The Gotland Island Paradox
By Meelis Oidsalu
Postimees
“The fortification of Gotland, Sweden's largest island, does not alter Russia's military objectives for seizing islands in the Baltic Sea in the event of a war with NATO, but it does change its preferences regarding the location where these objectives might be met. In the Baltic Sea, there are three main candidates: Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, and the demilitarized Åland Islands …”
Gotlandi paradoks
Meelis Oidsalu
Postimees
“Saare kindlustamise tõttu muutuvad Eesti saared vastasele sõjaliselt atraktiivsemaks.:”
Defending the Islands of the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sentinel
“Warfare in the Baltic Sea is becoming increasingly difficult for Russia, as Sweden and Denmark are rapidly fortifying and arming the islands of Gotland and Bornholm. The Swedes began after the occupation of Crimea, while the Danes have only recently woken up.”
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“The defense of Estonia’s islands has also developed significantly. This summer, the number of allies who have practiced amphibious landings on Estonian islands Saaremaa and Hiiumaa increased with the participation of the Finns. The defense of Estonia’s islands is a collective defense operation: local forces (the Defense League, Air Force, police, and border guards) are responsible for blocking ports and airfields, while the Estonian Defense Forces are capable of delivering precision strikes against ships and vehicles up to 300 kilometers from the islands. The overall defensive situation of the islands in Estonia has thus improved markedly. …”
Saksa meedia: Venemaa võib kasutada Estonia vrakki luuretegevuseks
ERR
“Mitme Saksa meediaväljaande teatel on NATO-l teavet, et Venemaa on kasutanud Läänemere põhjas olevat reisilaev Estonia vrakki väljaõppeks ning võimalik, et ka luuretegevuseks. Mitmel NATO liikmesriigil on teavet, et Estonia vrakile paigaldati mõned aastad tagasi tehniline varustus, mis võimaldab allveedroonide ja -robotite täpset navigeerimist, kirjutavad Saksa meediaväljaanded. Nende andmetel usuvad Lääne julgeolekuringkonnad, et ka Venemaa relvajõud on sarnaseid tegevusi teinud.”
https://www.err.ee/1609838742/saksa-meedia-venemaa-voib-kasutada-estonia-vrakki-luuretegevuseks
German media: MS Estonia being used by Russia for training, possible espionage
Yle | Estonian World | Newsweek
“An investigation by three German media outlets has found evidence that technical devices were placed at the wreck of the cruise ship, which could be used to monitor other maritime traffic. … Such devices could record identifiable features of Nato warships and submarines, such as the sounds of their propellers.”
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https://kaupokalda.com/teemad/raba/kaupokalda-com-20230422-111346-dji-0574-kakerdaja-raba
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Estonia is cashing in on the threat from next door
By Lara Jakes
New York Times (gift article)
“Estonia’s tech-savvy work force is developing new weapons and defense systems.”
Estonia wants its language on the Duolingo app
ERR
“By adding Estonian, Duolingo would help promote cultural exchange and support a nation that has shaped global standards in digital innovation and education,” Deputy Secretary General for Language Policy Kairi Kaldoja said.”
https://news.err.ee/1609837476/estonia-wants-its-tiny-but-mighty-language-on-duolingo
“Haridus- ja teadusministeerium sooviks eesti keele õpet populaarsesse rakendusse Duolingo.”
Postimees
Duolingo App Per Google AI
(unverified)
[People have stopped using Duolingo due to a perceived drop in quality from its shift to an "AI-first" strategy, which has led to less effective and more repetitive lessons, as well as a focus on monetization that makes the free version frustrating.]
Elections in Estonia : Well-organised and transparent
Council of Europe
“A 16-member election observation delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, led by Jana Fischerova (Czechia, ECR), concluded yesterday its mission to observe the local elections on Sunday 19 October 2025. This was the first time the Congress observed elections in Estonia.”
—
“On election day, seven Congress teams visited over 75 polling stations throughout the country from opening to closing and counting. Overall, the delegation observed a calm, professional and well-managed election day, in line with European electoral standards, with no major incidents or anomalies despite high numbers of voters. Procedures were simple and applied uniformly by well-trained polling station officials. However, consideration could be given to reinforce the accessibility of polling stations and to further ensure secrecy of the vote by standardising their layout.”
Estonia's local elections 2025: winners and losers
ERR
“On Monday, the winners and losers of Estonia's local elections become clear. Party leaders say it is now time for analysis. Isamaa was the biggest winner taking home 18.6 percent of the vote, compared to 10.2 % four years ago. The Social Democrats doubled its share from 4.9 % in 2021 to 9.9 % while non-parliamentay party Parempoolsed participated winning 4.7 %. Center support dropped from 24.4 percent to 21.1 percent but the loss was significantly smaller than analysts had predicted until recently.”
—
“Government parties Reform and Eesti 200, and opposition EKRE party were the biggest losers at Sunday's election, "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.”
https://news.err.ee/1609835247/estonia-s-local-elections-2025-winners-and-losers
“Eesti kohalike valimiste võitjad on Keskerakond ja Isamaa, kaotajateks Reform, Eesti 200 ja EKRE.”
Estonian World Review
“Estonia’s local elections redraw power lines in Tallinn and beyond.”
Estonian World
TVP
“Russian citizens banned from voting in Estonian elections.”
Deutsche Welle
“Editorial: Estonia’s Social Democrats risk legitimising neo-Nazi symbolism in Pärnu.”
Estonian World
“EKRE requested local election e-vote recount.”
ERR
Droonilennu baaskoolitused müüdi läbi vähem kui 15 minutiga
Postimees
“HK Unicorn Squad MTÜ asutaja Taavi Kotka teatas sotsiaalmeedias, et kahe ürituse piletid kadusid kiiresti ning kokku on registreerunud üle 2500 huvilise. Esimesed 18-liikmelised koolitusgrupid alustavad 1. ja 2. novembril.”
Transcript: Alar Karis’ speech at Yale University
Office of the Estonian President
“Being small, also great.”
https://president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/57615
“President Karis Yale’i ülikoolis: aeg on tuua põhimõtted taas esiplaanile.”
Vabariigi Presidendi Kantselei
Estonia resumes package deliveries to the U.S.
ERR | BNN
“Omniva will soon fully resume package deliveries to the United States with gifts worth up to $100 and expanding to all packages by early November.”
https://news.err.ee/1609835328/estonia-to-resume-us-package-deliveries-in-stages-starting-tuesday
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https://bnn-news.com/estonia-resumes-parcel-delivery-to-us-273330
Allied forces are adapting to Estonian terrain
ERR
“NATO's Bold Panzer military training exercises are now into their third week and are set to conclude on Thursday, October 23. According to the commander of Estonia's 1st Infantry Brigade, their key task is to fine-tune coordination with the newly arrived allied units.”
Detour around the ‘Small’ Saatse Boot is complete
ERR
“The construction of a road around the "Small Boot" near Saatse in southeastern Estonia started on Friday and ended on Tuesday. It was closed to "ensure the safety of Estonian residents" after an armed unit was spotted on the road – known as the "Big Boot" – used by Estonians and others that runs through Russian territory earlier this month.”
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“A gravel road has been built alongside the existing road, running entirely within Estonian territory. Barriers and temporary fencing have been installed at the entrance to the Small Boot area. The Big Boot crossing is already closed, and an alternative detour is available via Värska, Treski, Matsuri, and Sesniki," the Police and Border Guard Board wrote on Facebook.”
https://news.err.ee/1609837203/small-saatse-boot-detour-around-russian-territory-complete
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“Teet Kalmus: lootust sõjategevuse peatamiseks on praegu vähe.”
Estonian World Review
“Estonia to purchase South Korean K239 Chunmoo MRLs.”
Janes
“Eesti plaanib hankida HIMARS-itele lisaks Lõuna-Korea raketiheitjaid.”
ERR
“Estonia plans to open embassy in Azerbaijan.”
The Baltic Times
“Transpordiamet tühistas Saatse saapa keskkonnamõjude hindamise, tee valmib aasta pärast.”
Postimees
“Eesti Pank: meie pankade kasumlikkus on rahvusvahelises võrdluses üsna tugev.”
ERR
“Harjumaal kadunud mees leiti tapetuna, kahtlustatavatena peeti kinni kolm alaealist.”
Postimees
“Tallinki üheksa kuu kasum langes ligi 90%.”
ERR
“Päästeamet testib järgmisel nädalal taas ohusireene.”
Postimees
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Around the Baltic Sea
Russian aircraft crossed into Lithuanian airspace
Politico Europe | Meduza
“A Russian fighter jet and a refueling tanker briefly crossed into Lithuanian airspace from the Kaliningrad region on Thursday evening … The planes, which were likely conducting mid-air refueling training, penetrated about 700 meters into Lithuanian territory near the south-western town Kybartai and remained there for roughly 18 seconds before turning back.”
—
“In response, two Spanish Air Force jets deployed under NATO’s Baltic Air policing mission were scrambled to intercept and subsequently remained in the air to patrol the area.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/russian-aircraft-debate-defense-brussels-lithuania-armed-forces/
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“Vene sõjalennukid tungisid Leedu õhuruumi.”
Lõunaeestlane
“Lithuania's main airport shut after balloon sightings.”
Deutsche Welle
Uuring: soojem kliima võib peatada Balti turbamaade kasvu
Novaator
“Baltikumi sood võivad kliima soojenemise tõttu muutuda olulistest süsinikuhoidlatest hoopis heiteallikaks. Soojemates tingimustes peatub turba ladestumine ja sood võivad hakata süsinikku kaotama, kirjutavad Läti ja Eesti teadlased värskes uuringus.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609837347/uuring-soojem-kliima-voib-peatada-balti-turbamaade-kasvu
“Climate change impact on peatland dynamics.”
Science Direct
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“Latvia has seen a trend of increasing deforestation.”
LSM
“Latvian NAF commander explains Russia’s tactic.”
BNN
“EU approves 2028 deadline to ban Russian gas imports.”
Helsinki Times
“Baltic countries are not among most prone to cyber-attacks.”
Baltic Times
“Sweden to lead NATO in challenging Arctic region.”
Radio Sweden
“Lithuania’s defense minister Dovilė Šakalienė to resign after prime minister loses trust in her.”
Politico Europe
“Latvia gives neo-pagan faith same status and rights as other religions in that country.”
By Paul Goble
“Norway is undertaking a once-in-a-generation military modernisation.”
Nordic Defense
“Two UH-60M Black Hawks delivered to Lithuania.”
The Aviationist
“Sweden agrees to sell 100-150 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.”
The Helsinki Times
“Nordic countries to jointly buy unmanned aircraft.”
Daily Finland
“Lithuania downgraded Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s security.”
Jamestown Org.
“Sweden’s A26 Submarine Programme Faces New Delays.”
Naval News
“Polish authorities uncover 30-meter illegal tunnel from Belarus.”
Radio Poland
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Putin’s Faltering War
Ukraine Hits Back at Russia’s Economy
The National Interest
“Russia’s economy is finally starting to take a hit, after years of insulation from the effects of Vladimir Putin’s war.”
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/ukraine-hits-back-russia-economy
Stories from St. Petersburg nearly 4 years into war
The Moscow Times
“Though the front lines are hundreds of miles away, drones occasionally fly overhead, airports shut down without warning and military recruitment ads are plastered over bus stops.”
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“The Moscow Times spoke to five residents of Russia’s second-largest city about how the war has transformed their everyday lives. Their surnames have been withheld to protect their identities.”
Finland to Trump: Let Zelenskyy hit Russia with Tomahawks
Politico Europe, 23.October
“Donald Trump should allow Ukraine to use America’s long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said. Orpo warned that Russia represents a ‘permanent threat’ to Europe and urged the U.S. president to grant Ukraine the weapons it needs to defend itself and bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.”
—
“Orpo’s comments came as Trump announced sweeping sanctions on Russian state-owned oil firms, in the most significant step he has taken as president to put pressure on Putin over the Ukraine war.”
Here's Why Putin Is Fixated On Ukraine's Donbas
RFERL
“The Donbas, Ukraine's industrial heartland, has been a focal point of Russian aggression due to its economic and historic significance, with parts under Russian control since 2014.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-donbas-donetsk-war-putin/33564948.html
“Whether Vladimir Putin realises it or not, Russia has no path to victory in Ukraine.”
Novaya Gazeta
“Putin continues to choose violence and destruction.”
Yle
“Kyiv is preparing for another difficult winter.”
Novaya Gazeta
“Vene komandör andis käsu tsiviilisikud maha lasta.”
Postimees
“Russia Is Now Launching Jet-Powered Glide Bombs At Ukraine.”
TWZ
“The Closest Footage of Russia’s Geran Drone Hitting Ukraine.”
The Baltic Sentinel
“I took a Russian passport to live.”
Meduza
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