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05 September, 2025

 


Bog Walking: Exploring Estonia’s Wild Landscapes  

BBC

“Once feared as homes to spirits, Estonia's bogs cover a fifth of the country and are vital to its culture and ecology. For centuries, bogs have been seen as bleak and forbidding, yet in Estonia they are central to national identity. They shape the landscape, sustain biodiversity and are now a focus of both conservation and tourism.”

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250829-bog-walking-exploring-estonias-otherworldly-wild-landscapes





Ukrainian drone incident shook Estonia's security system more than it let on

Postimees

“The Ukrainian drone incident a week ago shook Estonia's security system more than the public was made aware of. It also exposed blind spots in aerial surveillance and revealed confusion over responsibilities between the Police and Border Guard Board and the defense forces. Every crisis accelerates progress; the question is whether the state can establish a functioning, unified air defense system before the next airspace crisis.”

https://news.postimees.ee/8316454/fookus-ukrainian-drone-incident-shook-estonia-s-security-system-more-than-it-let-on



“We seem to still not understand that an attack drone just exploded in Estonia.”

By Erkki Koort

Postimees



“Shooting Down a War Drone That Entered Baltic Airspace in Peacetime Could Be a Recipe for Disaster.”

Interview: Jaak Tarien

The Baltic Sentinel



“Two Russian drones breach NATO airspace again — Poland says no action needed as they return to Ukraine.”

Euromaidan Press





Prepare for possible US troop drawdown in Europe, Estonia says

Politico Europe

“President Alar Karis warns that all European countries should be prepared for Russian provocations.”

“The U.S. currently has some 2,000 soldiers stationed in the Baltic states (Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia) as part of a military buildup in the wake of Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/prepare-for-possible-us-troop-drawdown-europe-alar-karis-estonia/



“USA kärbib julgeolekuabi Balti riikidele. Pevkur: negatiivses mõttes märgiline.”

Postimees


“Eesti president hoiatas Politicos USA vägede Euroopast lahkumise eest.”

Postimees


“U.S. will phase out some security assistance for European countries near the border with Russia.”

Reuters


“USA toob HIMARS-ite asemele Eestisse tankid.”

ERR





Russia Expels Estonian Diplomat

The Moscow Times

“… in retaliation for Tallinn declaring a Russian diplomat persona non grata over alleged activities undermining the Baltic country’s constitutional order and violating sanctions.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/04/russia-expels-estonian-diplomat-in-tit-for-tat-move-a90432






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Cover Photo:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lahemaa_Viru_bog_10.jpg


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Estonians in Hiiumaa concerned about Russia's proximity

Deutsche Welle

“NATO is conducting training exercises in the Baltic Sea for a reaction to a potential Russian attack. The Estonian island of Hiiumaa lies directly on the shipping route between the Russian city of St. Petersburg and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.”

https://www.dw.com/en/estonians-on-baltic-sea-island-concerned-about-russias-proximity/video-73811906





Estonia 'not worried' joining Ukraine's reassurance force

Euronews

“Tallinn has said it is ready to provide troops for the reassurance force the 'Coalition of the Willing' aims to send to Ukraine as a security guarantee. Estonia is "not much worried" that the reassurance force allies could send to Ukraine as a security guarantee will weaken NATO's eastern flank but is discussing the issue with the military alliance.”

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/03/estonia-not-worried-joining-ukraines-reassurance-force-will-weaken-eastern-flank-says-pres



“26 allies pledge troops to guarantee Ukraine’s post-war security.”

Novaya Gazeta


“Putin said Friday that any foreign military troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered targets.”

Washington Post


“Zelenskõi pärast erakorralist kohtumist Balti- ja Põhjala riikidega: me ei tee kingitusi Putinile.”

Postimees





NATO chief praises Estonia's contribution to defense

ERR

“However, Estonia cannot bear the burden alone. All NATO Allies must contribute sufficiently to increase the alliance's defense capabilities, President Karis said.”

https://news.err.ee/1609788114/nato-chief-praises-estonia-s-contribution-to-defense-spending-and-ukraine-support



“President Karis in Brussels - Press Conference.” NATO





Archbishop Profittlich to be Estonia’s first blessed

The Pillar | Agenzia Fides 

“Austria’s Cardinal Christoph Schönborn will preside on behalf of Pope Leo XIV at the Sept. 6 beatification of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, S.J., in Freedom Square in the capital, Tallinn.”

“Tallinn’s Bishop Philippe Jourdan has described the event as “not only a major moment for Estonia’s Catholics, but for the entire nation. For the first time, someone will be declared Blessed in Estonia who lived, served and suffered right here in our land — in the heart of Estonia,” he wrote in August.”

https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/who-is-estonias-first-blessed

http://www.fides.org/en/news/76767-EUROPE_ESTONIA_Beatification_of_Missionary_Bishop_Eduard_Profittlich_Remaining_in_the_light_of_Christ_in_the_face_of_darkness





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“Tallinnas korraldati Palestiina toetuseks rongkäik.”

ERR


“How Estonia drove out the Russian army.”

Estonian World


“Legal barriers and low interest delay Estonia’s AI rollout in schools.”

Digwatch


“Estonia's inflation may remain above eurozone average.”

ERR


“Estonian food is increasingly becoming a luxury.”

ERR


“US transfers 'state-of-the-art' mobile scanner to Estonia's customs officers.”

ERR


“Estonians lead Finland’s deportation statistics for criminal cases.”

Helsinki Times


“Ukrainian War Refugees in Estonia: Sociodemographic Portrait and Support Policies.”

ICDS


“Estonia insists that Russia's frozen assets be confiscated and transferred to Ukraine.”

Ukrainska Pravda


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Around the Baltic Sea



Russian Foreign Ministry Journal Views Baltic as Irreversible Center of Military Conflict

By Paul Goble

Jamestown Org

“According to the article, the Western alignment of the Baltic region is a serious and growing threat to Russian interests, a challenge Moscow must respond to lest the West use its position there to threaten Russia and its interests.”

“The article’s zero-sum approach, in which all Western gains are Russian losses and vice versa, suggests that the Russian Foreign Ministry is coming into line with the Russian Defense Ministry, rather than acting as a constraint on its excesses.”

https://jamestown.org/program/russian-foreign-ministry-journal-views-baltic-as-irreversible-center-of-military-conflict/





What to Know About Russia's GPS Jamming Operation in Europe

Military,com

“While Russian authorities suggest the jamming is defensive — to protect key cities and military infrastructure from Ukrainian drone attacks — Baltic officials say the depth of electronic interference has increased, causing navigation failures far from Russia's borders.”

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/09/02/what-know-about-russias-gps-jamming-operation-europe.html



“NATO to strike back against Russian jamming.”

Euronews


“Sharp rise in GPS jamming over Baltic Sea.”

Radio Sweden


“Leedu käivitab hulkuvate ründedroonide õhuruumi sisenemisel häiresireeni.”

Postimees





NATO allies to help Finland build air bases for F-35s 

Euromaidan

“With the first F-35 fighters scheduled to arrive in Rovaniemi in late 2026, NATO members are preparing to fund one-fifth of Finland’s fighter base construction across three cities.”

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/04/nato-allies-to-help-finland-build-air-bases-for-f-35/



“How Finns prepare for a Russian attack.”

CBC





Baltic states tore down their Soviet past following Ukraine war

The Conversation

“For many people in the Baltic states, Soviet-era monuments embodied occupation and served as reminders of repression imposed by a foreign regime. Yet for others, especially within ethnic Russian communities, they continued to represent Soviet wartime victories and functioned as sites of commemoration. Legal restrictions also prevented their removal, as many monuments were formally protected by law. …”

https://theconversation.com/baltic-states-have-torn-down-their-soviet-past-following-ukraine-war-a-photo-essay-263468





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“Is NATO Sticking to Its New Defense Spending Goals?”

National Interest


“Putini sõnad polnud juhuslikud – ta usub, et Trumpiga mängimiseks on veel ruumi.”

Postimees Arvamus


“Foreign investment in Sweden drops sharply.”

Radio Sweden


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Ukraine’s 20,000 stolen children are on the Trump administration’s radar. But will it help get them back?

(Meduza)

“More than two weeks have passed since U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and by all appearances, this controversial show of diplomacy yielded no tangible results. Despite the positive follow-up meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, the Trump administration’s initial claims that Putin had agreed to make concessions quickly proved false. In the days that followed, Moscow deployed Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reiterate its long-held demands, and the Russian military continued its offensive in Donbas and devastating attacks on Ukrainian cities. Meanwhile, an issue that appeared to be top of mind during the summits on U.S. soil — the return of the 20,000 Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia — risks fading into the background once again.”

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/09/03/eyewitnesses-to-a-war-crime




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