’Russian social media in Estonia rejected President Karis' call to live amicably’
Opinion by Andrey Kuzichkin
Postimees
“Virtually no one on Russian-language social media supported the president's Restoration of Independence Day speech.”
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“… the general skeptical attitude is obvious: on the one hand, the Russian-speaking public does not generally consider Estonia's Restoration of Independence Day as their holiday. On the other hand, the existence of true freedom in the modern Estonian state is categorically denied. … the main reason for the weak integration of the Russian-speaking community into the Estonian national context is low satisfaction with their lives. The economic situation, prices, inflation, taxes and other problems that the president spoke about equally affect Estonians and other nationalities living in Estonia.”
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“Of course, there are many Kremlin bots on the networks whose task is to cast Estonia and our country's politics in a bad light.”
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“… there are enough indirect signs that show that the number of those in Estonia who are waiting for Russia to liberate Estonia from «Nazism» has sharply increased.”
Russia’s Evolving Drone Posture Outpaces Baltic Defenses
By Meelis Oidsalu
The Baltic Sentinel
“Russia’s 6th Air Defense Army, opposite Estonia, [HQ in St. Petersburg] is creating a new drone unit capable of launching up to 300 attack drones per day. The gap between Russia’s drone posture near the Baltics and the Baltic States’ ability to counter this threat is widening at an alarming pace. … (Recent) incidents reminds Baltic residents of two things: first, how close the Russia–Ukraine war truly is to NATO’s eastern flank; and second, that the Baltic states are currently struggling to detect low-flying attack drones.”
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“Given past drone incursions, many ask why NATO fighter jets don’t simply shoot them down. In practice, it is often impossible—because of radar blind spots at low altitudes—or impractical, since cheaper solutions exist. This is why developing ground-based air defense outside of NATO command structures is becoming increasingly urgent for the Baltic states. The problem: they lack permanently ready, rapid-response ground air defense units in the numbers required.”
https://balticsentinel.eu/8312454/russia-s-evolving-drone-posture-outpaces-baltic-defenses
“Ukrainians hunt Russian drones using prop planes and shotguns.”
New York Post
“Ukraine Uses Net-Firing Drones To Snag Russian UAVs.”
RFERL
Russian GPS Jamming Blamed for Ukrainian Drone Crash in Estonia
SOFX
“A Ukrainian combat drone crashed in southern Estonia early Sunday after likely being diverted by Russian electronic warfare, Estonian authorities said Tuesday.
According to authorities, fragments of the drone were discovered Monday afternoon in a field in Elva Parish in Tartu County by a local farmer, who reported the wreckage to emergency services. No injuries or structural damage were reported.”
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“We believe this was a Ukrainian drone intended for targets in Russia that veered off course due to Russian GPS jamming,” said Internal Security Service (ISS) Director Margo Palloson. “There is no indication the drone was Russian.”
https://www.sofx.com/ukrainian-drone-crashes-in-estonia-russian-gps-jamming-blamed/
Ukrainian Drone Explodes Over Estonia
ERR
“… without causing any casualties. Pieces of the drone, which left a crater on crashing, were discovered by an agricultural worker near the southeastern town of Tartu, some 75 kilometres (45 miles) from the border with Russia.”
“Stray Drone Striking Estonia Highlights Dangers Of Rapidly Expanding Long-Range War.”
The War Zone
“Estonian MEP Riho Terras calls for urgent action after drone crashes in Estonia.”
The Baltic Times
Kapo uurib Tartumaal alla kukkunud ründedrooni trajektoori
Postimees
“Eestis kukkus pühapäeva varahommikul alla lõhkeainega varustatud ründedroon, mis plahvatas ning jättis Tartumaal Aakre küla põllule mitmemeetrise kraatri.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8312074/kapo-uurib-tartumaal-alla-kukkunud-rundedrooni-trajektoori
Another drone fell into Lake Peipus on Russia's side
ERR
“On Saturday and early Sunday morning, drone activity was high in Russia's Leningrad region, as Ukraine carried out drone strikes against various targets in Russia. Drones attacked facilities in the city of St. Petersburg as well as the oil terminal at the Ust-Luga port, about 50 kilometers from the Estonian border.”
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Cover Photo:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kuressaare_jahisadam.jpg
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Estonia's interest payments may total €400 million
ERR
“… in 4 years. Employers worry that ever-expanding expenses will eventually cripple the economy.”
How Estonians are managing the threat of a Russian invasion
By Juri Rescheto
Deutsche Welle
“Estonians don't want to live in fear — even if some are preparing themselves for the worst.”
https://www.dw.com/en/how-estonians-are-managing-the-threat-of-a-russian-invasion/a-73724598
Estonia considers restoring ailing bogs to protect against Putin
Politico Europe
“Tallinn is the third EU government to launch ministerial talks on the idea of defensive bog restoration along NATO's eastern flank, joining Finland and Poland, after scientists pointed out that peatlands can serve as highly effective traps for both enemy tanks and carbon dioxide.”
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“Fifth Estonian volunteer soldier dies in Ukraine.” ERR
“Jõhvis sai nurgakivi Eesti esimene filmilinnak.”
ERR
“How Lithuania overtook Estonia in economic development.”
ERR Opinion
“Estonian citizens warned of spy games if they travel to Russia.”
The Parliament
“Healthcare and social welfare systems to merge under new plans.”
ERR
“Estonia’s Largest Cinema Opens in Tallinn.”
Film New Europe
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Around the Baltic Sea
Baltic Training Grounds and NATO Forward Presence
By Lukas Milevski
Foreign Policy Research Institute
“The need for sufficient training grounds in the Baltic states poses a challenge for Baltic militaries and NATO allies. When militaries are not fighting, they are often training. This requires substantial geographical space — a single brigade-level training area may need more than 20,000 hectares (over 49,000 acres) of land.”
https://fpribalticinitiative.substack.com/p/baltic-training-grounds-and-nato
Europe looks to restore bogs for border defence
Helsinki Times | France24 | Politico
“Bog restoration is emerging as a dual-purpose strategy for European governments, serving both defence and climate objectives. Inspired by a wartime tactic used near Kyiv in 2022, where flooding former wetlands helped halt a Russian advance, countries along NATO’s eastern flank are now investigating peatland restoration as a defence measure …”
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https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-defense-kyiv-ukraine-nato-eu-bogs-poland-war-germany/
Sweden And Latvia Prepare For Anti-Drone Warfare
Army Recognition
“On August 27, 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces announced the completion of a major drone warfare exercise in Latvia … designed to replicate conditions similar to those in Ukraine, where drones have become decisive weapons on the modern battlefield. The proliferation of drones in Ukraine has already influenced NATO planning, prompting investments in jamming, kinetic interceptors, and protective equipment for troops.”
“No silver bullet solution against drones.”
ERR
“President: Drone, air defense development must be accelerated.”
ERR
“Russian Drones Pose Growing Danger.”
Jamestown Org. - June 2025
Upcoming Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 military drills
12. - 16. Sept.
The Kyiv Independent
“The fifth set of exercises, Zapad-2025, has been downsized and moved further from the border, although they are still a cause for suspicion after the last "joint drill" — Union Resolve in early 2022 — was used to mask the buildup of a Russian assault force that stormed into Ukraine in February of that year.”
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“Notoriously, Zapad-2017 featured three fictional states, Vesbaria, Lubenia, and Veyshnoria, which resembled the Baltic states Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and included territories in the Suwalki gap, an area of land separating the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast and western Belarus.”
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“According to Lithuanian intelligence, Zapad-2025 is expected to include fewer troops than before — some 30,000 personnel in total, with 6,000-8,000 of them stationed in Belarus and some in Russia's exclave, Kaliningrad Oblast.”
“Lithuanian Military Intelligence Assesses Low Risk of Russian Escalation After Zapad.”
The Baltic Sentinel
“Zapad-2025 tõstab Balti riikides ohuhinnangut.”
Postimees
“Russia Marshals its Strength for Zapad-2025.”
CEPA
“Ukraine warns Belarus against provocations.”
Reuters
Sweden building unmanned mini-submarines to defend Baltic Sea
Radio Sweden
“The six meter long, 1.5 meter wide vessel will be launched for trials early next summer.”
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sweden-building-unmanned-mini-submarines-to-defend-baltic-sea
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“Baltid näitavad teed Venemaa külmutatud varade kasutuselevõtus”
Välisministeerium
“The Baltic Way: The summer when flags bloomed.”
LRT
“A cargo ship currently sailing in the Baltic Sea suspected of carrying Russian spy drones.”
Yle
“Moscow Sends $17M in Back Payments for Russian Pensioners in Latvia and Estonia.”
The Moscow Times
“Canada will lead NATO multinational brigade in Latvia for three more years.”
LSM
“Finnish Navy adopting Israeli sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.”
Yle
“Finnish Defence Forces will reintroduce anti-personnel mines early next year.”
Yle
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Putin’s Forever War
The Hill
Welcome to Russia in 2025: Wave Your Comfortable Modern Life Goodbye
The Moscow Times
“Senior lawmaker Vladimir Gutenev, who also heads the State Duma’s Industry and Trade Committee, recently urged Russians to prepare for “regular and necessary” internet shutdowns.”
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“We’re used to paying with cards or smartphones and having constant connectivity,” he said. “But now it’s important to accept temporary restrictions as a necessity.”… Gutenev added: “Don’t turn into a hipster who only lives in the center of Moscow. Life is not limited to comfort.”
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“So, forget your cards, your banking apps, your streaming services. The Motherland demands cash payments, offline living and an end to all this whining about modern comforts.”
Russia’s Pro-War Volunteers Say ‘Nobody Wants to Help the Army Anymore’
By Paul Goble
“Valentina Matrenina, a journalist with The Insider, reached those conclusions after talking with those who volunteered earlier but have cut back or stopped entirely. The behavior of the latter, she says, is evidence of both war weariness and even opposition to Putin’s conflict (theins.ru/confession/283938).”
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"She reports that the decline in volunteer activity became “especially notable” earlier this year when “talk about a truce” began. “Trump came alone and started humiliating Zelensky while praising Putin; and from that moment one, both fundraising and volunteer activity in Russai fell sharply.”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/08/russias-pro-war-volunteers-say-nobody.html
Russian Force Generation and Technological Adaptations Update
Institute for the Study of War
25. August
“Russian developers continue to introduce and test new kinetic anti-drone measures such as drone interceptors, thermal imaging sighting systems, and lasers.”
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“Russian and Ukrainian forces to create “smart minefields” by developing complex mining systems.”
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“Russia is reportedly expanding its drone production in Rostov Oblast to 100,000 drones per month.”
https://www.iswresearch.org/2025/08/russian-force-generation-and.html
Russian attack on Kyiv 'deliberately targeted' civilians
CBC | CNN
“Russia launched a major air attack early Thursday on Kyiv that included a rare strike on the city centre, killing at least 18 people, wounding 48 and damaging European Union diplomatic offices. Russia launched 598 strike drones and decoys and 31 missiles of different types across the country …”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kyiv-ukraine-capital-russian-attack-1.7619702
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https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/28/europe/ukraine-russia-kyiv-attack-hnk-intl
Euronews
“Putin defies pressure for peace with massive strike hitting EU mission in Kyiv.”
Politico Europe
“Russia Grinds Ahead in Donetsk.”
The Moscow Times
“Civilians flee another town in Donetsk region.”
Meduza
“Russian naval drones strike Ukraine’s recon ship.”
Defence Blog
“In Russia, Pardoned Former Convicts Return Home From War bringing violence with them.”
Lawfare
“With no peace in sight, Russia inches closer to its goal of fully occupying Donbas.”
Meduza
“Russian forces advance into another region of Ukraine as peace efforts flounder.”
CBC
“How Ukraine became one of the most heavily mined countries in the world”
The Guardian
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How Close Was Russia to NATO Membership?
By Klaus Wiegrefe
Der Spiegel
“DER SPIEGEL has examined previously classified German documents from 1994. That was the year NATO member states made the fundamental decision to accept countries that had formerly belonged to the Warsaw Pact. The documents come from the private archive of one of the individuals involved in that decision … The documents include letters written to U.S. president Bill Clinton by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, reports from German diplomats in Moscow and Washington, and internal analyses compiled for German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel.”
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“According to the papers, Clinton really was considering including Russia in NATO. That was the "official U.S. position,” reported German Ambassador Thomas Matussek from Washington in 1994. …”
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