Russia – related networks in Estonia Part 1.

The Internal Security Service regularly refer to various NGOs and individuals engaged in propaganda campaigns or subversive actions in Estonia with support from Russia in their yearbook.

Propastop discovered how complicated it is to get an overview of such organizations. The KAPO yearbooks are available in an awkward pdf format; articles in the press refer only to individuals involved in the more colourful NGO’s. There is not a very good summary of organizations, their interconnections and their leading figures. There are several different named individuals circulating.

In order to improve the situation, we searched the names of the NGOs and foundations mentioned in the Security Police yearbook. We then searched on the public sites of rik.ee and inforegister.ee, for information on who is on the board of the organizations and with which other organizations are they still participating. Finally, we looked for references from the press on the activities of the individuals mentioned by KAPO.

As a result, we reviewed at least six networks, giving them conditional serial numbers and names. Due to the size of the material, we will publish the links over several subsequent postings.

Network 1 „Protestors“

The network is characterized by its activity in organizing and participating in protest actions: the procession of the Immortal Regiment, the anti-NATO „peace march“, organized in the fall, the collection of donations from the Russian occupied eastern Ukrainians. In Tallinn, the Latvian Kremlin minded activist, Aleksandr Gaponenko supported an open protest against Latvian educational reforms.

Key individuals:

Allan Hantsom is the leader of the „Peace March“ and the Immortal Regiment, as well as a leading figure with the Russian language portal rodina.ee and co-author of the propaganda portal Baltnews. As noted in the KAPO yearbook.

Sergei Tšaulin is the main person for organizing the actions on the spot. Tšaulin was a leader of the Kremlin sponsored Movement of the Night Guard, but also participated for example in protests such as the 2017. Õismäe silver willow protest. As noted in the KAPO yearbook.

Aleksei Jessakov is an organizer of processions and a frequent participant in various actions.

Elina Jessakova assists the previously mentioned three. She also actively participates in protests and assists in their organization. In 2016, she attempted at transporting St. George medal ribbons and chocolates sent by Russia Today from Russia into Estonia.

Others participating in the NGOs are Dmitri Gorban, Andrei Kolomainen, Anatoli Loginov and Sergei Seleznjov.

Organisations:

The network is associated with NGO Russian fellow compatriots in Europe, NGO Estonian Indo-European association Rodina and NGO Dobrosvet

Network managed websites:
ruscompatriot.eu, rodina.ee, dobrosvet.ee, mojpolk.eu

Relations with Russia:

Members of the network regularly speak on Russian propaganda channels; in 2018, they took part in Sputnik arranged television talk shows. The Donbass action was synced with the sending of the Russian propagandistic aid convey to occupied eastern Ukraine. They have met with members of the Russian State Duma and given statements. The case of the St. George medal ribbons shows that material assistance is also being given from across the border.

Network 2 „Guard activists“

The network with the largest membership represents Estonia in international organizations and attempts to spread the message there, alluding to as if we intimidate Russian speaking people here or violate their human rights. Several members regularly participate in Russian propaganda media, as well as taking part in protest actions.

Organizations:

The following members of the network were mentioned in the KAPO yearbook: NGO human rights information centre, NGO Russian fellow compatriots residing in Estonia union association, NGO Russian schools in Estonia. Through these individuals there associations with NGO Human Rights protection centre Kitež, NGO Estonian united leftist party, NGO Maardu Russian fellow compatriots association and many others.

Key individuals:

Alisa Blintsova is affiliated with several NGOs. She has participated in protest actions in Estonia and Brussels and provided false and biased information about Estonia in propaganda media.

Mstislav Russakov is associated with several NGOs. In February, he launched the military parade march scandal and spoke on the German version of the Russian propaganda channel RT with harmful commentaries on Estonia.

Aleksei Semjonov is the leader of the NGO Human rights information centre

Larissa Neštšadimova was the Night Guard press representative as well as activist.

Anatoly Jegorov is an active participant on picket lines organized by the NGO Russian schools in Estonia.

Oleg Nazmutdinov, Jevgeni Broi, Ivan Anikejev, Dmitri Suhhoroslov, Jelena Radkovets, Viktor Poljakov, Kirill Kazakov, Marijam Rannak, Sergei Gavrikov and many others are also active in NGOs. Oleg Kulikov and Sergei Vertsinski are executive board directors of several non-represented NGO schemes.

Managed websites:
venekool.eu, kitezh.eu, vasakpartei.ee, relvavendlus.ee

Relations with Russia:

According to KAPO Russian State, monies have funded the NGO Human rights information centre. NGO Russian schools in Estonia has received support from the Russian fund “Russki mir”. Both organizations have participated in international conferences with assistance from Russia and organized seminars in Estonia. They have also participated with Latvian Kremlin minded activists on picket lines. Network members are regularly allowed statements as guard commentators on Russian propaganda channels.

Additional reading:

Astroturfing or organizing fake national movements.

ERR story about Russian supported networks

Charts: Propastop / CC

Photo: Immortal regiment march in Tallinn 2018. Propastop / CC