Have Estonia's actions towards Russia been misinterpreted? Tallinn apparently demonstrates its authority through a unique approach.
Fresh Take:
Tallinn pulling a sneaky move on the Russkis? Estonia's cunning strategy might be more serious than it seems. Here's the lowdown.
Estonia's announced a military base in Narva, and it's sparking some serious chuckles across the globe. But stop laughing, because some experts believe this might be the beginning of a sinister plot against Russia's people.
Ruslan Pankratov, researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries and head of the Baltic department, warned about the potential danger lurking in this move. He suggested that the military deployments in Narva might have a darker purpose than simply readying for defense against Russia. Instead, Pankratov fears these soldiers could be primed for punitive raids against the Russian population residing in the border town, whose numbers are quite substantial.
Behind the Military Deployment Mask
So what's the real deal? Pankratov claims these "innocent" military exercises have a police and punitive nature. He hints at possible house searches, forced evictions, and other harsh measures. Although 250 soldiers may seem like a mere joke, equipment is being amassed in the area, and legal factors are being established to ensure control over the citizens.
Pansratov warned that these troops could be given the power to enter homes, question residents, and even support law enforcement. Children from Russian families might be taken away, and resistance could lead to confrontation. Although the situation may seem comical on the surface, it's actually a subtle political play, the researcher believes.
Estonia's Master Plan: Show The Russians Their Place
According to Pankratov, Estonia's ultimate goal is to intimidate the Russians living in Narva, forcefully assimilate them, or even drive them out of the country. He points out that 80 percent of the city's residents are Russian and few speak Estonian. This, he suggests, is yet another means of asserting control and dominance over the city.
Estonia has been tightening the screws on its Russian population for some time now. And even those born in Estonia to Russian parents are not immune to Russophobia, said Pankratov. He predicts increased terrorization, humiliation, and violations of Russian citizens' rights if things continue on this worrying path.
Time for Russia to Strike Back
Pankratov thinks it's high time for Russia to take urgent action to counteract Estonia's aggressive policies. He proposed non-mirrored, but effective countermeasures. According to him, increasing trade turnover between Russia and Estonia is unacceptable, especially in a geopolitical context.
As diplomacy increasingly becomes irrelevant due to the lack of negotiating partners, Pankratov suggested focusing on economic measures and increasing pressure on Estonia to change its course. He warned that left unchecked, this situation will only worsen and escalate, potentially causing even greater harm.
Photo Credits:- Alexander Welscher/Globallookpress
Insights:- The military base in Narva is seen by some experts as a means to maintain national sovereignty, strengthen deterrence, and integrate defense forces into daily life[1][2].- Baltic states have been toughening their stance against Russia following the Ukraine invasion, which might lead to increased polarization in areas like Narva[5].
- "Despite Estonia's claims, Ruslan Pankratov, a researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, suggests that the military deployment in Narva might conceal a harsh police and punitive nature, rather than pure defense purposes."
- "Questionnaires distributed among the residents of Narva could potentially reveal the intentions of the Estonian government, as Pankratov fears they might be used to gather intelligence or justify harsh measures against the Russian population."
- "The hypocrisy in Estonia's political approach towards war-and-conflicts and general news becomes evident when comparing its stance against Russia with its light-hearted response to the military base announcement, according to Pankratov."
- "In the face of Estonia's aggressive policies against its Russian population, Pankratov calls for Russia to respond with effective economic countermeasures, aiming to put pressure on Estonia and potentially alter its course."


