Estonia unmasks record number of Russian spies

The report specifically mentioned online misinformation targeting Narva, a border city with a majority population of Russian speakers. In recent weeks, an online campaign promoting the secession of Narva and the surrounding Ida-Viru county has drawn attention in Estonia and beyond. Prime Minister Kristen Michal spoke out publicly against the separatist movement, which he described as “an information operation created by Russia to sow discord.”

“For the adversary, having such campaigns amplified by mainstream media is considered a success, as it enhances the credibility and reach of hostile messages,” the KAPO report stated.

Estonia’s secret services noted Russian intelligence operations are being largely conducted remotely and often rely on the covert use of civilians. According to the report, Moscow recruited pensioners across the country to photograph damage to Soviet war monuments, collecting material which was later used in a Russian propaganda campaign that accused Estonia of deliberately vandalizing historical sites.

The spike in the detection of Russian operatives does not necessarily reflect an increase in Kremlin-directed activity in the country. The reports’ authors said that the elevated number of apprehensions underscores “the preventive effectiveness of Estonia’s internal security efforts.”

“The overall threat picture has not changed. Estonia’s principal adversary remains the same – it was, is, and for the foreseeable future will continue to be Russia with its imperialist mindset,” the report emphasized.