Eastern Europe

The bridge connecting Estonia with Russia is seen in Narva, Estonia, on July 24, 2024.
Eastern Europe

In Estonia’s border town, Russian-speaking majority enjoys NATO’s shield, remains mute on Russia’s threat

by Maria Yeryoma

NARVA, Estonia — On both sides of the Narva River, fishermen stand knee-deep in the water between two medieval castles just 101 meters apart. Above them, the flags mark where NATO ends and Russia begins. For years, experts have been warning of the so-called "Narva scenario" — a plan in which Russia might attempt to grab an Estonian border city using its old tune, "protecting the Russian-speaking population." Following Europe's inability to handle Russia's now recurring drone incursions, the mo

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Ukraine war latest: Russian losses in Ukraine 'astonishing,' former MI6 chief says

Key developments on Feb. 11 * Russian losses in Ukraine 'astonishing,' former MI6 chief says; * Russian strike on Kharkiv Oblast killed 3 toddlers and their father, pregnant mother injured; * Ukraine confirms drone strike on Russia's Volgograd oil refinery, Rubicon barracks in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast; * Europe has identified sites to train Ukrainian troops inside Ukraine, EU top diplomat says; * SBU sends text warning Russians are trying to recruit Ukrainians to register Starlink term

Zelensky won't announce elections on war anniversary amid talks of US-driven timeline

Editor's Note: The article was updated following President Volodymyr Zelensky's comments. As of now, President Volodymyr Zelensky does not plan to announce presidential elections or a referendum on a possible peace deal with Russia on Feb. 24, a source in the President's Office familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent on Feb. 11. The comment came after the Financial Times reported that Kyiv was preparing to hold both votes this spring and that Zelensky could unveil the plan on the fo

How 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin' struggles with uncomfortable truths of wartime Russia

"I wish I could be as brave as them," says Pavel Talankin, a school videographer in the industrial town of Karabash, speaking of Russians who protested the invasion of Ukraine in its first days. "But I'm not." The line is not self-pitying so much as diagnostic, and it becomes the foundation of"Mr. Nobody Against Putin," an Academy Award-nominated documentary that offers one of the clearest portraits of how Russian authoritarianism sustains itself not through mass fanaticism, but through routine

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