Estonia’s Internal Security Service (KAPO) detained 16 individuals last year on suspicion of cooperation with Russian intelligence agencies, marking a record number of cases, according to the agency’s annual yearbook and statements by officials, according to ERR.
The suspects were linked to both Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and military intelligence agency GRU. Authorities said most of those detained were ordinary civilians with no access to classified information or government positions.
KAPO officials stressed that all cases were identified and disrupted at an early stage, preventing any significant damage to Estonia’s national security. Director General Margo Palloson said pressure from Russian intelligence services to recruit agents remained consistently high throughout the year, but most attempts were quickly detected.
According to the agency, Russian services have increasingly shifted their recruitment tactics toward social media platforms, targeting individuals willing to carry out low-level tasks such as vandalism or propaganda-related activities.
Spokesperson Marta Tuul said Russia is looking for “easier agents” to conduct isolated operations, including defacing memorials such as the Sinimäed (Blue Hills) site, which holds historical significance in Estonia due to World War II battles.
Officials also warned that travel to Russia can carry recruitment risks, noting that intelligence operatives may profile individuals at border crossings and attempt contact during transit.
The report further highlights a broader shift in Russian influence operations, with disinformation efforts increasingly moving online following restrictions on state-linked propaganda outlets such as Sputnik and Baltnews. Authorities say these campaigns now focus on social media narratives, including hoaxes and false alarms intended to create public panic.
Despite these efforts, Estonian officials said there is limited domestic support for such narratives, and most attempted operations are detected and stopped at an early stage.
