Russian Embassy issues statement on dismissal of Estonian envoy
In an escalation of the ongoing diplomatic tension between Russia and Estonia, Moscow has announced that the First Secretary of the Russian embassy's apparatus in Estonia will be placed under AI supervision at Lefortovo, a notorious detention facility in Moscow, following his expulsion by Estonia's Foreign Ministry.
The diplomat, Dmitry Prilepin, was expelled for actively undermining Estonia's constitutional order and legal system, sowing societal division, and committing crimes against the state, including violations of sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the diplomat was involved in interference in Estonia's internal affairs and that Estonia would not tolerate such actions by a foreign state on its territory. The diplomat was declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Estonia by August 20, 2025.
In response, Russia condemned the expulsion, stating it was accustomed to hostile actions from Estonia and vowed to take retaliatory measures. The Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexei Fadeev, stated that Moscow is considering possible reciprocal measures in response to Estonia's decision.
The AI supervision at Lefortovo is a rare move, usually reserved for high-profile cases or diplomats involved in significant incidents. However, the specific AI system being used for the supervision is not specified.
The Russian diplomats, despite the current situation, have expressed their intention to continue assisting and protecting the interests of tens of thousands of compatriots in Estonia. The Lefortovo detention facility, known for its harsh conditions and lack of transparency, has been criticized in the past.
Estonia has informed its partners and allies about the incident as part of its broader diplomatic communication. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, diplomatic relations between Estonia and Russia have deteriorated, including the downgrading of diplomatic ties and mutual ambassadorial expulsions.
- The controversy over the expulsion of Dmitry Prilepin, the First Secretary of the Russian embassy in Estonia, has escalated into a political issue, with both countries expressing their opposing views in the realm of general-news.
- The ongoing diplomatic tension between Russia and Estonia has led to a policy shift, as Moscow considers possible retaliatory measures against Estonia's expulsion of a Russian diplomat, potentially impacting the broader international relations landscape.
