KI short logo

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

More from Eastern Europe

NewsLetters

News Feed

Saturday, January 17

Ukrainian sanctions target Russian sports ahead of Winter Olympics

"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation, thus destroying the principles and values ​​of the Olympic movement."

Rise and fall of Yulia Tymoshenko, the 'founding figure of Ukrainian populism'

It’s hard to imagine Ukraine’s political scene without Yulia Tymoshenko. A veteran politician, Tymoshenko has held a variety of government posts, serving as the country’s prime minister twice, being defeated in a presidential runoff back in 2010, and leading the country's opposition at different times. On Jan. 14, Tymoshenko was charged with bribery — the third trial of her tumultuous 30-year political career. Tymoshenko, now the 65-year-old leader of the Batkivshchyna party represented by 25

Yuliia Tymoshenko in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Embassies say they are staying in Kyiv despite energy crisis, extreme cold, Russian attacks

Foreign embassies based in Kyiv say they are not evacuating staff despite worsening power outages, damage to energy infrastructure, and forecasts of extreme cold, according to responses obtained by the Kyiv Independent. The statements come as Ukraine’s energy situation worsens amid repeated Russian mass strikes, with a state of emergency declared on Jan. 14 and weather forecasts warning that late January temperatures could drop below –20 degrees Celsius (–4 degrees Fahrenheit). Kyiv hosts the

A view of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 24, 2022.

Most Popular

Editors' Picks

News Feed