Today, Propastop publishes the third overview in its series introducing Russian-language YouTube channels operating in Estonia (you can see the previous two overviews HERE and HERE). Propastop’s analysis shows that Russian-language video content is becoming increasingly diverse, covering news, street interviews, and full-length original programs. Today, we have selected three popular YouTube channels that regularly publish journalistic content in various formats and shape the information space of the Russian-speaking audience in Estonia.
The YouTube channel Kaldre TV has been active for 14 years and has gained 15,800 subscribers during that time. In her broadcasts, Ilona Kaldre shares opinions on current affairs, criticizes Estonian and European politicians, and frequently references foreign sources whose views align with her own. For example, Kaldre recently echoed a statement by the Italian Minister of Defense, claiming that “there is no longer politics or defense in Europe.” Although Kaldre TV does not directly relay content from Russian state media channels, Kaldre’s views often align with key Kremlin narratives. This is evident both in her own commentary and in the selection of quotes she features.
For instance, Kaldre said the following about Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: “Her initiatives often sound absurd. […] But the paradox is that through her unrestrained anti-Russian activism, she is unintentionally working for the very people she is trying to harm.” This interpretation directly echoes Russian media rhetoric, which claims that the allegedly Russophobic EU policy ultimately harms Europeans themselves.
Kaldre TV regularly publishes Russian-language video clips at a frequency of 2–3 times per week. The average number of views reaches several thousand, but more provocative episodes, such as her recent video titled “Six Months Until the War Begins. We Don’t Want to Die”—can garner up to 20,000 views. Although the channel’s description states that the author talks about hobbies and shares recipes, in reality, a large portion of the videos focus on politics. The rest of the content can be described as emotional reflections on miscellaneous topics—for example, a discussion titled “We All Come from Childhood.”
The YouTube channel “В итоге” (“In the End”) is run by media expert and lecturer Vitali Belobrovtsev, who is the father of Vadim Belobrovtsev, a member of the Riigikogu and the Centre Party. The Russian-language videos in this series are published on average once a week and last about 15–20 minutes (some are also dubbed into English). The format of the program is analytical: the author discusses current political and social events, drawing on information published in the media and aiming to present different perspectives.
Here is an example from a video published by Vitali Belobrovtsev in July, in which he commented on President Alar Karis’s criticism of the decision by PERH (the North Estonia Medical Centre) to serve patients only in Estonian (Karis remarked that veterinarians also do not know the language of animals, yet still help them). “I find myself at a loss in taking a position here,” Belobrovtsev said ironically. “Did the president compare the staff of a national hospital to veterinarians or the patients to animals?”
On average, the videos on “В итоге” receive around 12,000 views, but some episodes on particularly hot topics, such as “Why Was Kaja Kallas Not Allowed into the USA?” reach up to 65,000 viewers. The channel has 8,500 subscribers.
A distinctive feature of “В итоге” is the widespread social media technique of using (Soviet) film scenes as ironic commentary on current news. This common approach resonates especially with older generations of viewers who recognize and appreciate classic Soviet cinema.
The YouTube channel rus.Postimees has been active for just over a year and has already gathered 13,600 subscribers. On average, rus.Postimees publishes videos 4 to 6 times each week.
The channel offers viewers a diverse range of formats: street interviews on current topics, a crime podcast, interviews with experts and politicians, and more. Various reporters host the programs, and the host often remains behind the camera, which gives the stories a documentary-like and trustworthy feel. On average, rus.Postimees videos receive up to 1,000 views, but for example, crime podcast episodes can reach up to 15,000 views.
The channel is a successful complement to the rus.Postimees online publication, offering viewers a visually engaging perspective on events in Estonia and around the world.
Which Russian-language YouTube channels made in Estonia do you watch, or which ones are you interested in? Please write to us at [email protected], and we’ll share your interesting YouTube channel recommendations with our readers!
