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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Kyiv Independent launches first vyshyvanka in collaboration with Gaptuvalnya

The Kyiv Independent has added a new item to its merchandise store: a vyshyvanka, Ukraine's traditional embroidered shirt. For this project, we partnered with the fashion embroidery brand Gaptuvalnya to design and create a unique vyshyvanka for the modern world, produced right here in Kyiv.

`The Kyiv Independent deputy chief editor Oleksiy Sorokin wearing the Kyiv Independent's first vyshyvanka

Mobilization in Ukraine: reform prospects, battlefield impact — next KI Insights monthly briefing

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Power dynamics in Russia's regions: into local politics on NATO's border — KI Insights special briefing

KI Insights is planning to expand coverage of Russian political and economic issues. The current briefing is aimed to be the first in a series. If you are interested in learning more or would be open to supporting this direction of work, please contact us at insights@kyivindependent.com. Russia's legislative elections are just 4 months away. Years of full-scale war are increasingly being felt, presenting a challenge to domestic political and socio-economic stability. However, those dynamics are

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