Russia-backed 'Narva People’s Republic' separatist movement emerges in Estonia mirroring Ukrainian 'People’s Republic' tactics

Since summer 2025, and especially from February 2026, online social media channels have promoted the idea of a 'Narva People’s Republic' as a separatist entity in Estonia's northeast border city Narva, Ida-Virumaa. The campaign uses Telegram as the primary platform, sharing state-like symbols such as flags and coats of arms, a separatist anthem from a 19th century Russian opera, and maps depicting Narva as an independent entity. The messaging mixes internet humor and cultural references with political content advocating autonomy to preserve Russian cultural identity, replicating the tactic Russia used in eastern Ukraine to justify military intervention. While followers remain small in number and there is no evidence of a formal organization on the ground, this information operation represents an attempt to normalize separatism and Russian influence targeting Russian-speaking minorities, reflecting the Baltic region's vulnerability to foreign influence operations.