Why Estonia's bogs are important
(ERR)
“A major part of the classic Estonian landscape is its bogs and meers, an ecosystem which even has global significance, according to Tallinn University (TLÜ) researcher Martin Küttim. In a short video lecture Küttim gave for ERR's Novaator portal, he noted how Estonia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bogland, which has largely been left intact and not extensively drained as in some other more densely populated parts of Europe.”
—
“The high water table means that peat mosses, sedges, and other bog-growing plants do not fully decompose at the end of their life cycle. Down the millennia, this has resulted in the formation of gigantic carbon and freshwater reservoirs, in the form of peat layers.”
https://news.err.ee/1609318776/why-are-estonia-s-bogs-so-important
“Climate Revolution in European Forestry: World First Carbon Reserve Parks in Estonia.” - Eureporter
“Report: European State of the Climate.” - European Commission
Hapnikupuudus süveneb Soome lahes vaatamata reostuskoormuse vähenemisele
(Novaator)
“Soome lahe põhjas napib vaatamata vähenenud reostuskoormusele hapnikku. Teadlased näevad selle põhjusena endiselt liialt suuri maismaalt merre jõudvaid ja seal juba akumuleerunud toitainete koguseid, aga ka kliimamuutuseid. Viimases, aastate 2017–2022 seireandmete põhjal koostatud keskkonnaseisundi hinnangus jõudsid eksperdid järeldusele, et peaaegu kogu Eesti mereala, sh Soome laht on eutrofeerunud. Eutrofeerumise taset hinnati toitainete ja hapniku sisalduse, vee läbipaistvuse ja fütoplanktoni ning põhjaelustiku seisundi abil, kirjutab Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli meresüsteemide instituudi teadur Stella-Theresa Luik (Stoicescu).”
“Mereväelased leidsid Läänemerest 40 ajaloolist lõhkekeha ja laevavraki.” - Pealinn
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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
Cover print:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Der_Dom_zu_Reval.jpg
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Friday 26. April
Raudteel transporditi sadu Briti relvajõudude sõidukeid
(Õhtuleht)
“Täna võis Eesti raudteedel näha liikumas sadadest armeesõidukitest koosnevat kolonni. Tegemist oli Briti relvajõudude tehnikaga, mida liigutati NATO suurõppuste raames.”
NATO cyber defense exercise in Estonia ended on Friday
(Estonian World Review)
“International cooperation in cyberspace is the key to success. As the world’s biggest exercise of its kind, Locked Shields is one of the best examples of high-level international cooperation. We are very proud to host it in Estonia and to see how the NATO CCDCOE and the teams involved with its organisation take it to new, successively impressive levels each year,” said Minster of Defence of Estonia Mr Hanno Pevkur.”
https://www.eesti.ca/nato-cyber-defense-exercise-in-estonia-ended-on-friday/article60977
NATO Puts on a Show of Force in the Shadow of Russia’s War
(New York Times)
“About 90,000 NATO troops have been training in Europe this spring for the Great Power war that most hope will never come: a clash between Russia and the West with potentially catastrophic consequences.”
—
“In Estonia, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Liberty, N.C., jumped out of planes alongside soldiers from Colchester Garrison in Essex, Britain, for “forcible entry” operations. In Lithuania, German soldiers arrived as a brigade stationed outside Germany on a permanent basis for the first time since World War II.”
—
“It is a preview of what the opening beats of a modern Great Power conflict could look like. If NATO and Russia went to war, American and allied troops would initially rush to the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — NATO’s “Eastern Flank”— to try to block penetration by a Russian force.”
Or:
“Leedus harjutavad 1,500 NATO sõdurit Suwalki koridori kaitsmist.” - ERR
“Russia intensifying attacks before US equipment arrives in Ukraine.” - ERR
“New Artillery maintenance shop for indirect fire weapons opens in Tapa.” - The Baltic Times
“Estonia delivers 2 patrol boats to Ukraine.” - Ukrinform
Military aircraft parking areas to be built next to Tallinn Airport's runway
(ERR)
“The contract signed with Tallinn Airport is valued at €7.5 million plus VAT. The works are expected to be completed by fall 2025, announced Nordecon and AS Tallinn Airport. The creation of parking spaces for E-class aircraft is part of Tallinn Airport's long-term development plan, enhancing the airport's capability to accommodate large and heavy aircraft. The parking spaces planned next to the runway will serve multiple purposes in the future. On one hand, the space will accommodate military flights. On the other, it is designated for aviation-related businesses for the storage and transportation of aviation goods and providing aircraft maintenance services.”
https://news.err.ee/1609323626/military-aircraft-parking-to-be-added-at-tallinn-airport
“Tallinna Lennujaam uuendas halva ilmaga maandumise taristut.” - Estonian World Review
Sweden's defence spending may increase up to 2.6 % of GDP by 2030
(Radio Sweden)
“Among the other proposals from the cross-party Defence Commission are more conscripts, a stronger air defence and an increase from two to four brigades.”
British Army's new upgraded Apache helicopter spearheads largest Nato exercise since the Cold War
(Forces Net)
“Nine new Apache AH-64E attack helicopters will be making their first appearance on a Nato exercise in Finland and Estonia for Exercise Arrow and Exercise Swift Response respectively.”
https://www.forces.net/nato/new-apache-ah-64e-makes-its-exercise-debut-natos-largest-deployment
“Exercise TORNADO 2024, which was led by the Kalev Infantry Battalion, has concluded.” - Joint-Forces
Finnairi lennuk ei saanud GPS-häiringu tõttu Tartu lennuväljale maanduda
(ERR)
“… ning pöördus tagasi Helsingisse. … ”Meie piloodid on GPS-i häiretest hästi teadlikud ja lennuki süsteemid tuvastavad GPS-häired kiiresti. Meie lennukid kasutavad õhusõiduki asukoha arvutamiseks mitut allikat, mille abil saab tunde säilitada sobivat navigatsioonitäpsust isegi siis, kui GPS ei tööta. Enamikus lennujaamades on olemas tavapärane lähenemisvarustus, mis võimaldab maanduda ilma GPS-ita, kuid Tartu on üks väheseid lennujaamu, kus lähenemisprotseduurid nõuavad GPS-signaali, mistõttu maandumine ei õnnestunud," ütles ERR-ile Finnairi pressiesindaja.”
“Finnair plane aborts landing at Tartu airport due to GPS interference.” - ERR
Leedu Valgevene piiripunktis ootab üle kümne kilomeetri masinaid
(Postimees)
[More than ten kilometers of machines are waiting at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing.]
—
“Leedu Medininkai piiriületuspunkti tõkkepuu ees ootas täna üle tuhande erineva suurusega sõidumasina rohelist tuld Valgevenesse sisenemiseks.”
—
“Piirikontrolliks ei kulu üle kümne minuti, aga sanktsioonid eeldavad põhjalikku kaubakontrolli ja kõik tolliprotseduurid on seetõttu aeganõudvamad,’ selgitas Postimehele Padvarionysi piirivalveüksuse juht Sigitas Valainis, kelle vastutusalasse kuulub ka Medininkai piiripunkt.”
The Baltic States’ Megaproject Will Replace it’s Russian Railways
(The B1M)
“Requiring spectacular engineering, advanced technology and world-class design, here’s how the Baltic states are using big infrastructure to put themselves firmly on the map. … It all begins in Ülemiste, on the outskirts of Tallinn. This is where the spectacular new passenger terminal designed by Zaha Hadid Architects has now broken ground. … Excavation for the station building is in progress, along with the foundations and supporting structures, after it took longer than planned to dig up the old infrastructure.”
https://www.theb1m.com/video/rail-baltica
“Rail Baltic Estonia has signed a contract for procurement consulting services.” - Railway News
“Latvian Rail Baltica project loses regional station designer.” - LSM
“Lithuania’s Transport Minister on Rail Baltica and air connectivity.” - Railway Technology
“Rail Baltica in Economic Focus" offers insights on the future of rail transportation in the Baltic region.” - The Baltic Times
Ukraine halts passport services for men living abroad
(Deutsche Welle)
“The measure aims to force men back home to serve in the military, but some doubt its efficacy — and legality.”
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-halts-passport-services-for-men-living-abroad/a-68923603
Thursday 25. April
Narva muuseum: Venemaa valmistub 9. mail taas mingiks kontserdiks jõe ääres
(Postimees)
“… meie aga valmistume neile vastama.”
Nursipalu metsa neljarajaline maantee? Kohus pani raie seisma
Ülle Harju, Postimees
“Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus ei suutnud kohut veenda, et Nursipallu on vaja sisse raiuda teekoridor, kuhu mahuks neljarajaline maantee. Kui kohus töö peatas, olid raiujad jõudnud juba kaitsealuste karukelladeni.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8006999/nursipalu-metsa-neljarajaline-maantee-kohus-pani-raie-seisma
Estonian defense spending could hit 5% of GDP over the next few years
(TVP World)
“Martin Herem, an Estonian general and the current Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, has been quoted as saying by the Estonian Public Broadcasting service, ERR News, that the amount of money Tallinn spends on defense could rise to 5% of the country’s GDP over the next few years.”
—
“The extra spending would allow Estonia to invest €1.5 billion to upgrade its arms and ammunition to deter the Kremlin from attacking, and also allow for the country to destroy Russian infrastructure should Russia decide to attack.”
https://tvpworld.com/77132495/estonian-defense-spending-could-hit-5-of-gdp-soon-says-commander
“Finance minister: We must move towards introducing a security tax.” - ERR
Chinese ship remains the focus of the investigation into Baltic Sea gas pipeline damaged last year
(ABCNews | Washington Post)
“… between NATO members Finland and Estonia, Finnish authorities said.”
—
Wednesday 24. April
Tallinnas algas maailma suurim küberkaitseõppus Locked Shields
(Postimees)
“Õppus toob kokku küberjulgeoleku, digitaalse kriminaalõiguse, strateegilise kommunikatsiooni ja paljude teiste valdkondade eksperdid enam kui 40 riigist. Rahvusvahelist seltskonda ühendab üks eesmärk – võidelda küberohtudega. “Locked Shieldsi õppusel ja küberruumis on rahvusvaheline koostöö meie tugevaim kaitse,” sõnas NATO CCDCOE direktor doktor Mart Noorma.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8007484/tallinnas-algas-maailma-suurim-kuberkaitseoppus-locked-shields
“NATO cyber defense exercise begins in Estonia.” - The Kyiv Independent
“Ukraine participates in NATO cybersecurity exercise in Estonia.” - Yahoo
Ieva Ilves: päris abikaasat mul ei olnudki, abiellusin presidendiga
(Postimees)
“Abiellusin presidendiga ja mulle tundub, et Toomas võttis sellise rolli ka meie abielus, kommenteeris endine esileedi Ieva Ilves esimest korda oma lahutust Läti väljaandele. ‘Eelmisel aastal juhtus palju asju, mis olid minu jaoks moraalselt vastuvõetamatud’ …”
Baltic Sea is far from being a ‘NATO lake’
(Chatham House)
“Alliance countries need better understanding of the risks to their undersea infrastructure, and improved signalling to deter Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks.”
https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/04/baltic-sea-far-nato-lake-alliance-must-strengthen-its-defences
Interview: Ex Prime Minister Mart Laar
(ERR)
“Because we are next to a country that does not take a rational view of losses – that is the unpleasant factor we need to keep in mind. For as long as we live next to a neighbor who doesn't care about how many of its people die, it is very difficult to feel completely safe should we be attacked.”
https://news.err.ee/1609320864/mart-laar-we-need-to-admit-things-are-bad-and-stop-blaming-the-world
Europe, Not NATO, Should Send Troops to Ukraine
(Foreign Affairs)
“Only a few months ago, it would have been inconceivable for European leaders to propose sending European troops to Ukraine. But on February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron said the deployment of European forces to Ukraine could not be “ruled out.” Since then, other European officials have joined the chorus; the Finnish defense minister and Polish foreign minister have both suggested that their countries’ forces could end up in Ukraine. These comments, combined with existing support for such measures in the Baltic states, show that there is a growing bloc of countries open to this idea.”
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/europe-not-nato-should-send-troops-ukraine
“Can Ukraine Turn Things Around?” - The Bulwark
“Sweden to send combat vehicles and tanks to Nato force in Latvia.” - Radio Sweden
“Finland Joining NATO Multiplies Russia’s Baltic Problems.” - Jamestown Org.
“Kremlin spokeswoman: Nato drills in Finland ‘increase risk of military incidents’.” - Yle
“Poland ready to host NATO members' nuclear weapons to counter Russia.” - France24
Claim: Risk of military incidents on Belarus-Ukraine border quite high
(Aljazeera)
“Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that the risk of military incidents along his country’s border with Ukraine was quite high. … Lukashenko added that neighbouring Poland – to the country’s west – should not expect aggressive actions from Belarus.”
“Lukashenka Says Dozens Of Russian Nukes Are Deployed in Belarus.” - RFERL
“Lukašenka räägib, et valmistub sõjaks NATOga.”- Delfi
- Russia’s Forever War -
Russian Offensive Campaign
Assessment: 25. April 2024
(ISW)
“Russian forces are stabilizing their small salient northwest of Avdiivka and may make further tactical gains that could cause Ukrainian forces to withdraw from other tactical positions along the frontline west of Avdiivka to a more defensible line.”
—
“US officials are reportedly worried that the latest package of US military aid to Ukraine may not be enough for Ukraine to regain all of its territory. US military assistance is only part of what Ukraine currently needs, moreover; but Ukraine is itself working to address other war fighting requirements — primarily manpower challenges and the expansion of its defense industrial base.”
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-25-2024
“Ukraina hävitas Moskva lennuväljal sõjaväekopteri Ka-32.” - Postimees
“Russia Striking Ukraine Railways to 'Paralyze' Army Cargo.” - Moscow Times
“Russia would lose a war with NATO, Poland warns.” - Politico Europe
“Ukraine pulls US-provided Abrams tanks from the front lines over Russian drone threats.” - AP
“Russian forces make significant gains in eastern Ukraine.” - The Guardian
“What's Behind The Arrest Of Russia's Deputy Defense Minister?” - RFERL
“Arrest of Russian defence minister's deputy may be strike by rival ‘clan’.” - Reuters
“Navalnaya Warns Of Putin's Willingness To Strike In Europe.” - RFERL
“US accuses China of backing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” - Politico
“Russian Soldiers Have Killed Over 100 People Since Returning from Ukraine.” - The Moscow Times
The US and its allies are finally giving Ukraine the tools of survival
(CEPA)
“The US is sending $61bn in military aid, the result of a rare coming together by Congressional Democrats and Republicans. That was on April 23. With USAF heavy lift aircraft and logistics units already fired up, the aid began to flow immediately. Some is due to reach Ukraine’s near-empty frontline ammunition bunkers by April 25. A day earlier, it emerged that the administration had already sent ATACMS ballistic missiles with a range of around 300km (180-plus miles) that Kyiv has been seeking for more than a year. They have already been used, reportedly to good effect.”
—
“European allies joined the festival of giving. The UK said on April 23 it was sending $620m of equipment, including more Sky Shadow cruise missiles and 1,600 Paveway-guided bombs and air defense missiles. For its part, France will send more SAMP/T anti-ballistic missiles and armored vehicles, while NATO is pressing hard for allies to volunteer more of the critical Patriot air defense systems. Extra Patriots are expected in Ukraine shortly, including one from Germany. The flood of (mostly US) arms has not come a moment too soon.”
https://cepa.org/article/ukraine-here-comes-the-sun/
Russian soldiers are handing themselves over to Ukraine’s armed forces
(CEPA)
“They are officially listed as captured in battle, so are not considered traitors by Moscow, but at the same time won’t be included in prisoner swaps or returned to Russia unless they want to be.”
—
“On average, a prisoner surrenders every two days,” says Petro Yatsenko, a Ukrainian writer and spokesman for the coordination headquarters for prisoners of war. “There are weeks when no one surrenders. There are weeks when a small unit does — 10 people, for example, a platoon.”
https://cepa.org/article/desert-or-die-helping-russian-soldiers-choose-life/
“Russian Courts Last Month Convicted Record Number of Deserters from Putin’s Army in Ukraine.” - Paul Goble
Russian Propaganda: US support for Ukraine will end as ‘humiliating fiasco’
(Reuters | The Hill)
“Russia said on Sunday that U.S. lawmakers' support for $60.84 billion more in aid for Ukraine showed that Washington was wading much deeper into a hybrid war against Moscow that would end in humiliation on a par with the Vietnam or Afghanistan conflicts.”
—
“Russia now controls about 18% of Ukraine - in the east and south of its neighbour - and has been incrementally gaining ground since the failure of Kyiv's 2023 counter-offensive to make any serious inroads against Russian troops dug in behind minefields patrolled by drones and guarded by heavy artillery.”
—
Ukraine used U.S.- provided long-range ATACMS against Russia for the first time
(NBC News | Reuters)
“The first strike was about 100 miles inside Crimea’s border on the morning of April 17, targeting a Russian military airfield, according to the officials. The Ukrainian military used the U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, for the second time Tuesday night, targeting Russian forces east of the southeastern Ukrainian town of Berdyansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-uses-long-range-atacms-russia-first-time-rcna148309
—
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-quietly-shipped-long-range-atacms-missiles-ukraine-2024-04-24/
“Kremlin Claims Ukraine Access to ATACMS Will Not Impact Outcome of Conflict.” - The Moscopw Times
The U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)
(CSIS)
“The MGM-140/-164/-168 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is a series of short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant fueled, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed in the United States. The missile first saw use during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.”
https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/atacms/
Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service has designed new outfits for inmates in the country’s prisons
(Meduza)
“Russian Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko stated that the new prison clothes “will not only help improve the appearance of convicts but will also further efforts to create more humane detention conditions for them.”
—
“According to Justice Ministry data, as of October 2023, there were 266,000 people in Russian prisons. The number of inmates has been decreasing for several years, but the pace accelerated in 2022 when Moscow started recruiting convicts for its war in Ukraine.”
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