Narva on the abyss: Is the Estonian city in front of Russia's anger?

Narva on the abyss: Is the Estonian city in front of Russia's anger?

in Estonia, the situation is dramatic: the city of Narva, a strategically important point on the NATO east flank, is becoming more and more a scene of geopolitical tensions. The Estonian government is already planning to increase its defense spending next year to five percent of gross domestic product, as reported by the Krone . Former army chief Riho Terras underlined that Estonia is determined to defend himself against possible Russian aggression: "We defend ourselves. We will do this with and without allies." The presence of British, French and American soldiers in Estonia increases this determination. This happens in the context of a long existing "silent war" in which Russia repeatedly uses provocative tactics.

fear and uncertainty in Narva

The fears of the Narva residents are tangible. According to the real estate agent Vadim Senitšenkov, real estate offers in the border town increase, as many owners react concerned to political instability. "There are currently almost 600 resale, a record high," he reports. At the same time, according to Merkur the tensions between Estonia and Russia, whereby surveillance maneuvers and the removal of border infrastructure are on the agenda. Since the Ukraine conflict, the number of such incidents has increased: from 18 in the past two years to 96. According to the General Director of the Estonian police, Egert Belitsev, these measures are part of a plan to undermine the stability at the border.

The almost completely Russian -speaking population of Narva is unsettled. Threats against local cultural institutions and public confessing to democratic values ​​illustrate the creeping risks of a more open conflict. The Narva Museum, which protests against Vladimir Putin with a banner, is under pressure, while the threats to his director, Dr. Maria Smorzhevskikh-Smirnova. In this tense situation, NATO's willingness to react to a possible aggressive act of Russia is of crucial importance, since an attack on Estonia has not only had far-reaching military consequences, but could also activate the NATO contract.