Warnings of Russian recruitment activities by Estonian Security Service
(BNN)
“The Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) has issued a warning about Russian intelligence activities to recruit people to carry out provocations in connection with the Tannenberg Line Memorial Day. The ISS reported that in recent days it has received more frequent reports of social media appeals and calls to damage monuments related to the battle.”
https://bnn-news.com/estonian-security-service-warns-of-russian-recruitment-activities-270213
GPS disruptions intensify near Estonia's eastern border
(Postimees)
“Due to the activation of a new jammer in Russia, the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) and the Transport Administration are drawing attention to increased GPS interference, particularly affecting drone operations. The authorities recommend avoiding drone flights in the city of Narva, its surrounding areas, and along the coast of Narva Bay. “
—
“Despite the disruptions, air and sea travel remain safe, as both maritime and aviation sectors rely primarily on alternative navigation systems that do not depend on GPS signals.”
https://news.postimees.ee/8292805/gps-disruptions-intensify-near-estonia-s-eastern-border
“Estonia says Russia is moving electronic warfare systems closer to NATO borders.” - Euromaidan Press
Venemaa lülitas sisse uue GPS segaja Eesti idapiiri taga
(Estonian World Review)
“Läänemere piirkonnas on kaks suuremat häirete piirkonda: Kaliningrad ja Peterburi. Viimasel ajal oleme täheldanud uut segajat, mis mõjutab eelkõige droonide lennutamist Narva ümbruses ja Narva lahe rannikualadel,” kommenteeris TTJA sagedushalduse talituse juhataja Erko Kulu.”
https://www.eesti.ca/venemaa-lulitas-sisse-uue-gps-segaja-eesti-idapiiri-taga/article61818
“GPSi häired on idapiiri lähistel tugevnenud.” - Postimees
“Venemaa uus segaja on GPS-häireid idapiiri lähistel suurendanud.” - ERR
“Vene armee tõi Kingissepa piirkonda sõjalise seadme, mis segab Eestis GPS-signaali.” - Delfi
Dispelling the “Narva Is Next” Narrative
By Marek Kohv, opinion
(ICDS / Diplomaatia)
“Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe stemming from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Estonia’s security remains firm. A multifaceted defence framework encompasses Russia’s military attrition, NATO’s collective defence principle, and regional cooperation, as well as Estonia’s substantial defence capabilities and effective intelligence agencies. It thus forms a formidable shield that significantly mitigates the direct threat of military conflict.”
—
“The question of “Is Narva next?” has become a recurring theme in international journalistic discourse. The short answer is ‘no’.”
https://icds.ee/en/estonias-robust-security-posture-dispelling-the-is-narva-next-narrative/
“Eesti on kaitstud ehk miks Narva ei ole järgmine.” - Marek Kohv
____________
The Welles Declaration
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna
(Välisministeerium)
“… the Welles Declaration helped preserve hope during five decades of occupation, contributed to affirming Estonia’s legal continuity, and demonstrated that while the Soviet Union attempted to justify the occupation and annexation of the Baltic States, the free world saw through these efforts. Tsahkna also emphasized that the Welles Declaration holds lessons for today’s world.”
—
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Declaration.”
“How the Welles Declaration helped keep Estonia legally alive for 51 Years.” - Estonian World
Ameerika mõistis 85 aastat tagasi hukka Balti riikide okupeerimise
(ERR | Välisministeerium)
“Sumner Welles riskis selle avaldusega mõnes mõttes oma karjääriga, sest nii välisministeeriumis kui ka mujal oli palju inimesi, kes polnud selle deklaratsiooni üle väga rõõmsad. Eriti seetõttu, et kui 1941. aastal sõja käik muutus ja Nõukogude Liidust sai liitlassuhetes suurem tegija," lausus estofiil Mel Huang.”
—
______________
EstoNews Runs on Coffee
and Vana Tallinn
(EstoNews)
If you find the geopolitical news from Estonia and the Baltic Sea region helpful and informative, consider buying me a cup of coffee or a shot of Vana Tallinn every once in a while to keep me going - visit the PayPal link below. Tänan!
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EstoNews100
EstoNews On-Line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
______________
Ligikaudu 2 % Eesti perekonnanimedest on pärit 16. sajandist
(Eeter/ERR)
[Nearly 2% of Estonian names date back to the 16th century.]
“Coca-Cola nimede turunduskampaanias on enamik nimesid venepärased.” - ERR
Tallinna Lauluväljak kavandab uut lauluväljaku detailplaneeringut
Sander Pärn, ERR
“Sihtasutus Tallinna Lauluväljak kavandab uut detailplaneeringut, et sobitada piirkond paremini linnapildiga. Väljakule planeeritakse rajada uusi teid ja tunneleid, et suurüritustel oleks inimeste liikumine sujuvam. Sihtasutuse juhataja Urmo Saareoja sõnul on vaja lauluväljakule ehitada ka muud taristut.”
https://www.err.ee/1609751697/tallinna-lauluvaljak-kavandab-uut-lauluvaljaku-detailplaneeringut
The Soviet Estonian flag flew on the wall of the Writer's House in Tallinn
(ERR)
“Riigikogu member Jaak Valge (ERK) said that he and poet Andres Aule were responsible. … The pair carried out a similar act two summers ago to protest writer Juhan Smuul (1922–1971), whose bas-relief is on the building, after it was revealed that he had been involved in the 1949 deportations of Estonians to Siberia. Police and Border Guard Board confiscated the flag and will decide whether to initiate proceedings after the circumstances are clarified.”
https://news.err.ee/1609751739/mp-once-again-flies-soviet-estonian-flag-from-old-town-building
Dozens of skeletons found on outskirts of Viljandi
(The Baltic Times)
“The Estonian War Museum has completed excavations at a cemetery site in the Järveotsa area on the outskirts of Viljandi, where a new residential district is planned and where the dig uncovered the remains of dozens of people, the regional Sakala reports. Archaeological excavations conducted in 2024 revealed that the site held individuals from a refugee camp for Russian civilians, which operated from 1943 to 1944.”
https://www.baltictimes.com/dozens_of_skeletons_found_on_outskirts_of_viljandi/
Experts are split over introducing property tax in Estonia
(ERR)
“Estonia currently has only a land tax, which means property taxes are the lowest in the European Union. …”
https://news.err.ee/1609750991/experts-split-over-introducing-property-tax-in-estonia
“Korteriturg püsib stabiilne, kuid majade hinnad tõusevad.” - ERR
“Apartment market in Estonia remains stable, house prices rising.” - ERR
South Estonian speakers seek recognition of their languages as regional ones
By Paul Goble
“The balance of expert opinion has now shifted in favor of the position of the speakers of these tongues, especially because the European Union of which Estonia is a member has a long tradition of supporting regional languages. In addition, the experience of neighboring Finland with regional languages also has had an impact.”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/07/south-estonian-speakers-seek.html
Kihnu - Estonia’s island of true equality
(The Guardian)
“The women of this island ensure that it is more than just a living museum.”
“Väikesaarte inimestele teeb muret kogukondade killustatus.” - ERR Raadio
____________
“Uus relvaseadus kasvatagu rahva kaitsetahet ja relvaomanike arvu.” - Postimees
“Miks riik ei usalda meie ajateenijatele relvi?” - Postimees
____________
“Paper: Options to Strengthen the Tax System in Estonia.” - IMF
“Tartu psühhiaatriakliiniku erakorraline vastuvõtt ägab alkohoolikute tulva all.” - ERR
“New car sales fell by 40 % in the first half of the year.” - ERR
“Eestis kogutakse plastijäätmeid ringlussevõtuks liiga vähe.”- ERR
“UK’s Project ASGARD plots next steps following live trials in Estonia.” - Breaking Defense
“Meediapädevuse spetsialistid: Venemaa propaganda sihib Eestis vanemaealisi.” - Novaator
"Narva resident handed 6.5 year prison sentence for espionage.” - ERR
“Stormy weather damaging more trees in Estonia.” - ERR
____________
Around the Baltic Sea
Could Eco Warriors Help Deter Putin?
By Mykyta Vorobiov, CEPA
“Ukraine, Finland, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states are discovering a new ally in their defense against Russia: Wetlands. Swamps, bogs, and peatlands have been highly efficient natural barriers to military advances throughout history.”
https://cepa.org/article/could-eco-warriors-help-deter-putin/
Lithuanian armed forces to equip each unit with drones - defence chief
(LRT)
“Every infantry squad will have a reconnaissance drone. Higher-level units will be equipped with appropriate reconnaissance and combat drone systems. We are also working to develop long-range combat drones so we can strike deep behind enemy lines if needed,” said Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaikšnoras.”
______________
“Toward a Europeanised NATO.” - ICDS
“Multiple wildfires blaze across Lapland.” - Yle
“The reality of civil defense protection in Riga.” - BNN
“Baltic bellwether: How to boost the EU’s civil preparedness.” - ECFR
“Lithuanian intelligence: Belarus KGB targeting Belarusian diaspora for recruitment.” - BNS via LRT
“Sweden: High forest fire risk due to recent hot weather.” - Radio Sweden
“Lithuania’s youth enter military service physically unprepared.” - LRT
“If you spot a submarine in Finnish waters, keep calm and carry on.” - Yle
“Poland readies 'how to' guide to coping in case of war, natural disaster.” - Reuters
“Finnish Coast Guard notes uptick in ships concealing their location.” - Yle
“Neo‑Nazi “Active Clubs,” far‑right fight groups founded in the United States, have extended their reach into Finland.” - Helsinki Times
______________
Ukraine
Venemaa surub röövitud Ukraina lapsi rindele
(Postimees)
“Venemaa sunnib Ukrainast röövitud lapsi täiskasvanuikka jõudmisel oma riigi vastu võitlema, väidavad Ukraina valitsusametnikud. Alates 2014. aastast on Ukraina idapoolsetelt okupeeritud aladelt ära viidud hinnanguliselt 35 000 last. Nüüd on ilmsiks tulnud tõendeid, et kui lapsed saavad 18-aastaseks, värvatakse nad Vene sõjaväe ridadesse ja saadetakse rindele, et nad võitleksid seal oma sõprade, isade ja vendade vastu, kirjutas The Times.”
https://maailm.postimees.ee/8292874/venemaa-surub-roovitud-ukraina-lapsi-rindele
Zelenskyy U-turns on anti-corruption agencies power grab after public outcry
(Politico Europe)
“On Tuesday, Zelenskyy signed into law a bill placing Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies under the authority of the president’s loyalist prosecutor general, which agencies said effectively destroyed their independence. Two days later, Zelenskyy introduced another bill reverting the changes, after he said Wednesday night that he “heard the public opinion.”
Protests had erupted across Ukraine over new anti-corruption law
(Helsinki Times | Postimees)
“The legislation granted expanded oversight powers to a presidentially appointed prosecutor, undermining the autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The protests were the largest seen in wartime Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Demonstrations were reported in Lviv, Dnipro and Odesa alongside the capital.”
—
“Eesti avaldas muret Ukraina otsuse pärast nõrgestada korruptsiooniga võitlust.” - ERR
“Zelenskõi seab korruptsioonivastase võitluse õõnestamisega ohtu riigi ELi suuna.” - Postimees
“This is the real reason people are protesting in Ukraine.” - Caolan Robertson
“Eksperdid: Ukraina valitsus murdis ühiskondlikku lepingut.” - Postimees
Who is Ukraine’s new prime minister, and how was she appointed
(Meduza)
“Having survived Ukraine’s last cabinet reshuffle in the summer of 2024, Denys Shmyhal stepped down from the role of prime minister last week. … taking his place as head of government is Yulia Svyrydenko, who previously served as both first deputy prime minister and economy minister. Often described by Ukrainian media as a close ally of presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Svyrydenko is only the second woman in Ukraine’s history to become prime minister.”
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/21/yulia-s-not-in-it-for-the-money
“Ukraina on relvarahuks valmis kohe praegu.” - Postimees
“Ukraine to manufacture 30,000 long-range drones in 2025.” - BNE
“How to Negotiate with Moscow Based on Experience of a Ukrainian Diplomat.” - Jamestown Org.
“Ukraine’s state security hunts for Russian moles inside anti-corruption agency.” - Politico Europe
“If you want peace, you must arm Ukraine.” - Anne Applebaum, DW
“Ukraina luurejuht: Venemaa kulutab 1,1 triljonit võimalikuks eelseisvaks sõjaks.” - Postimees
______________
Russia’s Forever War
Russia Plans $1.1 Trillion Rearmament Push by 2036, Ukraine Warns
(Defense Post | Euronews)
“Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov announced this at a panel discussion during an annual meeting of Ukrainian ambassadors, which the Defense Intelligence Unit of Ukraine shared on Telegram.”
—
“There is a total mobilization of politics, economy, and society of the Russian Federation to be ready for the upcoming large-scale war,” Budanov said, adding that Russia already formed two new military districts in Moscow and Leningrad, with plans for more.”
—
“The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service estimates that Russia produced or refurbished 400,000 artillery rounds in 2022, multiplying its production more than eleven-fold to produce 4.5 million rounds in 2024.”
—
“NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has repeatedly said that Moscow’s annual ammunition production capacity is four times greater than that of the western alliance.”
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/23/russia-rearmament-2036-ukraine-intel/
—
Putin is Set to Be Even More Repressive and Aggressive
By Paul Goble
“With its “unerring intuition,” the Communist Party of the Russian Federation has declared Khrushchev’s denunciation of Stalin “a mistake,” thus putting itself in line with Vladimir Putin’s current thinking and opening the way for the Kremlin leader to be even more repressive at home and aggressive abroad, Andrey Arkhangelsky says. The Russian writer says that the KPRF’s action reflects the evolution of Putin’s thinking.”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/07/kprfs-repudiation-of-khrushchevs.html
“Moscow Warns It will Take ‘Appropriate’ Measures if Armed Conflict Breaks Out in Greenland.” - By Paul Goble
Putin signs law giving FSB ‘new Gulag’ powers to operate its own detention centres
(Novaya Gazeta | Meduza)
“The Russian State Duma has passed a law restoring the right of the Federal Security Service (FSB) to operate its own pre-trial detention centers. … Russian intelligence researchers Andrey Soldatov and Irina Borogan, in their analysis of the FSB detention center bills, have described the legislation as “a foundation for a new Gulag” and predicted a major expansion of repressions in the country:
Special railcars, ships, aircraft, powers to transport prisoners, and the authority to rule and punish within prison walls — all of this, under FSB control, points to preparations for repressions on a scale we haven’t yet seen.”
—
https://meduza.io/en/cards/a-new-gulag
Russian Intelligence Recruits Refugees and Migrants in NATO Countries for Espionage
(Jamestown Org.)
“Poland is a prime target for Russian influence operations because it plays a key role in supporting Ukraine as a logistical hub for the delivery of Western weapons and humanitarian aid. Additionally, Poland is actively strengthening its armed forces and modernizing NATO infrastructure on its territory, making it a high-value target for hostile intelligence activities. Polish counterintelligence agencies, particularly the Internal Security Agency (ABW), have already arrested several dozen individuals suspected of cooperating with Russian agencies such as the FSB and GRU …”
Big brother
(Novaya Gazeta)
“On Tuesday, the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, passed a controversial bill introducing fines for looking up “extremist” content online and for using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access that content. ”
—
“The bill, which is expected to be rubber-stamped by the Senate and signed into law by Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks, echoes legislation that has been used to suppress dissent in Belarus for over a decade, with citizens facing fines or administrative arrests for distribution, manufacture, or storage of information “calling for extremist activity or promoting such activity.”
https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2025/07/23/big-brothers-en
Russia’s only aircraft carrier may be headed for the scrap heap
(Meduza)
“Repairs on the Admiral Kuznetsov — an aircraft carrier long emblematic of both naval ambition and chronic technical trouble — have been halted. Now, the Defense Ministry and the United Shipbuilding Corporation have to decide whether it’s worth trying to finish the job on a nearly 40-year-old vessel. If not, the Kuznetsov will likely be decommissioned and scrapped. The flagship of the Russian Navy, the Kuznetsov has been in repairs since 2017. But after years of delays, mishaps, and ballooning costs, questions are mounting not only about its technical viability but also about whether aircraft carriers make sense for the Russian fleet at all.”
—
“The Kuznetsov gained particular notoriety for the thick plumes of black smoke it belched while underway. …
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/15/the-ship-of-shame
______________
“Putin’s Regime Rests on Its Ability to Instill and Maintain Fear in the Population.” - Paul Goble
“Why Putin thinks Trump’s Russia tariffs are a bluff.” - Spectator
“Belarus's Military Budget Is Ballooning.” - RFERL
“New Russian Drone Made Completely Of Chinese Components: Ukrainian Intelligence.” - TWZ
___________
_______
__
