Approved event from Hybrid War Tracker
Headline: Estonia’s Russian-Speaking Community Silenced by Expulsions – ‘Narva Has Become a Silenced City’
Short Summary: Estonia's expulsions of pro-Russian actors silence Narva's Russian-speaking community in January 2026 amid security concerns.
Extended Summary: By mid-January 2026, Estonia has carried out visible and intensified expulsions of individuals with pro-Russian sympathies, particularly in the border city of Narva. These actions are driven by national security priorities in response to the ongoing Russian aggression and influence operations. The Internal Security Service (KaPo), along with ministries such as justice and immigration, have been actively involved in identifying and expelling persons suspected of undermining Estonia's security. Consequently, groups within Narva's large Russian-speaking population have become notably silent and subdued. This approach differs from Finland's more cautious policy regarding Russian influence and demonstrates Estonia's firm stance on combating hybrid threats. The expulsions contribute to a significant reduction in Russian-messaging activities and social unrest risks on Estonia's eastern border.
In January 2026, Estonia intensified expulsions of pro-Russian individuals, leading to a silencing of the Russian-speaking community in Narva, a border city with Russia. The expulsions targeted individuals accused of supporting Russian aggression and involved moves by the Estonian Internal Security Service (KaPo) and government authorities. This crackdown effectively transformed Narva into a 'silenced city' as pro-Kremlin voices diminished significantly. The Estonian approach contrasts with Finland's more reserved stance on such expulsions. The measures reflect Estonia's heightened national security concerns and efforts to counter Russian influence and information operations amid ongoing regional tensions.
Classified as aggressor because the event describes ongoing harmful Russian influence operations and pro-Russian actors posing a threat to Estonia’s national security. Classified as defense because Estonia undertakes active defense preparations through expulsions, security agency actions, and policy measures aimed at countering Russian hybrid threats.
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