Invasion of Estonia: Russian Propagandists Say Seizure Would Be Easier Than Pokrovsk (Video)

Kremlin loyalists and hardline propagandists have begun calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand the war into Europe, specifically targeting NATO member Estonia. The calls come as Russia’s war effort in Ukraine continues to stall, with pro-invasion figures in Moscow publicly expressing frustration and proposing a shift in focus towards the Baltic states.

Prominent Russian Z-patriots, a term for the ultra-nationalist supporters of the so-called “special military operation,” have ramped up militaristic rhetoric, now urging a localised attack on Estonia. They argue that such a strike would be “easier than taking Pokrovsk” in Ukraine, a city that remains under Ukrainian control despite months of Russian offensives.

One vocal Kremlin propagandist, speaking on a Russian state media platform, questioned why Russian military leadership – including General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov and military intelligence head Igor Kostyukov – has not yet presented Putin with a plan for a “local strike” on Europe. The commentator described the geopolitical moment as uniquely favourable, citing what he sees as weakened Western resolve.

“The United States is not going to defend Europe, and the continent is trembling while admitting it is preparing for war with Russia by 2030. So why wait?” he said. “It is time to show Europe what we can do – take back the Baltics and make them understand that supporting Ukraine is futile.”

The propagandist even claimed that capturing Estonia would help scare Europe and pave the way for further Russian advances in Ukraine. “Only after defeating Europe can we take Pokrovsk and other Ukrainian cities,” he declared.

Such claims reflect the escalating desperation within Moscow’s political and media circles, where the reality of a bogged-down war effort is becoming impossible to ignore. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, has failed to achieve most of its major objectives, and the costs continue to mount.

Meanwhile, concern is rising in Estonia, particularly in the city of Narva, which sits directly on the Russian border and is home to a large ethnic Russian population. The city has long been a target of Russian provocations, including cyber interference, border violations, and disinformation campaigns.

Politico recently reported that Narva could become a flashpoint for a wider conflict. Estonian officials believe Moscow could exploit the ethnic composition of the city in a repeat of its 2014 playbook in Crimea, using fabricated claims of persecution to justify an invasion.

“We are not intending to start a third world war, but we are constantly provoked,” said Egert Belitsev, head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard. “There is a real risk that Russia may try to seize eastern Estonia and challenge NATO to respond.”

Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. A failure by the alliance to react decisively could have devastating consequences, essentially rendering its central defence clause meaningless.

In a chilling reminder of his long-standing ambitions, Putin himself suggested in 2022 that Narva historically belonged to Russia. That statement, largely ignored at the time, is being revisited amid rising tensions.

The Kremlin’s growing hysteria and open threats towards Europe are a stark warning. While Ukraine continues to heroically defend its territory, Russian propaganda has begun pivoting towards broader European targets. As its failure in Ukraine becomes clearer, the Putin regime appears to be reaching for even more dangerous and reckless strategies.