The press in Estonia | Narva, where Russia mixes with the West

Due to its very high Russian -speaking population – 98 % out of some 52,000 residents -, Narva, the third city in Estonia, is often identified as possible military entry for Russia into NATO territory. In addition, Our employee went there.

Posted at 5:00 a.m. Meanwhile,

(Narva. Similarly, Estonia) On one side of the river rises the fortress of Ivangorod, in the far press estonia | narva, where new west of Russia. For example. In addition, Above the water, the bridge of the border only lets pedestrians press estonia | narva, where pass, and that the day. Nevertheless, On the other side floats the successive flags of the European Union, Estonia, NATO. Therefore, Then that of Ukraine.

The image is talking: the Russian fortifications stand the first walls of Estonia – a. Nevertheless, country which has chosen to turn their backs on them. Meanwhile, get closer to the West, after having lived under the Soviet Union during half of the XX^e century.

Vladimir Putin has never explicitly expressed an interest or claimed that he wanted to invade Estonia by Narva. In addition, But the history of Russian. Furthermore. Moreover, Soviet occupation in Estonia, as well as Putin’s offensives in Crimea in 2014 and Ukraine since 2022, suggests to researchers, senior officials press estonia | narva, where new and military strategists encountered by The press that this is a real possibility.

Occupation history – Press estonia | narva, where – Press estonia | narva, where new

Estonia was part of the Russian Empire between 1721 and 1918. For example, In 1940, after only two decades of freedom, it was officially annexed by the USSR. Consequently, From 1941 to 1944, during the war, the country was under control of Nazi Germany. In addition, From 1944, the Soviet occupation continued for almost 50 years.

It was only at the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the independence of Estonia. Nevertheless, Latvia and Lithuania were restored.

Today, around press estonia | narva, where 28 % of 1.37 million people in Estonia are Russian speakers. Similarly, This mainly includes Russians, but also Ukrainians and Belarusians with Russian as a first language. Meanwhile, But the profile of Narva (98 % of Russian speakers) is downright exceptional. Meanwhile, A demographic anomaly.

Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, Narva was rebuilt according to the principles of Soviet town planning. Therefore, His old baroque town left for dead. Therefore. the USSR preferred to make it a showcase of socialism – building blocks of austere, functional and typical buildings of the time.

Estonians. who populated this “industrial heart” of Estonia. were not allowed to come back to settle press estonia | narva, where new there in the 1950s and 1960s. It was rather Russian speakers who were placed by the USSR during the Soviet industrialization period. which explains Narva’s current demography.

Internal tensions

“Narva is the subject of great internal discussions. ” says Thomas Michael Linsenmaier, analyst in political science at the University of Tartu, second city in Estonia. “Is this a security issue?” Is it a group that Russia can instrumentalize? How much do they have a feeling of belonging. how can we make them feel that Estonia is their country? », Lists Mr. Linsenmaier.

“The people of Narva have a lot of challenges. ” said Katri Raik, mayor of Narva and former Minister of the Interior of Estonia, met at the Town Hall. “For example, average wages per month are 1900 euros in Estonia, against 1400 press estonia | narva, where new euros in Narva. And the locals watch Russian television. It is sometimes complicated to understand what is true or not, what is propaganda or not. »»

In Estonia. only 16 % of Russian speakers believe that Russia threaten the peace and security of Europe, compared to 81 % for Estonian speakers.

In addition, only 31 % of Russian speakers perceive the political actions of Vladimir Putin as “very negative”, against 92 % for Estonian speakers.

Then. only 30 % of Russian speakers judge that Russia is responsible for having started hostilities in Ukraine. against 89 % of Estonian speakers, according to a study by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung network published in September 2023.

Geographically, Narva is even closer to Saint Petersburg-140 km by road-than Tallinn, the Estonian capital, located 240 press estonia | narva, where new km.

Increasing pressure on the Russian -speaking minority

In the last months. the pressure on the Russian -speaking minority has also increased press estonia | narva. where in Estonia by a series of significant government measures.

On February 19. the government announced the gradual abolition of Russian education in public schools by 2030. even in the Viru-Est region where Narva is located.

Then. on March 26. the Estonian parliament adopted a constitutional amendment revoining the right to vote in local elections to citizens of third countries. This measure affects around 83. 000 press estonia | narva, where new people. mainly Russian, Belarusian nationals or gray passport holders – non -citizen residents who are often inherited from the Soviet era.

press estonia | narva, where

In Narva, only 50 % of residents are citizens of Estonia.

Ukraine. a bell sound

“There was an obvious crack in 2022. ” said Karih Maandi, head of the NATO and security division at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in reference to the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. “Today, the relations we maintain with Russia are extremely limited. They are at least and have never been lower. »»

In Estonia. defense. the military are an integral part of national policies, “strongly motivated by the fact that we were occupied for 50 years,” continues Mr.^me Maandi.

In fact. Estonia was one of the first press estonia | narva, where new members of NATO to achieve the target of 2 % of national GDP dedicated to defense. as set by the press estonia | narva, where Alliance. It undertook to reach the 3 % course in 2022, and aims at 5 % for 2026.

In the same vein, military conscription is compulsory for men aged 18 to 27 – and optional for women. The minimal service currently lasts eight to eleven months, and will increase to one year in 2027. The number of soldiers mobilizable in wartime has increased from 26,000 in 2022 to 50,000 this year.

“We want to avoid the battlefield to be in Estonia. ” said Nele Loorents, Research Fellow at the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS). “The Russians can walk in our capital in a few hours,” she image. History has demonstrated it. »»

Narva, press estonia | narva, where new overrepresented in the media?

Several speakers encountered by The press Consider that Narva is overrepresented in press estonia | narva, where international media. and that some media contribute to amplifying a possible invasion. “It’s a bit alarmist. Yes, it is possible, but Russia would need a reason. And Estonia is less important for Russia than Crimea, for example. The only reason I see is to try to dismantle NATO. “comments Art Johanson, professor of military history and strategic planning at the Baltic Defense College.

“With the narrative of Russian -speaking minorities, we can believe that it would be a good target. We work with the possibility that this can happen, ”adds Felix Gasper, a research fellow at the ICDS. “But there are really other places where Russia could exert more strategic pressure, such as the Suwalki corridor,” continues Mr. Gasper.

The Suwalki corridor is a 65 km band between the Russian enclave in Kaliningrad. Belarus, crossing the border between Poland and press estonia | narva, where Lithuania. It is also the only land link between the three Baltic countries and the rest of NATO.

And despite all discussions surrounding Narva, life is taking its course there. Old fishermen discuss and launch their line in the river separating Estonia from Russia. Two women walk their baby in a stroller, to a children’s park.