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Estonia foils Russian special forces 'hybrid operation' inside NATO territory (msn.com)
The Estonian Prime Minister has claimed that her country has foiled a "hybrid operation" by Russian special forces on NATO territory.
According to local media, operatives run by Russian special services were the ones behind an attack carried out on an Estonian minister's car last year. The International Security Service (ISS) confirmed today it had identified those behind the vandalization of cars belonging to Estonia's interior minister and a journalist last year.
In a statement issued to social media, Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said: "Estonia has successfully stopped a hybrid operation by Russia's security services on our territory. We know the Kremlin is targeting all of our democratic societies. Our answer: be open and reveal their methods. This is the way to deter harmful actions and make us resilient."
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (not seen) and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Vienna, Austria on February 08, 2024© Anadolu via Getty Images
In total, 10 people were detained as part of the criminal investigation with the ISS believing they were acting on behalf of the Russian special services. It claimed the purpose of the hybrid operation was to sow fear and create tension in Estonia.
Six of the 10 detainees are said to already be in custody in relation to the incident. Evidence gathered by the ISS suggests they played a variety of roles from gathering information to committing crimes such as smashing the windows of the vehicles and vandalising memorials.
State Prosecutor Triinu Olev said this is a preliminary investigation and will be verified by criminal proceedings, but as proceedings are ongoing, limited information is available. She said: "Proceedings have been initiated under the Penal Code, which deals with offenses against the security of the Republic of Estonia.
Russian servicemen patrol at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Kherson Oblast, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine© AFP via Getty Images
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"We cannot overlook the gravity of the offense under investigation and the fact that, according to the suspects, they were prepared to take part in activities against the security of the Republic of Estonia without thinking about the consequences."
Those who have been arrested are said to be Russian and Estonian citizens, with some holding dual citizenship. ISS Director General Margo Palloson said many of the individuals detained had existing criminal records, with some being Russian residents recruited in Russia while others were approached on social media.
"It is a broader trend today that both Russian and Chinese special services are approaching people through social media," he said. "It was also agreed there what the charges are for attacking different sites. The fee was not significant and certainly not worth the risk. It was a matter of specifically targeted orders to attack a specific object."
File photo of Russian soldiers from the chemical warfare unit© EyePress News/REX/Shutterstock
According to Mr Palloson, there have been several attempted attacks which the ISS has managed to prevent. He explained: "There was a plan to attack specific individuals' vehicles yet, which we foiled. This is a new method of influence. In our assessment, Russia did not achieve its objective."
"Sooner or later we will catch those who try to threaten Estonia's national security," warned Mr Palloson. He added that Russian special services have been attempting to create tension in Estonia in various ways for years, saying there is no wide support for these types of activities and Russia is not achieving its goals, with those who carry them out gaining little from it.
"The Russian service does not care about the fate of the perpetrators, they are used as a tool and the consequences are left to their own devices," he added. Suspects were arrested in Estonia between December and February, with the most recent arrests carried out just last week.
Russian servicemen patrol at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Kherson Oblast, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine© AFP via Getty Images
Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets explained the threat assessment shows Russia has been carrying out operations to sow fear and raise tensions for several years. He said: "This is part of Russia's hybrid attacks, which are not dissimilar to the bomb threats emailed to schools and cyber attacks.
"We as a society should be aware that its main aim is to divide and weaken the unity of society. And if we know this, we can take the news and these actions more pragmatically."
Kaupo Rosin, Director General of the Foreign Intelligence Service warned MPs that similar attacks could take place elsewhere. He said: "The public does not talk about what is happening in other countries. I would say with high confidence that such action has not only been against Estonia but has also been against other countries. Here we are no different."
Läänemet's car was broken into in early December, with a vehicle belonging to the editor-in-chief of the news portal Delfi's Russian-language website, Andrei Šumakov, vandalized the same day. Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) also confirmed it detained a person suspected of desecrating a memorial site in Latvia on behalf of the Russian special services, as well as attempted provocations at memorial sites in other Baltic states. |
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