Narva (Estonia on the left, Russia on the right)
“Here, in the far reaches of Europe, war feels differently. We see Russia across the border every day, we ask what will happen next.”
From a city unknown in almost the entire world, it became news in almost the entire world: Narva.
Throughout its history, the city has been under Danish, German, Russian, Swedish and Estonian rule.
It is the third largest city in Estonia and, as we have already highlighted, it is a kind of: it is at an intersection that separates the territory of NATO and Russia.
There in northeastern Europe, the city next to the border with Russia is seen as a Flashpoint for potential global conflict; it is an increasingly tense area since the invasion of Ukraine.
It has 56 thousand inhabitants and many of them are not at peace: are afraid of what Vladimir Putin will do next – the President of Russia even recalled that, just as Russia is “recovering” territory in Ukraine, in the 18th century Tsar Peter the Great also “recovered” Narva from Sweden.
This fear is visible in the city of Estonia. There are no more cars crossing the bridge over the Narva River to go to Russia, or go shopping or visit family. Only a few people appear on foot.
This small bridge, which divides Estonia and Russia, is even called the Friendship Bridge, as it was a symbol of cooperation; now it looks like a wall, with barbed wire and anti-tank obstacles.
It’s a heavy climate, describes the . And this can be seen in the words of the President of the City Council, Katri Raik: “Here, in the far reaches of Europe, war feels differently. We see Russia across the border every day, we wonder what will happen next.”.
“I can’t say how afraid people here are, but we are all wondering what will happen next – and the answer to that question is very difficult to give”, comments the local official.
Estonia has reinforced yours defenses throughout the territory. Furthermore, Russian citizens cannot vote in local elections. Estonian became the only language taught in schools, including in Narva – where the vast majority of people (95%) speak Russian.
There is a “perfect storm” in Narva: fear, proximity to Russia, unemployment, more expensive electricity and collapse of relations with Russia.
Mihhail Stalnuhhin, President of the City Council, does not hesitate to say: “This is the most difficult period in our history in almost 40 years. We see how they are treating us. And to that, we add the constant talk about war, war, war. People live in a very difficult moral, economic and social situation.”
