Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas recently highlighted the increasing threat of sabotage, electronic warfare, and spying from Russia, as her nation borders the country and has experienced such attacks. With tensions escalating due to the conflict in Ukraine, frontline nations like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland are fortifying their defenses.
Kallas described Russia’s tactics as a “shadow war” against the West, involving cyberattacks, election interference, and disinformation campaigns. The West is urged to take a coordinated approach to address these hybrid threats and increase intelligence sharing among nations.
Despite challenges in identifying Russian agents working under diplomatic cover, Estonia has been vigilant in countering espionage activities. Initiatives like limiting visas for Russian envoys and imposing separate sanctions on intermediaries may serve as deterrents.
Reflecting on previous attacks orchestrated by Russian intelligence, experts emphasize the need for a proactive international task force to combat foreign influence operations. The collective effort to expose and deter Russian aggression is crucial in maintaining unity and stability in the face of these covert attacks.