Russia Estonia EU NATO NATO & EU Russian Federation
Estonia
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Russia Estonia EU NATO NATO & EU Russian Federation Estonia
Global overview
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Theatre overview Europe is the world's second-smallest
continent by surface area, covering about 2% of the Earth's
surface. Of Europe's 50 countries, Russia is the largest by both
area and population, taking up 40% of the continent. Europe is the
third- most populous continent after Asia and Africa, with a
population of 739 743 million or about 11% of the world's
population. The Baltics
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Regional overview Geography: The Baltic states are northeastern
region of Europe. They contain the countries of Estonia, Latvia,
and Lithuania situated on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.
Environment: The Baltic region is dotted with more than 7,000 lakes
and countless peat bogs, swamps, and marshes. Despite its extensive
agriculture, the Baltic region remains more than one-third forested
Climate: Cool and damp with are moderate to cold temperatures,
rarely exceeding 80 degrees. Animals that inhabit the region are
elk, boar, roe deer, wolves, hares, and badgers
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Population overview Population Distribution Estonia: 1.4
Million 70% Estonian 25% Russian 5% Other Latvia: 2 million 61%
Latvian 26% Russian 3% Belarusian 9% Other Lithuania: 3 Million 84%
Lithuanian 7% Polish 6% Russian 3% Other
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Estonia Population overview Population Distribution The
population of Estonia is generally based around the major cities of
Tallinn, Tartu, Parnu and Narva. Larger ethnic Russian populations
can be found in Narva, Paldiski, and around various former
industrial centers along the Russian-Estonian border.
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1914 WWI; the Allies (UK, France, Russia) vs. the Central
Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary). 1918 Feb Germany occupies
Estonia during WWI. 1918 Nov 1920 Jan Estonian War of Independence;
Estonians declared independence from Russia. Estonian forces beat
back German and Russian armies aided at critical points by Great
Britain. 1920 Feb - The Treaty of Tartu. The treaty between Russia
and Estonia recognized the independence of Estonia. Delineation of
borders took place. 1939 Treaty of non-aggression between Germany
and the USSR divides Europe into spheres of influence, with the
Baltics left to the Russians. WWII begins. 1940 Russia annexes
Estonia, stationing approx. 100,000 troops within the borders of
Estonia. 1941 First mass deportations of Estonians by the secret
police, targeting the elite. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INFO
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1941 - 1944 As part of WWII, Germans occupy Estonia and
eventually defeat Russian forces there. 1944 Russians return to
Estonia and remove German military forces; Estonia is deemed part
of the Soviet Union. 1949 Second mass deportations of Estonians by
Russians 1987 First open protests against Russian rule during the
so-called Phosphorite wars protests against Russian plans for
mining of phosphorus in Estonia (as well as Latvia and Lithuania).
1988 New Estonian popular front for independence emerges, leads to
the Singing Revolution and other peaceful rallies and protests.
1990 Using the cover of instability within Russia, a transition to
independence is declared by the Estonian legislature, although the
Russian government does not recognize this transition. 1991 Fall of
The Soviet Union. Erodes Russian authority in Estonia.
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RECENT BACKGROUND INFO 2007 APR Relocation plans for the Bronze
Soldier Russian War Memorial cause night riots in central Tallinn,
Estonia, between young Russian minorities and Estonian authorities.
2012 NOV Spy scandal takes place. 2 Estonian embassy workers in
Russia are accused as spies and kicked out of Russia, raising
tensions between the countries. 2012 DEC A major cyber attack
cripples Estonian information systems infrastructure. Russia denies
taking part and counter-accuses Estonia of provocations. 2014 FEB
Russia invades Crimea in the Ukraine, citing R2P and its obligation
to protect Russian citizens from aggressive Ukrainian government
citizenship, language, and cultural practices. 2014 MAR The US,
independent of NATO, sent 6 fighter jets and a refueling aircraft
to augment the four already participating in the Baltic Air
Policing mission
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Recent Events 2014-Present NATO and international build-up of
forces include: US-led NATO forces stationed in Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, and Poland named Operation Atlantic Resolve. SEP 2014
Russian agents kidnap Estonian intelligence officer in a
cross-border raid. Russia says the man was caught spying on its
territory FEB 2015 Estonia holds a military parade in border town
of Narva, just 300 meters from the Russian border; military parade
was dedicated to Estonia's Independence Day MAR 2015 month-long US
Air Force Joint Training exercise takes place in Estonia. Ground
targets at the Estonian defense forces' central training ground
were destroyed from the air using live ammunition for the first
time in the history of Estonia since the country regained its
independence MAY 2015 Various NATO and Russian exercises such as
Hedgehog, Dynamic Mongoose, and Baltic Fortress begin. Tensions
between Baltic States and Russia escalate.
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Friendly Force Laydown- Estonia
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US SOF Partnership with ESTSOF 10 th Special Forces Group (ABN)
maintains an enduring ODA presence within the Estonian Special
Forces Group in Tallinn, Estonia. At least 1 ODA will rotate on a 6
month basis, with up to 5 and an AOB during major NATO
exercises.
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Friendly Force Laydown- Estonia Baltic Defense College
Multinational military college, established by Baltic in 1999. It
acts as a center of strategic and operational research and provides
professional military education to intermediate- and senior-level
officers and government officials from the three Baltic states and
from NATO and EU countries
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Friendly Force Laydown- Estonia NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense
Centre of Excellence Mission is to enhance the capability,
cooperation and information sharing among NATO nations and partners
in cyber defense by virtue of education, research and development,
lessons learned and consultation.
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Friendly Force Laydown- Estonia
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Estonian Defense League: The Estonian Defense League (EDL or
kaitseliit) is a part of the Defense Forces, a voluntary,
militarily organized, national defense organization operating under
the Ministry of Defense. The EDL has arms, engages in military
exercises and fulfils the tasks prescribed by the National Defense
League Act. There are 13,000 members in the Estonian Defense
League. Together with affiliated organizations Womens Home Defense,
Young Eagles, and Home Daughters, the Estonian Defense League has
more than 21,000 volunteers in action
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Threat SIGACTS JAN 15: The British Royal Air Force intercepted
Russian fighter jets as they approached UK air space, second time
in a week. SEP 14: Estonia says the FSB, seized Estonian intel
officer at gunpoint near border FEB 14: Russia invades and seizes
Crimea from Ukraine Present: Ukrainian forces continue to fight
Russian separatists from control of Eastern Ukraine DEC 14: Russian
military aircraft turned off its transponders nearly collided with
a passenger jet AUG 14: Finland scrambles jet after Russian jets
repeatedly violated its airspace OCT 14: submarine hunt by Swedish
authorities NOV 14: Portugals navy escorted a Russian ship out of
its waters after the vessel came within 22 km of the coast. MAR
14:close call between passenger a/c and Russian recon a/c without
transponder APR 14: Russian fighter made low passes of the American
warship the USS Cook JUL 14: armed Russian aircraft intercepted a
Swedish surveillance plane conducting operations in international
airspace near Latvia