Baltic States are ready to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid
(LSM - 6. Jan.)
“In February, the Baltic energy systems, operated by Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) of Latvia, Litgrid of Lithuania and Elering of Estonia will be disconnected from the Russian energy system, known as the BRELL network, and will join the continental European energy system. … the BRELL contract for the operation of the Baltic power systems on the Russian-controlled IPS/UPS grid will expire on February 7, 2025. On February 8, 2025, the Baltic operators will disconnect the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian grids from the IPS/UPS network, cutting the connection to the Russian grid.”
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“This will be followed by an isolated operation test of the Baltic power system. After the test is completed, on February 9 2025, the Baltic power system plans to connect synchronously to the continental European power system. The synchronization will take place via the Lithuanian-Polish 400 kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission line.”
“Lithuania ramps up grid security ahead of Russia decoupling.” - Euronews
“The Baltic countries notified Russia and Belarus they will exit the Moscow-controlled electricity grid.” - AP- July 16, 2024
Põlevkivijaamad päästavad taas: Eesti ühendab ennast Venemaast lahti
(Postimees)
“Eesti energeetikal seisavad ees lähiajaloo kõige kriitilisemad nädalad. Ja kuud. Tõenäoliselt ka aastad. Nullpäevad, mille ümber kogu Eesti energeetikavaldkond hetkel orienteerunud, on 8. ja 9. veebruar, kui Balti elektrisüsteem ühendatakse Venemaast lahti ja pärast saartalitluskatset ühendatakse Mandri-Euroopa sagedusalaga.”
After Balticconnector incident, Estonia buried its head in the sand
Opinion by Meelis Oidsalu, Postimees
“Estonia's behavior before the Estlink 2 incident, and after the Balticconnector incident, seems more sluggish compared to that of the Finnish government. The Finns were significantly better prepared not only technically but also politically.”
“Estonia backs power plant funding amid Baltic Sea cable outage.” - Politico
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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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President Arnold Rüütel saadetakse laupäeval viimsele teekonnale
(Postimees)
“31. detsembril jõudis avalikkuse ette kurb teade. 96 aasta vanusena suri president Arnold Rüütel. Poolteist tundi varem oli see teade jõudnud presidendi kantseleisse ja kohe algasid ka matuse ettevalmistustööd. Juhtnööre, kuidas tema viimane teekond välja peaks nägema, Rüütel ei jätnud. Muidugi küsiti perekonnalt soove, kuid paljuski võeti eeskuju president Lennart Meri riiklikest matustest.”
Tallinn Set to Demand Moscow Church in Estonia Break All Ties with ROC MP
By Paul Goble
“The Estonian interior ministry says Tallinn is preparing a new law for consideration next month that will require the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate break all ties within two months with the ROC MP or face liquidation by court action. The law will be cast as a ban on the activity in Estonia of any church which is connected with organizations which support military aggression and the use of force, as the Moscow Patriarchate does in Ukraine.”
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/01/tallinn-set-to-demand-moscow-church-in.html
Forecast 2025: How will the future of Russia and NATO affect Estonia?
(Postimees | Julgeolek täna)
“Without a doubt, Russia's hybrid attacks will continue in Europe, the world, and definitely in Estonia in 2025. The problems related to critical infrastructure protection in the Gulf of Finland will not subside. Physical guarding is not a very useful activity, as it cannot be done along the entire length of the infrastructure. While we definitely also need external connections in energy, the creation of sufficient capacities at home has been neglected for years. For some reason, we tend to decide in favor Narva when it comes to building managed generating capacities, which however may not be a very wise thing to do."
Ministry unveils Estonia's defense procurements for 2025-2028
(ERR)
“The Estonian Ministry of Defense's national defense and deterrence program for 2025-2028 provides a detailed overview of upcoming defense sector investments. The primary procurement priorities for 2025 include HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, medium-range air defense systems, armored vehicles for maneuver units and wheeled self-propelled howitzers. Between 2025 and 2028, Estonia will procure €2.2 billion worth of munitions, with commitments already made through contracts totaling €1.1 billion.”
https://news.err.ee/1609569415/ministry-unveils-estonia-s-defense-procurements-for-the-coming-years
“Estonia strengthening defense with new systems, but experts warn of gaps.” - ERR
“Interview: Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.” - The Kyiv Independent
“Minister of Justice Liisa Pakosta: Viru Prison could be needed for prisoners of war.” - ERR
“Estonian robots support Ukrainian troops in combat.” - Defense Blog
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“Estonia Inflation Rises To 3.9%.” - Business Insider
“Bank of Estonia forecasts inflation to pick up again.” - ERR
“Narva Becomes Cultural Capital of Finno-Ugric World and Gives that Title New and Expanded Meaning.” - Paul Goble
“Estonia’s language and culture are becoming battlegrounds.” - Conversation
“Eestis elav välismaalane: ma ei soovita kellelegi, kes ei tööta IT-sektoris, Eestisse üldse tullagi.” - Postimees
“Expat: I don't recommend anyone not working in tech sector relocate to Estonia.” - ERR
“Living in Tallinn is more expensive than Tokyo or Barcelona.” - Estonian World
“Twin sisters' citizenship becomes bureaucratic curiosity in Estonia.” - ERR
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Around the Baltic Sea
NATO Defense Ministers discuss increase in spending to 5% of GDP
(RFERL)
“During a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the ministers said that the ability of NATO members to fulfill defense tasks is more important than spending relative to GDP.”
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"All the numbers and percentages don't help us at all at the moment. Two percent of a strong GDP can be a lot, and three and a half percent of a weak GDP can be very little," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-defense-spending-trump-pistorius-spruds-pevkur/33270627.html
Finland, Estonia to hold Baltic Sea NATO members summit next week
(ERR | LSM)
“… to tackle the security of critical underwater infrastructure and Russia's shadow fleet. Representatives from all countries bordering the Baltic Sea, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen will attend.”
https://news.err.ee/1609570265/finland-estonia-to-hold-baltic-sea-nato-members-summit-next-week
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Russian threat pushes Norway to build bomb shelters for ‘worst-case scenario’
(Politico Europe)
“Norway plans to reintroduce an obligation to build bomb shelters in new buildings, a practice halted in 1998, the Norwegian government announced Friday. “There’s more uncertainty around us. We must take care of the civilian population, in case of a ‘worst-case scenario’ with war or armed attack,” said Norwegian Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.
https://www.politico.eu/article/norway-bomb-shelters-russia-threat-borders-arctic-circle-security/
2024 In Hindsight: Key Defense Developments in the Baltic Region
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“On Oct. 17, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and UK Defense Minister John Healey signed a road map stating that the UK will, in addition to its forward presence battalion battle group stationed in Tapa, assign its 4th Brigade to reinforce Estonia. This brigade will be maintained and developed in a high state of readiness in the UK to support Estonia in the event of a crisis or conflict.”
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“As part of the updated NATO Baltic defense plans and the new deterrence by denial concept, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland are embarking on extensive efforts to physically bolster their border defenses.”
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“Estonian defense industry start-up Frankenburg Technologies announced it will begin testing its self-developed air defense missiles in Ukraine next year.”
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“On Sept. 7, a Russian Shahed attack drone crash-landed in the Gaigalava municipality of the Rezekne region, Latvia. The drone entered Latvian airspace from Belarus and continued uninterrupted until it ran out of fuel, raising concerns about the readiness of Baltic air defenses to protect civilians from sudden aerial threats.”
https://balticsentinel.eu/8156802/2024-in-hindsight-key-defense-developments-in-the-baltic-region
Undersea Infrastructure and
Baltic Naval Cooperation
By Tony Lawrence, ICDS
“The Baltic Sea has clearly not become a NATO lake. The most recent incident of cable damage has highlighted, once again, the vulnerability of undersea energy and communications infrastructure—both in the region, and globally. NATO quickly decided to increase its Baltic presence.”
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“NATO’s deployment will most likely end at some point. If a persistent deterrent naval presence is to be established, the NATO states that surround the Baltic Sea—including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—will need to step forward. However, the land-centric development of the Baltic states’ defence forces has left their navies small and underpowered. Their at-sea capability is limited to a small number of mine warfare vessels and a handful of coastal patrol boats, whose operations are restricted in adverse weather. If Estonia is to play its part, it will need larger warships, perhaps in the 80- to 90-metre range, that can undertake sustained operations in poor conditions.”
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“Even these smaller warships, though, are expensive. Finland’s fleet of four Pohjanmaa corvettes will cost 1.3 billion euros (a 2019 estimate).”
https://icds.ee/en/undersea-infrastructure-and-baltic-naval-cooperation/
“Finland refuses Eagle S permission to operate.” - Yle
“Swedish Navy recovers Eagle S anchor linked to cable damage.” - Helsinki Times
“Eesti kaalub meretaristu kaitseks tsiiviillaevade kasutamist.” - Postimees
“Finnish Police Special Forces Made Maritime History by Seizing Cable-Sabotaging Tanker on Boxing Day.” - Baltic Sentinel
NATO sends a fleet of ships to guard Baltic Sea cables
(Politico Europe | Meduza | Radio Sweden)
“The ships will remain at sea until April and be positioned near energy and data cables to deter any sabotage attempts.”
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“Finland is currently conducting a criminal investigation into the oil tanker Eagle S, part of Moscow’s 'shadow fleet' sanctions-busting flotilla … Estonia launched its own naval operation to protect the Estlink-2 power cable, which sends electricity between Finland and Estonia. “
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Estonian navy patrols the Baltic Sea
(Euronews)
“Maritime officials say at least three Estonian navy ships are part of the patrols by NATO countries … According to one of three Estonian navy ships, the Estonian minehunter EML Sakala, seamen on board the ship were keeping a careful eye using binoculars and cameras on any vessels slowing down suspiciously or suddenly changing course.”
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“The crew plied the grey, icy waters of the Baltic Sea west of Russia on Thursday, logging the names of ships and scouring them for missing anchors or trailing cables. The Sakala alone has approached about 200 vessels in a week at sea.”
“Is Russia's 'shadow fleet' attacking Western infrastructure?” - The Week
“Baltic States and Poland are investing 600 million euros in the protection of energy infrastructure.” - Odessa Journal
“Two telecoms cables connecting Estonia and Finland under the Baltic Sea have been repaired.” - The Moscow Times
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“Kesk-Euroopa kukub putiniseerumise keerisesse, kasvab vastasseis Balti riikidega.” - Postimees
“Lithuania ups power grid security ahead of Russia decoupling.” - Euronews
“Poland Shutters Consulate in Saint Petersburg.” - The Moscow Times
Sweden: “Green transition infrastructure threatens the Sami people’s way of life.” - Foreign Policy
“Minus 38.2 °C temperature recorded in Lapland.” - Daily Finland
“Royal treasures hidden since WW II recovered from Vilnius Cathedral.” - CNN
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Putin’s Forever War
Venemaal inimesi surmasaatmiseks on siiani jagunud
Teet Kalmus, Estonian World Review
“Olukord rinnetel.”
https://www.eesti.ca/teet-kalmus-venemaal-inimesi-surmasaatmiseks-on-siiani-jagunud/article61436
The Ukraine War Cannot End With A Russian Crimea
(National Interest)
“Any just and lasting peace agreement to the Ukraine conflict must account for a Crimea free of Russian occupation for the sake of regional peace and security. Crimea, under Putin’s control, would likely turn the Black Sea into a Russian lake, severing the Caucasus and Central Asia from Europe and directly threatening NATO members Romania and Bulgaria and effectively precluding Baltic-Black Seas connectivity.”
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/ukraine-war-cannot-end-russian-crimea-214327
“Kurt Volker on how Trump plans to end Ukraine war.” - Kyiv Independent
The end of an independent Ukraine is, and always has been, Putin’s goal
By Robert Kagan, The Atlantic
“While foreign-policy commentators spin theories about what kind of deal Putin might accept, how much territory he might demand, and what kind of security guarantees, demilitarized zones, and foreign assistance he might permit, Putin himself has never shown interest in anything short of Ukraine’s complete capitulation…. He wants it all.”
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“It is not at all clear that Putin even seeks the return to normalcy that peace in Ukraine would bring. In December, he increased defense spending to a record $126 billion, 32.5 % of all government spending, to meet the needs of the Ukraine war. Next year, defense spending is projected to reach 40 % of the Russian budget. … Russia looks outwardly like the Russia of the Great Patriotic War, with exuberant nationalism stimulated and the smallest dissent brutally repressed.”
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“Some commentators argue that it would be better to let Ukraine lose quickly because that, at least, would end the suffering. Yet for many millions of Ukrainians, defeat would be just the beginning of their suffering.”
https://youtube.com/shorts/TBHDVKxBTKI?si=7nK6fOEIkRZ3lDMM
“Keeping Ukraine Out of NATO Will Not Advance Peace With Russia.” - Jamestown Org.
“Analysts: A ceasefire benefits Russia, not peace.” - Defense Blog
“How the nonstop blare of Russian state media fuels the war effort—and blurs reality.” - Foreign Policy
“Ending the war in Ukraine may generate almost as big a crisis for the Kremlin as its beginning.” - By Paul Goble
“How Suicide Drones Transformed the Front Lines in Ukraine.” - NYT
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