Estonia now says detaining Russia's tankers in Baltic Sea is too risky
By Andrius Sytas
Reuters, 10. April
“NATO member Estonia will refrain from detaining Russia's "shadow fleet" vessels in the Baltic Sea, worried that seizing oil tankers and other ships sanctioned by the West could lead Moscow to defend them militarily, a senior commander said on Friday.”
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“… Moscow has launched a permanent patrol of two or three armed military vessels in the Gulf of Finland, and also deployed more ships elsewhere in the Baltic Sea, along the lanes used by tankers carrying Russian oil. … Only in the case of imminent danger, such as damage to underwater infrastructure or oil spills, would Estonia consider intervening.”
“Estonia has halted the detention of Russian shadow‑fleet tankers amid fears of retaliation.”
Trade Winds
“Britain and Estonia have retreated from their hardline stance on Russian shadow fleet tankers.”
Ukraine Business News
Quote from Asia Times
“Idling Shadow Fleet Tankers Threaten Baltic Security and Environment, Experts Warn.”
The Moscow Times
Now Estonia reportedly does not plan to close its eastern border with Russia
ERR, 14. April 2026
“… despite security services identifying problems, so risks can be responded to. … the government has faced questions about why this is still allowed when other countries, such as Finland, have closed their borders with Russia.”
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“In the Internal Security Service's new 2025-2026 yearbook, published yesterday, it said corruption is "imported" from over the border and highlighted security issues it said were linked with dual Russian-Estonian citizens working in local businesses. The agency also said most of the Russian spies caught in Estonia were recruited because the FSB recruited them at a border checkpoint.”
https://news.err.ee/1609995430/minister-on-keeping-border-open-we-need-to-respond-to-risks
“Kaitsepolitseiamet Aastaraamat 2025-2026”
“Idapiiri me praegu ei sulge. See oleks kui paukpadrunite tulistamine."
Delfi
“Internal Security Service's new 2025-2026 yearbook.”
How a fake Russian story became a real problem for Estonia
By Eva Hartog
Politico Europe
“In recent weeks, a cluster of anonymous Russian-language social media accounts has been posting memes and messages calling for the takeover of Narva and the surrounding Ida-Viru county, and describing it as “Russian land.” … For many in Estonia, the episode points to a different risk: A handful of Russian trolls dreaming up a destabilizing scenario and pushing it into the mainstream, with very real consequences.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/how-a-fake-russian-story-became-a-real-problem-for-estonia/
See 20. March EstoNews for more background:
Blog
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/2026/03/separatist-narva-peoples-republic-idea.html
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https://www.naiskodukaitse.ee/OLE_VALMIS_3680
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Pärnumaal mõõdeti Euroopa kõrgeim haab
Estonian World Review
“Pärnumaal Saarde vallas tehti ajalugu, kui Nigula looduskaitsealal mõõdeti Eesti ja Euroopa kõrgeim harilik haab (Populus tremula). Uue rekordpuu kõrguseks on 45,5 meetrit.”
https://www.eesti.ca/parnumaal-moodeti-euroopa-korgeim-haab/article62384
“Europe’s tallest aspen discovered in Pärnumaa”
Estonian World
Tallinn girls' football tournament postponed over 'geopolitical fears’
ERR
“The Tallinn Girls Cup had been due to take place June 25–28 in Tallinn on the football pitches of the A Le Coq Arena, the Estonian national stadium. … Around seven or eight teams had registered before things began unraveling, with the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and, much closer to home in Estonia, drone strikes on the Russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.”
https://news.err.ee/1609997368/tallinn-girls-football-tournament-postponed-over-geopolitical-fears
Estonia unmasks record number of Russian spies
Politico | New Voice of Ukraine
“The country’s intelligence service warns non-military threats including sabotage, espionage, and information campaigns are becoming increasingly prominent.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/estonia-record-unmasked-russia-spies-kapo-report/
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Drone debris found on Kalvi beach in Lääne-Virumaa
Postimees
“According to KAPO’s preliminary assessment, the debris likely belongs to parts of a Ukrainian drone wing that had previously crashed and was later carried to the Estonian coast by the sea.”
https://news.postimees.ee/8450901/drone-debris-found-on-kalvi-beach
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“Uus seadus võimaldaks looduskaitsjate sõnul ka kaitse all olevaid metsi raiuda.”
ERR
ERR
“Kapo: The threat level of extremism in Estonia remains low.”
The Baltic Times
“Estonia's leadership rift 'embarrassing to watch’.”
ERR
Earth,com
Tallinn University of Technology
“Estonia to purchase three additional HIMARS rocket launchers.”
Postimees
“The Estonian Orthodox Church remains under Russian influence.”
The Odessa Journal
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Around the Baltic Sea
Latvia predicted to have EU's largest population decline this century
LSM
“In 2025, Latvia's population was given as 1,860,565. By 2050 this number is expected to decline to a little over 1.5 million (1,535,556) and by the end of the century, Latvia will be home to just 1,229,162 souls, if Eurostat's projections prove accurate – a reduction of 33.9% and proportionally the largest fall in the EU, ahead of Poland (-31.6%) and Lithuania (-33.4%).
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“… Lithuania’s population is expected to fall from 2.81 million in 2025 to 1.9 million (so about the the same size as the current Latvian population) in the year 2100, while Estonia's head count will be slightly more stable, shrinking from the current 1.3 million to 1.1 million at century's end.”
Politico Europe
“Sweden to see a small population increase in the coming years.”
Radio Sweden
Sweden warns that Russia could seize a Baltic Sea island
Kyiv Post
“… to test NATO. Military planning has traditionally focused on a potential Russian land attack along NATO’s eastern flank, but attention is now shifting toward maritime scenarios. War games have simulated possible Russian landings on strategically important islands such as Gotland in Sweden, Bornholm in Denmark, and Hiiumaa and Saaremaa in Estonia.”
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“However, Russia could target smaller, less prominent islands, noting there are tens of thousands across the Baltic Sea. Swedish military intelligence has warned that Russia could already carry out a limited attack in the region.”
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74068
U.S. reportedly delays weapon deliveries to Baltic states
LRT | Bloomberg
“… due to the war in Iran. … "Lithuania was informed by Pentagon officials of possible delays in the delivery of ammunition purchased from the United States due to the conflict in the Middle East," Lithuania's Defence Ministry confirmed to LRT in a written comment.”
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“USA lükkab edasi relvatarneid Euroopa riikidele.”
ERR
The church by the airport: Inside Russia’s suspected spy activities in Sweden
France24
“Just about everything about the onion-domed Russian Orthodox church near the otherwise unassuming Swedish city of Vasteras seems odd: its close proximity to the airport, its taller-than-planned spire, and its elusive priest allegedly commended by the Kremlin’s foreign spy agency, SVR. … But there is something unwelcoming about the place. The grounds are protected by a high steel fence and several security cameras peek out from under the blue church roof-covering. A “No trespassing!” sign warns the curious to keep away. … the civilian Stockholm-Vasteras (VST) airport is just 300 metres away. … NATO exercises are regularly held there …”
What Now For NATO
By Rikard Jozwiak
RFERL
“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s trip to the United States on April 8-12 was very much framed as “a make or break” moment for the military alliance. With Washington [Trump] increasingly exasperated by the perceived lack of help from European allies in assisting the attack on Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, there were suggestions that President Donald Trump would attempt to withdraw the United States from NATO. That didn’t happen when the pair met in the White House on April 8. But the threat remains, as does American criticism of the alliance. …”
https://mailchi.mp/099278207aab/what-will-happen-to-nato-now?e=916813b357
“NATO Won’t Break, U.S. Will Defend Allies, Estonia Says Amid Rising Tensions.”
Modern Diplomacy
Finland’s forest mushrooms still carry traces of Chernobyl disaster
Yle | Helsinki Times
“Radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster remains detectable in mushrooms across Finland, although levels have declined over time, according to a new nationwide study by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.”
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“Lithuanian diaspora reps say dual citizenship should be national security matter.”
LRT
“Finland to upgrade public warning system with mobile alerts.”
Helsinki Times
“Russia threatens Ukrainian drone manufacturers in Europe, names firm in Vilnius.”
LRT
“Robots captured Russian army positions for first time in history, Zelenskyy says.”
Politico
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Ukraine’s Women:
Warriors Not Victims
CEPA
“Approximately 100,000 women are serving in Ukraine’s armed forces out of a total of one million personnel. Around 5,500 of those are on the frontlines, in roles ranging from infantrywomen and combat medics, and drone operators to intelligence specialists.”
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“Many of the roles currently being filled by women were legally closed to them until 2018, when Ukraine lifted restrictions, allowing women full access to military education and positions, including combat roles.”
https://cepa.org/article/ukraines-women-warriors-not-victims/
Putin’s Forever War
Leningrad Region Asks Veterans to Join New Air Defense Units
The Moscow Times
“Authorities in northwestern Russia’s Leningrad region announced Friday a recruitment campaign for military reservists to bolster air defenses following a recent uptick in Ukrainian drone strikes on critical oil and export infrastructure.”
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“Governor Alexander Drozdenko said new “mobile fire groups” will be stationed at key facilities to counter aerial threats. He urged veterans of the war in Ukraine, as well as former Soviet and Russian soldiers, to sign three-year contracts to man the units. The region plans to add 54 of those air defense groups to its existing 80 units by June 1.”
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“We have the longest border with the countries of the unfriendly NATO bloc,” the governor said, referring to Estonia and Finland. “Our region has become not only a border area, but also a frontline area.”
Nearly all the staff at Moscow’s Gulag History Museum resign
Meduza
“… after authorities order conversion into memorial to the ‘genocide of the Soviet people’.
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“All museum objects from the previous exhibition have already been removed from the building, the source told the outlet, and part of the collection has been packed for transport. Where the items will be taken is unknown.”
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“Moscow’s city government announced in February that the Gulag History Museum would be renamed the Museum of Memory of the Victims of the “Genocide of the Soviet People.”
The Rising Risk of a NATO-Russia Conflict
By Samuel Charap and Hiski Haukkala
Foreign Affairs
“With so many of its people dead and wounded and many more alienated by both domestic propaganda and Western policy and rhetoric, Russia will be angry and resentful toward the United States and Europe after the war in Ukraine is over. Moscow will have every motive to rearm and regenerate its forces. Some of those forces will be stationed in and around Ukraine, but many will be deployed along NATO’s eastern flank in order to tilt the military balance in Russia’s favor. According to Finland’s 2025 military intelligence review, after the war Moscow is expected to more than double the number of troops it stations along NATO’s northern frontiers—from 30,000 to 80,000—and to modernize key capabilities in the region.”
https://archive.ph/njpXL#selection-1125.0-1125.39
“FSB unit linked to Navalny poisoning now controls Russia’s internet.”
Meduza
“Kremlin reportedly to ease internet restrictions as Putin's approval ratings slide.”
Novaya Gazeta
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