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: Kyiv hit rare Russian Il-38N recon plane before sinking submarine, SBU reveals

Hello, this is Kateryna Hodunova reporting from Kyiv on day 1,399 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: Ukrainian forces struck Russia's sole Il-38N reconnaissance aircraft in the Black Sea on the eve of a submarine's destruction during the Dec. 15 operation, a source from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 23. Ukrainian underwater drones, known as "Sub Sea Baby," struck a 636.3-class submarine, Varshavyanka — classified as a Kilo-

Chart of the week: What did Ukrainians search online in 2025?

This year saw Donald Trump's return to the presidency, a shouting match with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, and the famed U.S.-Ukraine "minerals deal." There were talks in Istanbul, Alaska, Miami, Geneva — almost Budapest — and peace plans of all shapes and sizes. Meanwhile, Russian troops steadily advanced westwards, encircled Pokrovsk, hunted civilians with drones in a "human safari," and claimed to have taken the front-line city Kupiansk as the year came to a close — only

What did Ukrainians Google in 2025?
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