Study on Changes in the Language Situation of the Republic of Estonia during so-called Special Military Operation

Abstract

All three Baltic states considered the Soviet period an illegal occupation and, since gaining independence, have pursued the most hostile policy towards the Russian Federation. The use of Russian language was expanded during the Soviet period due to the migration of many Russians and Russian speakers, but since gaining independence, the three countries have designated each language of the titular nation as their state language and deprived official status of Russian language (a means of inter-ethnic communication) and ignored its very existence. This was especially aggravated after Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and a so-called Special Military Operation by Russian Federation in 2022. Russian repression and the ban on the use of the Russian language are noticeable in Estonia. Kaja Kallas (1977-), who was appointed Prime Minister of Estonia in January 2021, has been hostile towards Russia and Russian language and is the most hostile towards Russia in the world after a special military operation. Currently, the number of Russians living in Estonia is 306,801, accounting for 22.46% of Estonia's total population of 1,365,884, the largest population among ethnic minorities, and it is very difficult to drive out Russians and the Russian language at this point, but it is obvious that cooperation with neighboring countries, EU and NATO members will lead to a break with the Russian Federation. It is clear that this will soon lead to the assimilation of Russians and Russian-speaking users living in Estonia, or to their expulsion, which will also have a significant impact on neighboring Latvia.