Baltic fears of Russia: ‘No longer just theoretical’

Exclusive Interview – In discussions of potential threats from Russia beyond Ukraine, the Baltic states are at the top of the list. Apart from Poland, no other country has been so threatened by Moscow over the past century. For 50 years, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were under the heavy boot of Soviet communism, and were among the first Soviet republics to rise up against Moscow during the Soviet Union’s decline. They are also Russia’s neighbors, and Lithuania was once a major European power (see 15th century). Grand Duchy of Lithuania), today Ukraine is larger and less populous than the three countries combined.

All this helps explain why the Baltic states see themselves as vulnerable frontline states in the fight against Russian aggression. They have been among the strongest supporters of the Ukrainian resistance, and in a small but significant signal this week, the Lithuanian Defense Minister Baltic countries If a Russian drone drifts into its airspace, it must be shot down. This follows recent reports that a Russian drone crashed on Latvian territory.