THE NEW IRON CURTAIN

For a long time part of the Soviet Union, Estonia it’s in the middle of the new Cold War

EUROPE | ESTONIA | SOCIAL ISSUES | CURRENT AFFAIRS

Estonia, Ämari NATO base, air-traffic controller Juta Vinni in the control tower of the airport.

There’s a new Iron Curtain in Europe, and it’s in Estonia, one of the Baltic states bordering Russia. Estonia is a EU and NATO member, it was for a long time part of the Soviet Union, and it’s right in the middle of the new Cold War between Washington and Moscow. After Crimea, Estonia (a country including at its Eastern border a huge presence of Russian-speaking, pro-Putin, not-integrated people) fears to be the next victim of Russian "expansionism". Along the Baltic border (the only one where NATO and Russia are physically face-to-face) the North Atlantic Alliance is intensifying its military presence. In Estonia military exercises ramped up, and militias volunteers’ number grows day after day. Overreaction? “Russia’s military budget triplicated in the last decade. We’ve been occupied by Soviets once, – it’s the answer of a corporal of the Estonian Army – we don’t want it to happen again. As Romans said: if you want peace, prepare for war”.

Võru (Estonia), a moment during the shooting of a movie by Estonian director Moonika Siimets. It takes place in the USSR period, and tells the story of an Estonian woman sent to Siberia.

Tallinn (Estonia), Anti-Putin matches packs for sale out of the abandoned prison of Patarei.

Võru (Estonia), members of a Estonian militia during a military celebration.

Narva (Estonia), the bridge along the Narva river, connecting the namesake Estonian city with the Russian town of Ivangorod.

Narva (Estonia), a religious ceremony in the orthodox cathedral of Voskresensky.

Võru (Estonia), recruits of the Estonian Army training near the Russian border.

Narva (Estonia), Bowling Club, a group of Russian-speaking youngsters playing bowling at night.

Narva (Estonia), Russian-speaking ballerinas preparing for a show at the Geneva theather.

Tallinn (Estonia), an operating theather inside the abandoned prison of Patarei, in use during USSR period.

Narva (Estonia), two women in a gym facing the Narva river observing the Russian fortress of Ivangorod.

Estonia, Ämari NATO base, the arrival of a German Eurofighter Typhoon back from a reconnaissance flight.

Võru (Estonia), a forest along the road to Piusa.

Narva (Estonia), the orthodox cathedral of Voskresensky.

Tallinn (Estonia), the Seaplane Harbour Museum, hosted in an old hangar for seaplanes. At the center, the Estonian submarine Lembit, built in 1936.

Kolkja (Estonia), an elderly woman of Russian origin exit her house on the lake Peipus: half the house is in Russia, half in Estonia.

Narva (Estonia), Lenin’s statue in the courtyard of the castle of Hermann.

Narva (Estonia), two Russian speaking ladies at an exhibition in the Geneva cultural centre.

Tallinn (Estonia), the Seaplane Harbour Museum, hosted in an old hangar for seaplanes: here it’s possible to simulate a shooting with an old machine gun.

Estonia, Ämari NATO base, a German Eurofighter Typhoon almost ready for a reconnaissance flight.

Võru (Estonia), a young woman smoking at the entrance of a council house inhabited mostly by Russian-speaking people.

Tallinn (Estonia), a huge Lenin head at the Museum of Occupations.

Narva (Estonia), two young girls dressed in traditional costumes before a show at the Geneva theather.

Võru (Estonia), Estonian Army members at the end of a military celebration.

Tallinn (Estonia), a man is waiting in front of the front door of a council house in a suburb. The building is inhabited mostly by Russian-speaking people.

Narva (Estonia), Bowling Club, a child with make-up during a birthday party.

Narva (Estonia), Narva (Estonia), Bowling Club, a young woman playing with a videogame.

Piusa (Estonia), the old sand caves used during the Soviet period as weapons and food depot.

Võru (Estonia), a marching band preparing their show for a military celebration.

Narva-Jõesuu (Estonia), young women preparing for a folklore show during a festival.

Narva (Estonia), old Russian-speaking ladies waiting for a bus in the north side of the town.

Võru (Estonia), members of an Estonian volunteer’s militia during a military celebration.

Tallinn (Estonia), inside the Estonian submarine Lembit, built in 1936, hosted by the Seaplane Harbour Museum, located in an old hangar for seaplanes.

Estonia, Ämari NATO base, recruits of the Estonian Army during training.

Narva (Estonia), a child in need playing at the Mercy Center charity.

Narva (Estonia), kids playing football in front of the old town hall.

Narva (Estonia), a young woman jogging along the Narva river, separating the namesake Estonian city from the Russian town of Ivangorod. To connect them, a bridge.

Narva (Estonia), two Russian-speaking youngsters take some pictures in front of a Soviet Tank T-34, still there in memory of World War II.