EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — In any discussion of the potential threat Russia poses beyond Ukraine, the three Baltic states are at the top of the list. With the possible exception of Poland, no other nations have been as menaced by Moscow over the past century. For five decades Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were under the powerful boot of Soviet communism, and they were among the first Soviet republics to rise up against Moscow in the waning years of the U.S.S.R. They are also Russia’s neighbors, and while Lithuania was once a major European power (see the 15th-century Grand Duchy of Lithuania), today the three countries combined are dwarfed in size and population by Ukraine.
All of which helps explain why the Baltic nations see themselves as fragile frontline states in the struggle against Russian aggression – real and potential. They have been among the strongest supporters of the Ukrainian resistance, and in a small but telling sign this week, Lithuania’s defense minister said the Baltic countries should shoot down any Russian drones that drift into their airspace. That followed the recent news that a Russian drone had crashed in Latvian territory.
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The post Baltic Fear of Russia: ‘It’s Not Just Theoretical Anymore’ appeared first on The Cipher Brief.
As tensions continue to simmer in the Baltic region, the fear of Russian aggression remains a very real concern for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The history of Soviet oppression lingers in their collective memory, fueling their determination to resist any potential encroachment from Moscow. Their solidarity with Ukraine exemplifies their commitment to standing up against external threats.
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