Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service: Russia’s economy is spiraling downward, but Moscow is still stockpiling for the ‘next war’
Meduza
“Russia is unlikely to attack any NATO member in the near future, but plans to continue its war against Ukraine, according to Estonia’s annual international security report … published by the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service.”
“International Security and Estonia 2026 Report.”
Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service
“Eesti Rahvusvahelises Julgeolekukeskkonnas 2026.”
Välisluureamet
CEPA
“Russia’s external debt has reached nearly $62 billion.”
The Moscow Times
Euronews
“Russia Is Building a Large Drone Force.”
The Baltic Sentinel
Defense News
“Russia still sees US as its top adversary, Estonian intelligence report says.”
Defense One
“Estonian intelligence: Russia taking 'drastic measures' to recruit new soldiers.”
ERR
“US claims limited military pullback from Europe.”
Politico Europe
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“The border between democracy
and authoritarianism is the least
protected border in the world.”
Ivan Krastev
The Coffee Club
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/EstoNews100
EstoNews On-Line:
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
Cover: Drone Video
The Guardian
https://youtu.be/KHy1_0XQObI?si=FMKtiEr3rTuNAEmz
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‘Estonia Worldwide’ exhibition explores complex diaspora identities
By Michael Cole
ERR
“A new exhibition at the Vabamu Museum in Tallinn invites visitors to see Estonia not just as a country, but as a global community. … Previous research on Estonian migration has focused heavily on the periods surrounding the Second World War and the Soviet occupation (1940-1941, 1944-1991). However, as Martin Vaino, curator of "Estonia Worldwide," points out, "that's only part of the story.” The exhibition takes a much broader approach to the subject, highlighting three distinct waves of Estonian migration from the 1800s to the present day, through personal items and stories.”
Kirgi kütnud ligi 70-miljoniline loodusmaja sai endale nime
Ãœlle Harju, Postimees
“Riigikogu liikme Tarmo Tamme (Eesti 200) osalusega firma teenib loodusmaja ehituselt kopsaka summa.
Kliimaministeerium teatas, et skandaalide saatel ehitatav, koos käibemaksuga ligi 70 miljonit maksma minev loodusmaja Tallinnas Noblessneris sai endale nimeks Taru.”
https://www.postimees.ee/8414584/kirgi-kutnud-ligi-70-miljoniline-loodusmaja-sai-endale-nime
Estonian icebreakers free 50+ ships from Baltic Sea ice
BNN
“Two state-owned icebreakers, Botnica and Eva, are working in the Gulf of Riga, along the Estonian islands and on the coast near Pärnu, while Tarmo is freeing waterways east of Tallinn, in the Gulf of Finland. Tarmo will set off late on 10. February, while icebreakers have been working around the port of Pärnu and in the Gulf of Riga since January. … Of the more than 50 ships that icebreakers have helped to get back on their feet, 45 have been at sea near Pärnu.”
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“While such weather conditions are not unprecedented, they usually happen about once every seven years.”
https://bnn-news.com/estonian-icebreakers-free-more-than-50-ships-from-ice-277138
Kihnu ja Vormsi jäätee jäävad tuisu tõttu avamata
ERR
“Selle aasta teine ja kolmas ametlik jäätee sai plaanipäraselt valmis, ent Eestisse saabunud lumetorm ei luba neid liiklejatele avada, teatas transpordiamet.
Jääteedel on nähtavus alla 300 m ning seetõttu pole sealne liiklemine turvaline.”
https://www.err.ee/1609940780/kihnu-ja-vormsi-jaatee-jaavad-tuisu-tottu-avamata
“Võru- ja Põlvamaa riigiteedel kehtestati raskete ilmaolude tõttu eriline hoolderežiim.”
Postimees
“Kihnus kriisi ei nähta, Vormsil on olukord keeruline.”
Postimees
“Hiiumaa Jäätee: Kel vähegi võimalik, ärge lõbu pärast sõitke.”
Postimees
Estonians drive on ice road across frozen sea
Euronews
“The so-called 'ice road' connecting the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, located in western Estonia between the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, was officially opened on 8. February, with a line of cars waiting to use it that afternoon.”
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“Authorities decided to open the ice road after locals had spontaneously began driving across the frozen sea, exposing themselves to serious risks. Ferries had struggled to keep up regular service in the frozen sea following weeks of temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius.”
“Drive the Estonian ice road - just don’t fasten your seatbelts.”
The Guardian
Opinion: NATO’s not ready for drone war
By Jillian Kay Melchio
WSJ via RBC-Ukraine
“Estonia drills last May revealed a brutal reality.”
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“Russia and Ukraine have shown the world the future of warfare—and America and its allies aren’t ready for it. That’s the lesson of a major exercise that North Atlantic Treaty Organization members conducted in Estonia last May. What transpired during the exercise, with the details reported here for the first time, exposed serious tactical shortcomings and vulnerabilities in high-intensity drone combat.”
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“According to Arbo Probal, head of the drone systems program for Estonia’s Defense Forces, the exercises simulated a “contested and congested” battlefield designed to maximize stress and cognitive overload for units, testing their adaptability.”
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“However, during one scenario, a NATO battle group of several thousand troops — including a British brigade and an Estonian division — effectively ignored the new reality of total battlefield transparency during an offensive.”
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“The NATO battle group simply moved around without camouflage, setting up tents and armored vehicles. Everything was destroyed,” said one participant who played the role of the opposing force.”
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/nato-not-ready-for-drone-war-estonia-drills-1770974378.html
—
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/nato-has-seen-the-future-and-is-unprepared-887eaf0f
“Top US official calls for a NATO 3.0.”
Politico
“NATO 3.0: US and Europe appear to agree rebalancing of power is needed.”
Euronres
Estonia to install a medium-range air defence system
By Sten Hankewitz
Estonian World
“Estonia’s defence capabilities will reach a new milestone in 2026, when air defence against targets flying at altitudes of up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) will gain an additional layer through the introduction of medium-range air defence.”
https://estonianworld.com/security/estonia-to-install-a-medium-range-air-defence-system/
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Postimees
“Work on Estonia's first-ever wine grape variety underway.”
ERR
“Rongid hakkavad lõunaeestlasi peagi tihedamalt sõidutama.”
Lõuna Eesti Postimees
“Estonian government allocates over €1 billion for road maintenance over 4 years.”
ERR
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Around the Baltic Sea
Sauli Niinistö considered for EU Russia envoy role
Helsinki Times
“Former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö is being considered for a new European Union special envoy role tasked with reopening dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin. … The proposed role would aim to restore a direct political channel between the EU and the Kremlin as efforts continue to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. According to La Repubblica, concern has grown in European capitals that contacts with Moscow risk becoming dependent on the United States alone.”
“A special representative of Europe for Russia—to do what?”
By Kristi Raik, ICDS
Nato approves new command unit for Finland
Yle
“NATO has approved Finland’s proposal to host a Deployable CIS Module, placing a new command and control unit on Finnish soil. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced the decision in Brussels on Thursday during a meeting of NATO defence ministers.”
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“The unit will provide communication and information system services to support NATO forces and command structures in Finland and across the alliance.”
“German General Explains How NATO Is Rewriting Baltic Defense.”
The Baltic Sentinel
Norway defence chief says Russia could invade to protect its far north nuclear assets
The Guardian
“… much of Russia’s nuclear arsenal is located on the Kola peninsula, a short distance from the Norwegian border, including nuclear submarines, land-based missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft. These would be crucial if Russia came into conflict with Nato elsewhere.”
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“Lithuania wargamed a security incident on Russian Kaliningrad transit train.”
Euronews
“Latvia will participate in NATO 'Arctic Sentry' mission.”
LSM
“Lithuania’s ‘Plan B’ for a Europe with fewer American troops.”
Politico Europe
“Historic changes to Swedish citizenship rules will begin to take effect from June this year.”
Radio Sweden
“Europe's push to go it alone exposes old fault lines.”
Politico
“Moscow House row an embarrassment, says Vilnius mayor.”
LRT
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