Mõis on Eesti identiteedi ja ajaloo peegel
Andres Reimann
(Novaator)
“Nii rahvusliku ärkamise kui Nõukogude ajal tõlgendati mõisa rõhumise sümbolina. Alates Eesti taasiseseisvumisest on uurijad järjest rohkem rõhutanud eesti ja baltisaksa kultuuri vastastikust põimumist.”
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“19.–20. sajandi vahetusel kompenseeris sakslaste jaoks kaugete asumaade puudumist juba keskajal vallutatud Eesti- ja Liivimaa kujutamine nende ‘kuulsusrikka koloniaalajaloona’.”
—
“Eesti tuntumad mõisad on sageli rekonstruktsioonid -- välja on valitud ja taastatud mingi konkreetne ajahetk hoone minevikust, teisi ajalookihistusi eirates. See on loonud teatud ühetaolisuse illusiooni.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609655249/moisauurijad-mois-on-eesti-identiteedi-ja-ajaloo-peegel
“The manor as a mirror of Estonian identity and history.” - Novaator
Suvisel tantsupeol osaleb rekordilised 10,972 tantsijat
(Delfi)
“Nimekiri: vaata, kas sinu Eesti kodukandi rühmal õnnestus peole saada.”
—
“Seekordne piirkondade põhine pidu seab fookusesse paikkondliku identiteedi. Selline piirkondlik lähenemine on võrreldes varasemaga võimaldanud kaasata Eesti eri paigust rohkem tantsijaid kui kunagi varem.”
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“Tänavuse tantsupeo ülesehitus on varasematest erinev – väljakul ei ole ainult traditsioonilisi liike, vaid iga piirkond kannab tantsudena ette oma paikkonna tavad ja traditsioonid. XXI tantsupeo „Iseoma“ pealavastaja Helena-Mariana Reimanni sõnul jutustab tantsupidu lugu suguvõsa kokkutuleku teekonnast, kus igal piirkonnal on rääkida iseoma lugu. „Minu nägemuses tuleb sellest üks lustlik ja rõõmus pidu, kus igaüks leiab äratundmisrõõmu. Olen tänulik iga piirkonna tantsujuhtidele, kes on teinud suurepärast tööd ning välja toonud oma paikkonna tavad ja traditsioonid, tantsud, laulud, mängud ja pilliloodki. Samuti olen südamest tänulik kõigile tantsujuhtidele ja tantsijatele, kes meiega selle pika maratoni on kaasa teinud. Olles näinud kõikide piirkondade tantse, võin kinnitada, et piirkonnad on tõesti omanäolised ning tuleb vaatemänguline pidu.“
Estonian Navy detains ‘shadow fleet’ tanker bound for Russia near Tallinn
(Postimees | Politico | Euronews)
“… while it was en route to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.”
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“Cmdr. Ivo Värk, commander of the Estonian Navy, said that the vessel was stopped to verify its documents and legal status. ‘During a routine inspection, there was reason to suspect the ship lacked a flag state and valid insurance. The vessel is also subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland,’ Värk said.”
—
https://www.politico.eu/article/estonia-seize-russia-shadow-tanker-baltic-sea/
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“Eesti merevägi pidas kinni Vene varilaevastiku laeva.” - ERR
“Michal: eesmärk ongi anda sõnum ja kontrollida varilaevastiku laevu.” - ERR
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Rahvale miljonitrahvid kaela toovad ametnikud naudivad karistamatust
Ülle Harju, ajakirjanik
(Postimees arvamus)
“Trahvi toova CO₂ heite tegelik põhjus on vastupidine sellele, mida tahetakse panna rahvast uskuma.”
The Estonian people will be expected to pay a carbon ‘fine’ of millions of euros
By Ülle Harju
(Postimees opinion)
“The ‘fine’ would come in the form of a forced purchase of emission allowances in the land use sector (LULUCF), which includes forestry, agriculture, peat production, etc. A carefully composed myth has been created to deceive the public - that Brussels has imposed an unfair carbon reduction system on Estonia and that spineless ministers foolishly bowed before the EU and took on overly ambitious commitments. To save what can still be saved, we are told, logging must be rapidly increased because Estonian forests are supposedly too old due to ‘historical baggage’ and incapable of absorbing carbon.”
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“The actual cause of the CO₂ emissions leading to a fine is the opposite: rampant overlogging, which has resulted in Estonian forests being on average younger than ever before. We will have to pay not only for the increased carbon emissions caused by overlogging, but, absurdly, also for covering up the problem.”
Codex of Türi: Study traces origins of Estonia's oldest dated manuscript covers
By Sandee Oster
(Phys Org.)
“A recent study by Dr. Alar Läänelaid and his colleagues has provided new insights into the creation of the oldest dated manuscript in Estonia. The study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage set out to determine the age and origin of the wooden covers used to bind the 15th-century codex.”
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“The Gothic-style manuscript, bound by two oak boards, first came into the hands of conservators in 2021. The centuries-old manuscript, nicknamed the Codex of Türi, was completed in 1454 in the then-parish church village of Türi. Soon after it was written, it made its way into the possession of the Dominican friary in Tallinn, as indicated by an inscription found in the manuscript reading "Iste liber pertinet conuentui Reualiensi," literally translating to "This book belongs to the convent of Reualiens.”
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“The friary was dissolved in 1525 following the Lutheran Reformation in Tallinn, after which the codex fell into "disuse" in the Tallinn archives.”
https://phys.org/news/2025-04-codex-tri-estonia-oldest-dated.html
Kuremäe kloostri nunnad paluvad presidendil kirikute seadus välja kuulutamata jätta
Alexandra Saarniit
(Postimees)
“Vastuvõetud muudatused sunnivad meid katkestama kanoonilised sidemed Moskva patriarhaadiga, kuna meie ühtsust emakirikuga hakatakse käsitlema Eesti Vabariigis seaduse rikkumisena. Me pöördume teie kui seaduseloome viimase etapi põhiseaduslikkuse tagaja poole. Põhiseaduse paragrahv 107 annab teile õiguse panna seadusele veto ja keelduda selle väljakuulutamisest,” kirjutas iguumenja Filareta palvekirjas presidendile.”
“Ban on Moscow ties threatens ‘rights of believers’, says Estonian Church.” - International Catholic News Weekly
“Russia criticizes Estonia's church foreign influence law.” - ERR
“Estonia passes law targeting Moscow-linked church ties.” - Kyiv Independent
“Venemaa kritiseeris Eesti kirikute seaduse muudatusi.” - Postimees
“Estonia tightens church law to curb foreign influence.” - ERR
“Piiskop Daniel: peale ühiskonna lõhestamise see seadus midagi kaasa ei too.” - Postimees
Estonia’s Gun owners propose amendments to Estonia's Weapons Act
By Hanneli Rudi
(ERR)
“Attorney Aku Sorainen has put together an extensive package of proposed amendments to Estonia's Weapons Act, drawing on conversations with nearly 100 individuals and participating in public consultations organized by the Ministry of the Interior.”
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“National defense in Estonia matters deeply to me," said Aku Sorainen, a Finnish reserve second lieutenant. "Right now, we're in a somewhat difficult situation, and we haven't fully grasped what broad-based national defense actually means in Estonia.”
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“There are also plans to expand eligibility for applying for a national defense designation — currently available only to reserve officers and members of the Estonian Defense League. That designation allows someone to own high-capacity magazines, which are otherwise prohibited for ordinary citizens.”
https://news.err.ee/1609651406/estonian-gun-owners-say-weapons-act-is-outdated
The Ukraine war is creating an identity crisis for Estonia’s Russian community
(NZZ - Switzerland)
“For the first 14 years of her life, Arina Sljusar knew who she was. Sljusar was born in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, but she spoke Russian at home. Her grandparents watched Russian state-controlled TV, the family celebrated May 9 as Victory Day, and Sljusar herself confidently believed that the Soviet army had liberated Estonia during World War II.”
—
“When asked about her background, her answer was clear: She was a Russian in Estonia. But in February 2022, her worldview was badly shaken. That was the month that Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops invaded Ukraine. The same year, Sljusar learned for the first time in her history class that the supposed liberation by the Soviets had in fact been an occupation in which thousands of people were killed. ‘I was plunged into an identity crisis,’ she says. ‘I no longer knew who I was. A Russian? An Estonian? And more than anything - are people like me to blame for this war?”
https://www.nzz.ch/english/ukraine-war-fuels-identity-crises-among-baltic-russians-ld.1877128
Estonia's volunteer Defense League creates first cavalry unit since 1991
(ERR)
“A group of Defense League (Kaitseliit) members in South Estonia, who are also horse riding enthusiasts, have formed the first cavalry unit set up for national defense since the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991.”
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“Cavalry played a role in the 1918–1920 Estonian War of Independence, notably with a regiment created by general Johan Laidoner. Col. Eero Rebo, commander of the Defense League's general staff, said: "If you look at the Battle of Suur Munamägi or likely one of Estonia's most successful operations during the War of Independence — the Mariemburg Operation, which cut the Latvian Reds off from Russia — the Estonian cavalry played a very important role in all of these."
Eastern Europe Wants to Build an AI ‘Drone Wall’ to Keep Out Russia
(Gizmodo - 4. April)
“The proposed system would use AI connected surveillance systems to identify threats and take them down. … Rene Ehasalu, the Cluster Manager for the Estonian Defense Industry Association, told Gizmodo that cooperation is key. “We want this to be an international project. The situation in Europe has changed in the past few years and even the past few months. We don’t see that it’s getting better and we need to be prepared. If we show collective force…then we can put a stop on this kind of aggression.
—
”Drones are cheap and effective and Russia is planning to build thousands of them. A new factory in Belarus, a Russian ally nestled among the Eastern European countries looking to deter Russia, has a new factory it says will build 100,000 drones in 2025. “Mass beats quality,” Ehasalu said. “It’s not feasible to use millions [of dollars] worth of rockets to take down drones. You need some clever systems to track them and take them down.””
https://gizmodo.com/eastern-europe-wants-to-build-a-drone-wall-to-keep-out-russia-2000585247
“EU funding rejection won't affect Estonia's drone wall plans.” - ERR
“Eesti kaitsetööstusele mõeldud toetusmeetmes Ukrainale paistavad domineerivat Hiina droonid.” - Postimees
“Baltic states were denied EU funding for 'drone wall' to protect border.” - LRT
‘We cook the bear in a kind of stew,’ said the waiter in Tallinn. ‘It’s very good’
By Rosita Boland
(The Irish Times)
“The first time I saw bear on the menu in Tallinn, I thought it was a joke. It was not. The Olde Hansa restaurant, a kind of candlelit Bunratty with servers in medieval costume, offered “King of the Forest, the bear, served with saffron sauce and the best side dishes of the Grand Chef” for €68 a portion. ‘We cull bear here,’ the waiter told me. ‘There are too many bears. They are coming out of the forest and into the towns. We cook it in a kind of stew. It’s very good.” I did not try the bear in saffron sauce, and now I regret it, for how often do you see the ursine creature on a menu?”
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“Estonia is set to transfer 10,000 155mm artillery shells and 750,000 food rations to Ukraine.” - Ukrinform
“Estonian pension funds in the red after U.S. President’s tariff war.” - ERR
“Estonian ForMin refutes Russia’s allegations of damage to war graves.” - Postimees
“Fact Check: NATO troops in Estonia for 2025 Independence Day, not military escalation.” - Reuters
“Pevkur: 9. mai kannustab venelasi rünnakuid intensiivistama.” - Postimees
“Uus valitsus pole siiani selgitanud plaane teedeehituses.” - ERR
““Estonia raises concerns about a US-Russia deal by May 9.” - UNN
“Brüsselis vaagitakse Balti riikide sõdurite osalust Ukraina rahuvalvemissioonis.” - Postimees
“Construction of new US embassy in Tallinn to start in 2027." - ERR
“Russian Foreign Ministry announced a demarche of Estonia.” - EA Daily
“Estonia Limits Voting Rights For Russian Minority.” - Barrons
“Estonian sailors complete the Oyster World Rally, a prestigious round-the-world regatta.” - ERR
“Estonia Plans Air Defense Purchase for Russian Ballistic Missile Threat.” - The Defense Post
“Narva prepares for potential Russian invasion.” - France24 video report
“Major farms in Estonia closed to visitors due to foot-and-mouth disease fears.” - ERR
“Rail Baltica project route confirmed for Pärnumaa section.” - Baltic Times
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Around the Baltic Sea
Pentagon considering proposal to withdraw some U.S. troops from Europe
(NBC News)
"According to reports, senior officials of the U.S. Department of Defense are considering a proposal to withdraw up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe, which raises concerns on both continents that this will embolden Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The units under consideration are part of the 20,000 that the Biden administration deployed in 2022 to strengthen the defense of countries bordering Ukraine after the Russian invasion.”
“NBC News: Pentagon kaalub Ida-Euroopast tuhandete sõdurite väljaviimist.” - Postimees
Europe needs a roadmap from the U.S. on any troop pullout
(Politico Europe | UNN)
“We need to have some sort of joint plan with (the) Americans about a roadmap if the Americans are shifting the balance in the Pacific area in conventional defense capabilities,” said Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. … Häkkänen's comments echo those of German Defense Boris Pistorius, who last month asked U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth to “develop a roadmap to avoid gaps in capabilities, organize burden sharing progressively, to know who does what” in case the U.S shifts forces from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.”
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The Labyrinth of European Rearmament
By Harrison Stetler
(The Nation)
“The European Union’s rush to increase military spending is as much about appeasing Washington as achieving actual strategic autonomy. … Since January, the U.S. president has rapidly escalated his criticism of the United States’ traditional allies in the EU all while opening negotiations with Moscow, over the heads of EU capitals and Kiev. By the time the Jeffrey Goldberg leaks dropped, showing top brass of the Trump administration privately mocking European dependency—“It’s PATHETIC,” wrote Pentagon chief Pete Hegeseth—there was little that EU elites should not have already known. And the message, it seems, is landing. The European Union and key member states are laying the groundwork for a surge in the bloc’s military expenditures.”
https://www.thenation.com/article/world/european-union-alliances-military-spending/
We all live on NATO’s eastern flank
(Radio Poland)
“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told a press conference that he had heard claims about NATO becoming a two-speed alliance, with countries on the eastern flank, such as Poland and the Baltic states, rapidly increasing their defence spending, and southern European countries dragging their feet.”
—
"Indeed, if you look at Poland and the three Baltic states, their military spending is close to or has already exceeded 4 % of GDP, and is approaching 5 %,” he said, adding that he did not like the less-engaged countries' approach. "I keep repeating that today we all live on the eastern flank. The only difference between Vilnius, Rome or London is how long it would take for the Russian missiles to reach them. And for any European capital, it is a maximum of 10 minutes.”
Latvia: In case of war, Rail Baltic could evacuate 98,000 people daily
(BNN)
“According to MoT estimates, in a military conflict, Rail Baltica would have the capacity to evacuate up to 98,000 civilians per day and transport up to 55,000 tons of cargo per day. … a ramp for unloading military cargo is planned at the Iecava terminal. This would be the first unloading point for trains arriving from Poland. From there, the cargo could be transported to its final destination.”
https://bnn-news.com/in-case-of-war-rail-baltica-could-evacuate-100000-people-daily-says-ministry-of-transport-266754
Joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad Military Exercises are Scheduled for Fall of 2025 Along NATO’s Eastern Border
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“Military officials anticipate an uptick in disinformation associated with this year's Russian-Belarusian joint exercises. Scheduled for September, the Zapad exercises have been held biennially since 2009. Officially, the drills aim to practice joint defensive and offensive operations, enhance interoperability between armed forces, and test military readiness …”
“NATO ready to respond during Zapad drills if needed – Lithuanian MFA.” - LRT
“Lukashenko revealed details of Belarusian-Russian army exercise Zapad 2025.” - Belta
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“How does Latvia plan to protect people in the event of war?” - BNN
“Lithuania's military is in urgent need of a new, larger training area.” - LRT
“Poland and the Baltic states are determined that the threat posed by Russia never be forgotten.” - Novaya Gazeta
“Latvia, Lithuania, Germany plan new Baltic energy link.” - LSM
“Shortage of dentists in northern Sweden forces adult patients to travel 400 kilometres to Stockholm.” - Radio Sweeden
“Finland considers extending controversial "pushback" border law.” - Yle
“As US tariffs come into force, Lithuanian FM says EU should prepare response as warning.” - LRT
“Opinion: The return of landmines: a deadly peril resurges.” - The Guardian
“Finland’s planned exit from landmine ban draws sharp criticism from Amnesty.” - Helsinki Times
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Putin’s Forever War
Putin’s Russia: ’an Empire on Autopilot’
By Paul Goble
“… whose fragmentation must be overcome or whose disintegration is inevitable, a Siberian activist says. In an anonymous article for the Tallinn-based Region.Expert portal, a writer who describes herself as “a Pomor Siberian Woman” says that the two Russias, one in Moscow and the rest beyond the ring road, now are at “a socio-political divide” with neither seeking to unite with the other. The Siberian activist points out that poor regions are fed by budget injections, military orders and promises of development. But these are not investments – they are rations and a form of pacification. And a temporary one at that” as they are not about growth but only a delay in decay.”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/04/putins-russia-now-empire-on-autopilot.html
Can We Expect an Awakening of Public Domestic Politics in Russia?
By Ksenia Smolyakova
(Riddle)
“The author analyzes the rise in regional and local public conflicts at the start of a major electoral cycle.”
https://ridl.io/can-we-expect-an-awakening-of-public-domestic-politics-in-russia/
Allies pledge €21B in weapons for Ukraine and denounces Russian attacks
(Politico Europe)
“Peace in Ukraine is “out of reach in the immediate future,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned Friday as allies pledged a record €21 billion in new military aid to Kyiv. Pistorius said that “Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting, and we will support it,” after a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — a format that organizes military aid for Kyiv.
The record pledge of military assistance includes £4.5 billion which the U.K. has committed for this year, as well as a further €11 billion from Germany.”
—
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-ukraine-allies-hold-talks-to-secure-a-non-existent-peace/
Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have fled the war. Russian military courts have handed down mass sentences
(The Barents Observer)
"In Russian criminal law, military refusal to serve is divided into several categories. Unauthorized abandonment of a unit (Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) is when a serviceman leaves his place of service without permission, but without the clear intention to completely evade service.”
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“Desertion (Article 338) is a more serious crime: a conscious and final departure with the intent not to return. Sometimes the investigation starts the case as desertion, but courts often reclassify it as unauthorized absence — especially if the serviceman returns voluntarily.”
—
“Faking illness (Article 339) is another way of evasion, where a serviceman tries to avoid service by pretending to have health problems. However, cases under this article are not initiated very often.”
—
“… desertion carries up to 15 years, unauthorised absence up to 10, and faking illness also up to 10 years.”
Georgia cannot act like Estonia—‘we're not in NATO, Russian threat still close’
(1tv)
“Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, Nikoloz Samkharadze, who is attending the 150th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, met with a delegation from the French Senate as well as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swiss Parliament.”
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“I asked the French authorities to understand that Georgia cannot act like Estonia, they are NATO members, and we are not. We have Russian troops stationed just 35 kilometers from our capital, and we lack both security guarantees and economic solidarity. France should take this reality into account, not only when discussing EU integration, but also in the context of bilateral relations,” Samkharadze said."
Hockey celebrates Alexander Ovechkin’s achievement, but Putin is the real winner
(Kyiv Independent)
“To the Kremlin, athletes like Ovechkin aren’t merely entertainers — they are instruments of soft power.”
https://kyivindependent.com/hockey-celebrates-ovechkin-but-putin-is-the-real-winner/
“Aleksandr Ovetškin – NHLi ajaloo parim mängumees või hoopis suurim häbiplekk?” - Postimees
“Kremlin Claims Ovechkin’s NHL Goal Record as Propaganda Victory.” - The Moscow Times
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“Kaitseväe luure: Ukraina relvajõud on endiselt väikesel maa-alal Kurskis.” - ERR
“On the battlefield in Ukraine, Russia still holds the initiative.” - BNN
“Russia’s social media ads aim to recruit Chinese mercenaries.” - Guardian
“Belarusian opposition figure Angelika Melnikova is missing.” - Meduza
“'They do not surrender': Ukraine commander details fight with North Koreans in Russia.” - ABCNews
“U.S. switches off satellite transmission of Radio Free Europe to Russia and Ukraine.” - Novaya Gazeta
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Hungary is on Putin's team
(Kyiv Independent | TVP)
“Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Hungary is on "Putin's team" in an interview with German outlet Rheinische Post, published on April 5. "To be divided, you would need two major parties. We have Hungary, a very weak country, that's on Putin's team. Not on our European team," Tsahkna said.”
—
“Stripping Hungary of its voting power in the EU "is getting closer and closer," Tsahkna said. "Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union provides for the possibility of withdrawing a member state's voting rights if (its) membership endangers the security of Europe and that of the other members.... That's exactly what Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is doing," Tsahkna said. Hungary has opposed EU sanctions on Russia and has opposed EU aid for Ukraine.”
https://kyivindependent.com/hungary-is-on-putins-team-estonian-fm-says/
—
https://tvpworld.com/86030055/hungary-is-on-putins-team-over-ukraine-war-support-estonian-fm-says
They fled Putin’s Russia for the US. After U.S. detention, they’re fleeing again
(The Guardian)
“Sergei and Marina escaped Russia three years ago under threat of arrest after protesting against the Ukraine war, seeking asylum in the US. Now their best chance of remaining together, as a family, is to flee again. In a whirlwind 3 weeks, the couple’s plans to rebuild their lives in the U.S. were abruptly upended.”
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“On 27 March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) called Sergei to the agency’s San Francisco office for a seemingly routine administrative appointment – and arrested him. They transferred him to a detention center 250 miles (400km) away from his family, and cut off his asylum claim. He could reapply, but he’d have to remain in detention indefinitely, and risk being deported to a country that has brutally cracked down on anti-war protesters. So Sergei and Marina are asking the US government to let them leave, along with their two-year-old daughter, on their own terms.”
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“It’s kind of crazy, because we have to start life from point zero once again,” she said. “But it’s much better than being separated, or worse.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/us-immigration-putin-russia-ice
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