Estonian Security Police Identifies russia As the Main Threat to the Country

The Estonian Security Police has identified russia as the main threat to the country’s internal security. This is stated in the KAPO (Kaitsepolitseiamet)’s annual report. The document contains an analysis of threats, including russian influence, cyber threats, and extremism.

According to the Estonian special service, the kremlin is trying to destabilize Europe through hybrid operations and undermine the collective will to support Ukraine. russia is also doing its best to destroy the European security architecture and create a non-NATO zone in Europe. As a result, arson, vandalism, and sabotage organized under the guidance of russian military intelligence were recorded in the EU in 2024.

KAPO points out that russian special services’ intelligence interest in Estonia remains unchanged. In 2024 alone, the Security Police brought the cases of five russian agents to court.

The analysis pays special attention to the rf state structures’ destructive work with russian-speaking youth. In particular, moscow actively invites young people from neighboring countries to allegedly entertaining or educational events. The aim is to use them in the future to influence the policies of the countries where they live. In Estonia, this activity is managed by the russian embassy in the country.

In this context, the kremlin actively offers various online and offline programs, contests, excursions, olympiads and other propaganda events. Free trips to russia are presented as winnings in contests or competitions, although in reality they take everyone who can be lured. Young people are attracted first of all through the Internet.

Among the rf’s large-scale projects in working with Estonian youth, KAPO points out the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The kremlin is planning massive visits of young people from other countries to russia to attend propaganda events. The aim is to create the illusion of those countries’ support for the aggressor state.

Also, since 2022, the Estonian Security Police has been monitoring the russian project “train of memory,” which in russia is equated in terms of importance for propaganda with the “st. george’s ribbon” campaign and the “immortal regiment”’s marches.

The involvement of Estonian children and youth is evidence of the kremlin’s attempts to form narratives favorable to russia among Estonia’s younger generation. At the same time, the kremlin will continue to use its special services to conduct operations in Estonia, including arson, sabotage, cyber attacks, and recruitment of people.