In the city of Narva, located near the border with Russia in Estonia, most residents speak Russian as their primary language and many hold Russian citizenship. Tensions between Estonia and Russia have a long history, dating back to a referendum in 1993 where Narva voted to align with Russia, which was rejected by Estonia. Since then, separatist sentiments have calmed down but the threat from Russia remains, with the border bridge closed to vehicles and security measures in place.
With the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Putin, tensions have escalated again. Western governments are concerned about potential Russian aggression and have provided aid to Ukraine, fearing a similar attack on NATO members like Estonia. In response, Estonia has focused on enhancing its defenses and readiness in case of a military threat. With NATO troops deployed in the Baltic states, there is a collective effort to deter any aggression from Russia.
Estonia has also faced cyber attacks from Russia, leading to arrests of individuals recruited by Moscow for unrest. The country is focused on enhancing its defenses and readiness in case of a military threat. While conflict seems unlikely in the immediate future, preparations are in place to protect Estonia and its citizens.
Narva’s population has a mix of Estonian citizens and Russian speakers, with tensions between the two groups. While public displays of support for Putin are banned in Estonia, sympathies towards him are present in Narva. The city’s history and demographics create a complex dynamic, with concerns about potential conflict and the impact on residents. Despite these concerns