenced companies' plans. It used to be possible to visit the Russian city visa-free.”
https://news.err.ee/1609305996/more-than-100-cruise-ships-expected-to-visit-estonia-this-summer
“Tallinna on see suvi oodata ligi sada kruiisilaeva.” - Estonian World Review
“Many Tallinn eateries may this summer have to hire staff who lack Estonian skills.” - ERR
“Enchantment of Estonia flies under the radar.” - Sunday Post
Estonia Enforces Ban on Soviet Symbols
(MSN)
“In a move to distance itself from symbols of past and present aggression, Estonia has outlawed the display of items such as the Georgian ribbon or the letter Z, closely associated with Russian military and nationalist sentiments.”
NATO’s New Energy Makes Russia Anxious and Angry
By Pavel K. Baev, Jamestown Org.
“Every Russian stereotype about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been disproven by the alliance’s surge of activity in its 75th year. Moscow portrays NATO as an aggressive and indecisive institution, rigidly controlled by the United States, and disunited. The meeting of NATO foreign ministers, which took place in Brussels from April 3 to 4, alarmed many Russian experts as the member states demonstrated resolve in strengthening their solidarity …”
https://jamestown.org/program/natos-new-activity-makes-russia-anxious-and-angry/
Ukraine damaged a Russian warship on the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad
(RFERL | The Express)
“… which, if true, would demonstrate Kyiv's increasing ability to hit Kremlin assets far beyond its borders. … The attack would be the latest by Ukraine against a Russian warship and the first in the Baltic Sea. Due to its location, the attack is likely to have more of a psychological impact than any impact on the course of the war.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-shp-strike-baltic/32896493.html
—
https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/133901/putin-news-russian-warship-hit-baltic-sea-ukraine
EU unleashes arsenal of defense acronyms to fight Putin
(Politico Europe)
“Over the past two years the EU has loosed a fusillade of initiatives to meet these aims, all with their own baffling titles. Here, POLITICO spells out the EU’s arsenal of acronyms, and examines whether any will make a difference.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-defense-plans-acronyms-explainer/
EU jobs crisis as employers say applicants don't have the right skills
(Euronews)
“The main reasons given by employers were that applicants did not have the right qualifications, skills or experience, closely followed the lack of applicants at 54%. In the EU, it varied from 41% in France to 70% in Estonia, indicating how widespread the skill shortage issue has become.”
- Russia’s Forever War -
In Ukraine's Donbas, ten years of war and Russification
(France24)
“On April 7, 2014, a coup by pro-Russian militants in the city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine was the spark that ignited the Donbas war. In the heart of this industrial region, populated at the time by six million mostly Russian-speaking inhabitants, the armed confrontation began between an expansionist Russia and a Ukraine aspiring to consolidate its independence. The Donbas has become a desolate landscape after ten years of war, and Russification has been brutally imposed.”
Will Russia Face a New Mobilization?
(Riddle)
“And now with the presidential ‘elections’ out of the way, the Kremlin has announced large-scale plans to increase the size of the armed forces - according to Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu, this year they are to be supplemented by two general armored armies and thirty formations, including fourteen divisions and sixteen brigades. Reports of a slowdown in the signing of contracts have become more frequent, spring conscription has begun, but mobilization has not taken place.”
https://ridl.io/will-russia-face-a-new-mobilization/
Putin might overhaul Russia’s government after his 7. May inauguration
(Meduza)
“After he’s sworn in, according to Russian law, he’s required to dissolve the government and form a new one. However, sources close to both the Kremlin and Russia’s Cabinet of Ministers told Meduza that they’re confident most influential officials will retain their positions.”
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/04/11/just-when-we-thought-things-settled-down
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko’s ever closer union
(Meduza)
“Two years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus appear to be intensifying their dialogue about the future of the Union State, the supranational body to which the two countries formally belong. On a visit to Russia this week, Alexander Lukashenko spent two days with Vladimir Putin, discussing issues related to the “regional and international situation” and “the coordination of actions in response to existing challenges and threats.”
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/04/12/swapping-repressive-practices
“Belarus Prepares for War but Hopes to Avoid It.” - Jamestown Org.
The War Is Not Going Well for Ukraine
By Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic
“If the United States does nothing, the coming seasons will be even bleaker—and not just in Kyiv.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/04/kyiv-spring-ukraine-military-aid/678013/
Russian Offensive Campaign
Assessment: 11. April 2024
(ISW)
“Russian forces conducted another large-scale series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of April 10 to 11 that caused notable and likely long-term damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.”
—
“Ukraine needs more Patriot air defense batteries to protect both Ukraine’s population centers and frontline areas.”
—
“The Ukrainian General Staff reported that a new mobilization law will come into force after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signs the law in May.”
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-11-2024
“Russia puts more Kremlin critics on a wanted list as its crackdown on dissent reaches new levels.” - ABCNews
“Russian strikes on Ukraine energy grid aim to 'demilitarise' country, Putin says.” - France24
“Over 200,000 without power following Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.” - Novaya Gazeta
“Russia Begins Closing Prisons As Both Convicts And Staff Head To War” - RFERL
“Vene rünnakus hävis täielikult Kiievi lähedal asuv elektrijaam.” - ERR
Russia’s state-sponsored Wikipedia alternative seeks to prove that ignorance is strength
(Novaya Gazeta)
“While Russian attempts to create a viable national alternative to Wikipedia have generally failed to gain traction, the closest thing to a success story is Ruwiki, a censored online encyclopedia that proudly complies with Russian law and is regularly cleansed of references to so-called ‘foreign agents’, criticism of the government, and reports of torture in prisons.”
https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2024/04/11/party-line-editing-en
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