Russian narratives today
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Associate Professor at Tallinn University of Technology
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Associate Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at University of Tartu
Between 2020 and 2025, Russia’s strategic influence operations in Estonia have reflected a wider geopolitical contest between authoritarian assertiveness and liberal democracies.
Rooted in the Kremlin’s perception of NATO and EU expansion as existential threats, Russia has targeted Estonia as a symbolic and practical outpost of the West. Exploiting societal cleavages—especially within the Russian-speaking community—Moscow has employed disinformation, fear narratives, and political proxies to challenge Estonia’s cohesion. Despite media bans and state vigilance, Russian propaganda continues to permeate via social media and cultural touchpoints, seeking to undermine trust in institutions and promote a nostalgic, imperial worldview. These tactics echo broader destabilisation efforts seen in Ukraine and other frontline states. While public support for Kremlin-aligned political actors in Estonia remains limited, notable electoral gains and espionage scandals underscore the persistent and adaptive nature of Russia’s hybrid warfare.