Estonian city faces Russian-language separatist campaign

Dw • March 28, 2026

Russian-language social media accounts are promoting the fringe "Narva People's Republic" narrative regarding the Estonian border city of Narva.

Estonia 's security services call it a cheap disinformation campaign and aimed at the city's Russian-speaking majority.

However, both locals and officials dismiss the idea, emphasizing everyday concerns and the city's progress despite the tensions with Russia across the border.

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Disinformation Campaign Targets Estonian City Amid Russian Tensions Russian-language social media accounts are promoting the fringe 'Narva People's Republic' narrative, targeting the Estonian city of Narva, which has a significant Russian-speaking population. Estonia's security services have labeled this campaign as a cheap disinformation effort aimed at sowing discord among locals. Despite the tensions with Russia, residents and officials in Narva are dismissing the separatist claims, focusing instead on local issues and the city's development. The campaign appears to be an attempt to exploit existing ethnic divisions in the region. The situation remains stable, with no immediate threats reported to public safety or infrastructure. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing community resilience against such narratives. 3 sources 43

Estonian city faces Russian-language separatist campaign

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