Pro-Kremlin agitator reportedly tried to set up armed anti-state militia in Estonia
By Andres Einmann
(Postimees)
“Leading member of political party KOOS Aivo Peterson is on trial for treason against the Estonian state.”
—
“According to the prosecutor, Peterson and Dmitri Rootsi, both accused of treason, worked in 2022 on creating a so-called ‘third line’ alongside the political party Koos—namely, a civil defense unit—with Peterson being the main initiator. Based on the prosecution's evidence, these activities began Nov. 2022. … chat messages show that with the full knowledge of Peterson and Rootsi, contact was made with individuals acting in the interests of the Russian Federation, including people associated with Russian military intelligence (GRU), in order to obtain guidance and assistance for establishing the unit.”
—
“… the evidence shows that the planned unit was meant to become an alternative to Estonia’s existing defense and security structures. It was intended to involve individuals with firearm licenses and expand into all municipalities. A Telegram group called ‘Civil Defense’ was created to discuss the formation of the unit.”
—
“Members of the group included Peterson, Rootsi, and leading figures of Koos such as Eduard Fedotov and Julia Smoli.”
“Who is Aivo Peterson, and what is the KOOS party?” - ERR
“Planned 'Self-Defense Unit' in Estonia Supported by Russia.” - Militarnyi
“Pro-Russian Estonian politicians wanted to create their own defence structure with Russia's support.” - Ukrainska Pravda
“Петерсон планировал создать в Эстонии параллельную структуру обороны с помощью ГРУ.” - ERR’s Russian edition
Report: Russia has started using warships to escort shadow fleet tankers
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“Whereas the so-called shadow fleet had previously operated quietly and covertly, the Kremlin has now decided to make a show of force, signaling that it’s prepared to defend its illicit oil trade. … Whether this is merely a temporary show of force or signals a more permanent shift in Russia's activities in the Baltic Sea remains to be seen. Russia's Navy has struggled in the Black Sea, where Ukraine has effectively denied it access. As a result, some of the posturing in the Baltic may be aimed more at domestic audiences …”
Experts: Russia lacks resources to escort all of its shadow fleet vessels
By Vahur Lauri
(ERR)
“Russia lacks both the resources and the economic rationale to escort every single one of its "shadow fleet" oil tankers and other vessels in the Baltic, commander of the Estonian Navy Cdre Ivo Värk said. … though Russia might also use ship protection teams, meaning personnel placed on board a shadow fleet vessel.”
—
"The oil price cap is already so low that these are no longer needed. Sending out theoretical convoys would render Russia's oil sales pointless, as it would consume all profits,” said Security expert Karmo Tüür.”
“Kremlin vows to defend its ships in the Baltic by all legal ways.” - Stars and Stripes
“Russian naval escorts raise stakes in Baltic security stand-off.” - Lloyd’s List
“Finland Reports Russia Has Begun Naval Escorts for Shadow Fleet Tankers.” - The Maritime Executive
The UK backs fast, deployable forces to support Estonia
(UK Defense Journal)
“The UK is stepping up efforts to boost military mobility across Europe, with Defence Minister Luke Pollard citing Exercise Hedgehog as a live demonstration of Britain’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank. Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour MP Mike Tapp asked what steps were being taken with international partners to improve troop movement across Europe. Pollard, the Minister for the Armed Forces, responded: “As we speak, Exercise Hedgehog is currently demonstrating the rapid deployment of the 4th Brigade by road, rail, sea and air to Estonia as part of NATO’s forward land force, with nearly 2,000 British service personnel in addition to those already permanently deployed to Estonia.”
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-backs-troop-mobility-push-to-support-estonia/
______________
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
Cover:
https://politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/295909
EstoNews On-Line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
EstoNews Dropbox Archive:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1kvd04gtar6ty2b/AADCUK2J_RXcMyIYf_sjnAwoa?dl=0
______________
Estonia backs landmark diaspora hub in Toronto with €1.37 million contribution
(Estonian World | Estonian World Review)
“… to help complete Keskus, a striking new Estonian Centre under construction in the heart of Toronto, marking the largest diaspora-led initiative in more than half a century.”
—
“Keskus … in downtown Toronto will increase the visibility of the Estonian community within the Canadian society. There is undoubtedly a security-political dimension to this, because the better-known Estonia is, the better protected we are,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna.”
—
https://www.eesti.ca/estonian-government-contributes-nearly-2-million-to-keskus/article61727
“Eesti toetab viimase poolsajandi suurimat väliseestlaste projekti KESKUS.” - Välisministeerium
Lõplikud Nimekirjad: Vaata, kes pääsesid suvisele laulu- ja tantsupeole
(Postimees)
“Eelmisel nädalal lõppesid ettelaulmised ja -mängimised ka laulupeolistel ning esmastel andmetel astuvad XXVIII laulu- ja XXI tantsupeol lavale kokku 41,384 lauljat, orkestranti, tantsijat ja rahvamuusikut 1869 kollektiivist.
Song and Dance Festival to feature more than 41,384 performers this summer
(ERR)
“This week marked the end of auditions for singers and musicians participating in the Song Festival, and according to preliminary data, a total of 41,384 singers, orchestra members, dancers and folk musicians from 1,869 groups will take the stage at the XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Festival "Iseoma."
Estonia aims to equip students and teachers with world-class AI skills
By Justin Petrone
(e-Estonia)
“Estonia is about to make the next big jump in education by initiating a program to incorporate cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications into its education system. The AI Leap 2025 program will provide Estonian students and teachers with access to AI-based educational tools and teach them the most effective ways to use them. Starting this fall, an initial cohort of 20,000 high school students in 10th and 11th grades will get access to these AI applications, and 3,000 teachers will undergo training to learn how to use them best. The program will later be expanded to more high school students and vocational schools.”
https://e-estonia.com/ai-leap-2025-estonia-sets-ai-standard-in-education/
“Estonia Aims to Ensure School Pupils’ Access to AI.” - The European Conservative
“Estonia is launching a national initiative called AI Leap.” - The Guardian
“Estonia’s AI Leap in Education: A Model for Future Learning.” - Complex Discovery
Estonia to Introduce Drone Education in Public High Schools
By Sander Silm
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“Member of the Estonian Parliament and retired Colonel Peeter Tali stated that the project stems from Estonia having significant room for improvement in application of drone technology in the defense sector. ‘Ukrainians estimate that Estonia should have about a thousand drone operators, so we need to move forward more quickly,’ he explained. ‘We should learn from the war in Ukraine—the brutality of war hasn’t changed, but the weapons systems have. In my view, the era of tanks is over. As a former tank operator, it's tough for me to admit, but it's true. We need drone operators at the platoon and squad levels—otherwise, we won't be able to fight effectively,’ added Tali.”
https://balticsentinel.eu/8255420/estonia-to-introduce-drone-education-in-public-schools
Russian navy steals Estonian university's wave buoy, takes it to Kaliningrad
(ERR | Postimees
“The buoy was located about 50 kilometers off Hiiumaa island. It was in Estonia's exclusive economic zone. It is not exactly territorial waters, but Estonia has the right to conduct various activities there, said Rivo Uiboupin, head of the department of marine systems. … According to an analysis by the department, the buoy's movements at the end of April no longer matched natural conditions. As a result, the department asked the Estonian Navy's maritime operations center for help and called in a Latvian Navy vessel, as there were no Estonian naval ships nearby. The Latvian Navy did not find the buoy. However, with their help, it was possible to correlate the buoy's movements with the movements of Russian Navy ships in the area.”
—
https://news.postimees.ee/8256357/russian-navy-steals-estonian-university-s-wave-buoy
Estonia lagging behind other countries in the region on bomb shelter facilities
By Veronika Uibo
(ERR)
“Despite the changed security situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine being in its fourth year – or 12th year if taking the annexation of Crimea and the shadow war in Donbas as a starting point – Estonia has only just begun to grasp that civilian shelters are not luxuries, but necessities.”
—
“Finland, which joined NATO just over three years ago, has been working on this aspect of civil defense for about 80 years now. The country's geology allows for instance for some highly durable facilities, and it was not hampered by Soviet occupation in the way that Estonia was.”
"Switzerland has more nuclear bunkers than any other country." - Guardian
Reportedly, no new Russian military facilities visible close to Estonia's border
(ERR)
“… says EDF Intelligence. While Russia has increased its military activity behind the Finnish border, this is not the case with units and facilities close to Estonia, confirmed Col. Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces' Intelligence Center. News about Russia forming new military units and building military infrastructure in the Leningrad Military District close to Finland's border was recently reported by the Wall Street Journal.”
—
“The intelligence chief confirmed that Russian bases behind the borders of Finland, Estonia, and other Baltic countries are currently mostly empty. The majority of the troops usually stationed there have been sent to fight in Ukraine.
"In recent months, we have not seen the same kind of developments near the Estonian border as we have seen along the Finnish border. However, we have observed these tent camps here for several years, for example, near Ostrov close to the Latvian border, and in Kamenka, where the tent camps still remain to this day," Kiviselg said.”
“Merilo: mingeid Vene vägede kogunemisi meie piiri ääres näha ei ole.” - ERR
Venemaa on muutunud Läänemerel aktiivsemaks ja alustas õppustega
(Postimees)
“Läänemerel on sel nädalal märgata sõjalise aktiivsuse kasvu ning Venemaa alustas piirkonnas ulatuslikke õppusi. Samal ajal viibib piirkonnas ka hulk NATO sõjalaevu. Venemaa merevägi alustas teisipäeval, 27. mail õppusi, milles osaleb üle 20 sõjalaeva, umbes 25 lennukit ja helikopterit ning ligi 3,000 sõdurit, teatas MTV Uutiset. Harjutatakse allveelaevadevastast võitlust, kaitset mehitamata paatide vastu ning antakse suurtükituld mere- ja õhusihtmärkide pihta.”
—
“Paralleelselt toimub Soome iga-aastane õppus Narrow Waters 25, kus osalevad ka Saksamaa, Rootsi ja Eesti mereväe alused. Venemaa välisministeeriumi pressiesindaja Maria Zahharova süüdistas NATO riike õppuste kaudu ‘eesmärgipärases eskalatsioonis’ Venemaa suunal.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8257848/venemaa-on-muutunud-laanemerel-aktiivsemaks-ja-alustas-oppustega
______________
“Estonia on the brink.” - The World
“Estonia ends talks with Russia over Narva River navigation buoys.” - Välisministeerium
“Estonia's Prosecutor's Office calls for stricter laws to deter Russian sabotage.” - ERR
“Estonia's Life Expectancy Rises to 79.5 Years in 2024.” - Postimees
“Venemaa ei suuda kõiki oma varilaevastiku laevu meie vetes eskortida.” - ERR
“Estonian defense forces' wartime composition to be increased to 50,000.” - Postimees
“Estonian conscripts impressed with new field ration packs.” - ERR
“Baltic Workboats hakkab ehitama 45-meetrist poolautonoomset sõjalaeva.” - ERR
“Combiwood ostis Võrumaa ühe suurima saeveski.” - ERR
______________
Around the Baltic Sea
Opinion: A scenario of a sudden Russian attack on one or all of the Baltic countries
By Oleh Dunda
(Kyiv Post)
“No one heard the war begin. There were no tanks or armored vehicles – only drones. There were no loud statements – only the ringing silence of morning: no lights, no communications, no navigation. NATO did not even have time to convene an emergency meeting before key cities in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia were already occupied by Russia. It all happened faster than it took to post the first tweet about the invasion. …”
https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/53508
Russia’s Hybrid Warfare Tactics Target the Baltics
By Eitvydas Bajarūnas
(Jamestown Org.)
“The Baltic States have effectively countered Russia’s continuously escalating hybrid threats through resilience and strategic cooperation with the European Union and NATO. Their ability to withstand pressure highlights their strength in defending democracy and resisting foreign interference.”
https://jamestown.org/program/russias-hybrid-warfare-tactics-target-the-baltics/
Belarus to scale back Zapad 2025 military drills, shift away from western border
(LRT | Moscow Times)
“According to Belarusian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Viktor Khrenin, the decision to reduce the scope of the Zapad 2025 exercises reflects Belarus’s intention to de-escalate tensions in the region. Belarusian Gen. Valery Revenko, head of the department for international cooperation, said the number of participating troops will be cut by nearly half.”
—
“Poland and Lithuania to Hold Military Exercises in Response to Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2025 Drills.” - Baltic Sentinel
Valgevene teatas õppuse Zapad 2025 nihutamisest läänepiirist kaugemale
(ERR)
“Valgevene kaitseministeerium teatas, et on otsustanud vähendada koos Venemaa relvajõududega sügisel peetavate sõjaväeõppuste Zapad-2025 ulatust ja viia need läänepiirist kaugemale.”
—
"Oleme otsustanud vähendada Zapad-2025 õppuste parameetreid ja viia nende põhimanöövrid läänepiiridest sügavamale Valgevene Vabariigi territooriumile," ütles riigi kaitseminister Viktor Hrenin pressiteenistuse vahendusel. Ta rõhutas, et Zapad-2025 sõjaväeõppused ei ole suunatud kellegi vastu …”
https://www.err.ee/1609707216/valgevene-teatas-oppuse-zapad-2025-nihutamisest-laanepiirist-kaugemale
World's Most Modern Border Barrier Being Built in Southeast Finland
By Külli Kapper
(The Baltic Sentinel)
“The 4.5-meter-high border fence covered with sharp barbed wire includes animal gates every three kilometers. … In total, 200 kilometers of barrier will be built along Finland’s eastern border. It will consist of a surveillance system, fencing, and a patrol road. The entire structure is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.”
____________
“The Latest news about Rail Baltica.” - Newsweek
“WSJ: USA tugevdab Euroopa põhjakaart, kartes sõda Venemaaga.” - WSJ via Postimees
“The U.S. Reinforces Europe’s Northern Front, Fearing War With Russia.” - WSJ subscription only
“EU’s tariff hike: U.S. President grants extension to 9. July.” - Politico
“NATO F-35s practice highway ‘touch-and-goes’ in Finland.” - Radio Poland
“Exercise Narrow Waters 25 to be led by the Finnish Navy will be held in the Archipelago Sea.” - Finnish Defense Forces
“Russia accuses Finland of NATO provocation with naval drills.” - Helsinki Times
“The euro could become a viable alternative to the dollar.” - Reuters
“The most anticipated new EVs coming to Europe in 2025.” - Euronews
____________
Putin’s Forever War
Putin's newest demand for peace includes an end to NATO enlargement, say sources
(Reuters | The Moscow Times)
“President Vladimir Putin's conditions for ending the war in Ukraine include a demand that Western leaders pledge in writing to stop enlarging NATO eastwards and lift a chunk of sanctions on Russia, according to three Russian sources with knowledge of the negotiations. … Russia also wants Ukraine to be neutral, some Western sanctions lifted, a resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the West, and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine.”
—
“Russia has intensified its provocative actions at sea and in the air.” - Yle
“New Russian School Textbook Teaches Students How to Operate Drones.” - The Moscow Times
“Russia sows chaos where it cannot convince – Estonian diplomat.” - Ukrinform
Welcome to the long war: Why a Ukraine deal was never realistic
By Brian Whitmore
(Atlantic Council)
“Four months of chaotic shuttle diplomacy aimed at reaching a cease-fire in Ukraine, multiple phone calls between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, repeated US attempts to pressure, browbeat, and bully Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into concessions, have all yielded exactly nothing.”
—
“Which is not in the least bit surprising. Because there is no deal to be had with Russia on Ukraine. There never has been, and there never will be. There is simply no magic formula, no concession, and no grand bargain that would satisfy the Kremlin’s maximalist and eliminationist goals. Moscow wants to end Ukraine’s sovereignty, nationhood, and statehood. Ukraine wants to continue to exist as an independent sovereign state. Given this, no compromise is possible. …”
The Delusions of Peacemaking in Ukraine
By Dmytro Kuleba
(Foreign Affairs)
“Effective wartime diplomacy requires applying the right amount of leverage—sticks and carrots—on the right parties, under time pressure. The U.S. president introduced the final factor by promising a swift outcome, and when that proved impossible, unsuccessfully threatening to walk away from negotiations altogether. But he failed when it came to rewards and punishments, wielding all the sticks against the country that was attacked while reserving all the carrots for the attacker. He railed against Ukraine, blaming it for the war, and at one point suspended assistance to its military. Meanwhile, he praised Russian President Vladimir Putin."
—
“As a result, the world is no closer to meaningful negotiations now than it was when Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November.”
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/delusions-peacemaking-ukraine-dmytro-kubela
Ukraine’s New Way of War
By Nataliya Gumenyuk
(The Atlantic)
“Despite flagging U.S. support, Ukrainian forces continue to hold the Russians off, and their resilience points to Kyiv’s growing autonomy from the United States. In fact, the conflict’s front line, which extends for about 1,900 miles and features intense combat along 700 of them, has not moved much since Trump took office in January. What’s keeping Ukraine in the fight is not Russian mercy, or even solely American arms: It’s innovation.”
—
“In just three years, Ukraine’s military has evolved from defending itself with leftover Soviet weapons to pioneering a new kind of warfare. …”
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/05/ukraine-troops-front-lines/682910/
Western allies lift Ukraine's restrictions on long-range weapons
(Euronews | Deutsche Welle)
“Western allies are not imposing any range restrictions on the use of long-range weapons delivered to Ukraine against Russian military targets, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday. Merz pointed out that the restrictions have been lifted not only on German weapons.”
—
"There are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the UK, France, nor us. There are no restrictions by the US either," he said during a forum organised by public broadcaster, WDR.”
—
“The German chancellor stressed that while Kyiv is using its weapons to target Russian military infrastructure, Russia continues to attack Ukrainian "cities, kindergartens, hospitals and care homes."
—
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-merz-no-more-range-limits-for-weapons-to-ukraine/a-72676864
______________
“Inside a Drone Factory in Ukraine” - NPR
“Russia launched its biggest drone attack yet, part of an escalating campaign.” - AP
“Fibre-Optic Drones Replace Drivers To Deliver Critical Supplies To Ukraine’s Frontlines.” - RFERL
“The Kremlin’s new Putin documentary.” - Transitions
“Repression in Russia Becoming ‘Ever More Massive, Harsh and Unpredictable’.” - By Paul Goble
“History shows that the U.S. president is making a serious error in appeasing Vladimir Putin.” - Novaya Gazeta
“If the U.S. president recognizes Crimea as Russian, he risks blowing a hole in war crimes cases.” - Politico Europe
“At PoW homecoming, some Ukrainian families reunite as others seek word on loved ones.” - CBC
“Russia is preparing new offensives, according to Ukraine intelligence: Zelenskyy.” - ABCNews
“Panicking Putin Propagandists Censor Trump’s ‘CRAZY’ Outburst.” - The Daily Beast
___________
_______
__
