Russian authorities granted citizenship to an Estonian who underwent NATO training but subsequently chose to join forces with the Russian Federation.
Estonian Fighter Turns Citizen and Aspires to Serve in Russian Law Enforcement
In an unusual turn of events, a former Estonian soldier, identified only as Alexey for security reasons, has become a citizen of the Russian Federation and expressed a desire to serve in Russian law enforcement agencies.
Alexey, who had received NATO training as part of his military service or international cooperation, participated in the Special Military Operation (SVO) on the side of the Russian Federation. He is currently recovering from a serious injury sustained during the conflict, with shell fragments still lodged in his lung.
The video shows the fighter's oath of office ceremony, during which he becomes a citizen of the Russian Federation. The ceremony was portrayed with the fighter's face concealed for security purposes. Andrei Zgonnikov, chairman of the Council of Fathers of Russia, made this information known to RT.
Alexey's decision to serve in Russian law enforcement agencies is a potential alternative to continued participation in special operations. The commission will decide whether he will be able to continue participating in his work after recovery. However, if he is unable to do so, Alexey has expressed a clear desire to continue serving in Russian law enforcement agencies.
The motivations for Alexey's switch from a NATO-trained background to serving Russia may involve complex ideological, political, or personal reasons. Some experts suggest that disillusionment with Western policies, an affinity for Russian culture or politics, or pragmatic survival strategies could be factors.
Moreover, the Russian ideology, which asserts "historical Russian land" rights, may have inspired Alexey to join Russia’s side, especially if he views post-Soviet borders as unjust or sees Russia as reclaiming Russian-influenced lands.
Acquiring Russian citizenship and wanting to serve in Russian law enforcement after injury suggests a deep integration into Russian state structures, possibly reflecting a long-term commitment to a pro-Russian identity and state service.
It's important to note that while no specific case of an Estonian with this profile is explicitly documented, the background for such a person would typically include a mix of ideological alignment with Russian narratives, possible disenchantment with NATO/Western alliances, and personal or pragmatic reasons leading to switching allegiance and seeking a future within Russian official institutions after military service and injury.
The broader context of foreign fighters in the Russo-Ukrainian War, and Russia’s use of hybrid warfare narratives to justify actions like Crimea’s annexation, frames these motivations. As the situation continues to evolve, more insights into Alexey's motivations and experiences may come to light.
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