Mamure Chabanova, a Crimean Tatar philologist, teacher, and translator born in Bakhchysarai and raised there, speaks about language as a space of memory and how Russification and occupation have shaped its survival. 🧵

Today, May 18, marks the 82nd anniversary of the forced deportation of the Crimean Tatar people. This is a Soviet act of genocide against the indigenous people of Crimea. Read the key facts about the Crimean Tatars' origins, religion, and culture. 🔗 ukraineworld.org/en/articles/... 1/8

Old man beetroot doing 'nuclear drills' in cooperation with mighty russia, oh no, best drop everything and panic. www.politico.eu/article/russ...

On May 14, russia murdered 24-year-old English teacher Maryna, her boyfriend Yuriy, and their dog Dalma, who previously survived shelling on the front and finally found a loving home💔 russian war criminals destroyed that home and this kind family — like they always do🧵

"Drone explosions, high-level arrests and the government’s collapse rocked Latvia over the last 10 days."

Wherever states and/or nations come into contact with Russia in one form or another (tsarist, Soviet, or today’s fascist), the result is always bloodshed, pain, and loss. Today marks the Day of the Deportation of the Crimean Tatars.

Russian forces launched 546 aerial weapons — 22 missiles and 524 drones — at Ukraine overnight into Monday, striking 34 locations across multiple regions and injuring at least 28 people, Ukraine's Air Force Command reported.

"Such informational interventions are part of a systematic disinformation campaign by the aggressor state aimed at discrediting Ukrainian institutions..."

2.5yrs later SpongeBob meme

Redear Sunfish in Hartman Lake

Regarding diplomacy with US: anyone still in the Trump administration has sold their soul and is not worth engaging with — they are true believers in the machine that treats dictators and war criminals as friends, and fading allies as adversaries. *understand some have to keep the game / act going

52 people were killed and 346 injured, including 22 children, during the past week of russian attacks on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Donate towards Sky Defense and help prevent more deaths and destruction: u24.gov.ua/sky-defense?...

There used to be a time when my role on many panels was to convince everyone Russia is a serious threat, but I don't feel I have to do it anymore. — @kristiraik.bsky.social, Director @icds-tallinn.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

The next travel book, UK trip incoming @fromtga.bsky.social

This is no longer the 60s and 70s. We are ageing societies; we have gone soft, most of us—not Estonia, of course. — Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Strategic Research. @brunotertrais.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

It matters what small states do, because without our own agency and determination to be where we are and to be part of Europe, we would not exist as neighbours of Russia. — Kristi Raik stressed that small-state agency matters. @kristiraik.bsky.social #Estonia #LennartMeriConference

Most countries in the world are small countries in their stance, and that is why we need to stick together. Some powers want to dismantle the European Union because we are much stronger together. — @kajakallas.bsky.social, HR/VP @ec.europa.eu #LennartMeriConference

Anyone in the Kremlin's imaginary "sphere of influence" who rejects their demands, opposes their bloodlust, seeks to defend their independence is labelled either a fascist, nazi, or warmonger. Strange how that works.

There are no signs Russia wants to end the war. Russia's ambition to destroy Ukraine as a nation remains. But we have bad news for Russia: we as Ukrainians will keep fighting. — Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine #LennartMeriConference

We cannot take Ukraine for granted, and we must not lose the momentum of Ukraine’s move closer toward integration. — Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia @tsahkna.bsky.social @mfaestonia.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Despite cyberattacks and other forms of pressure, Moldova has resisted, and society’s response has been firm. Moldova is an example that resilience is possible. — Maia Sandu, President of Moldova Fortune Favours the Brave #LennartMeriConference

Resilience is not a Finland matter, not a Estonian matter, not a small country matter. It is a matter for all of us. There is a wider transformation going on. — @haukkala.bsky.social, Director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs @fiia.fi #LennartMeriConference

🔴 Next up! Side event with Open Estonia Foundation: "Voices of Freedom Outside the Kremlin Walls" Starting at 14:15 (EEST), Garry Kasparov in conversation with Jill Dougherty. @garrykasparov.bsky.social Fortune Favours the Brave #LennartMeriConference

Even a master lie spinner can't catch them all

Moscow has always been about human mass over ability in its warfare, whilst being propped up by various partners and 'allies of convenience'. The "push until you hit steel" approach has failed in Ukraine, the supposed unbeatable attrition has flipped.

First panel of Day 2 | Not One Centimetre: Europe’s Defence Strategy - Ingo Gerhartz - Carlo Masala - Hanno Pevkur - Robert Wilkie - @baibabraze.bsky.social Moderator: Kimberly Dozier 🔴 Tune in live today @ 10:00 EEST www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzID... @latvianmfa.bsky.social #LennartMeriConference

Another day passed. Ukraine will win the war. #UkraineWillWin muscovy delenda est. One day closer to the death of putin.

Playback ready Featuring: Hall & Oates - Rich Girl 😉

Kremlin-linked Matryoshka bot network spreads disinfo about a looming hantavirus pandemic in Europe, despite scientists pointing to low risk The latest campaign includes content posing as @france24.com, Deutsche Welle and @liberation.fr, according to @antibot4navalny.bsky.social.

For a so-called country built on lies, fabrication, theft, appropriation, and fantasy since Catherine, there's a distinct shortage of much resembling truth in its propagandised multiple identities.

LMC 2026: Fortune Favours the Brave We are about to begin! Day 1 offers two pre-events, a welcome note by @kristiraik.bsky.social, an opening session moderated by Teri Schultz, and a Night Owl Session led by @gordoncorera.bsky.social. More: lmc.icds.ee/conference-2... #LennartMeriConference

🔴 Today is the day we go live, starting at 17:00 EEST - Welcome note by @kristiraik.bsky.social - Opening panel "A Bridge Over Troubled Water" featuring Thomas G. DiNanno, Kristen Michal, Jana Puglierin, Edi Rama, Boris Ruge, and Teri Schultz Tune in! lmc.icds.ee/livestream #LennartMeriConference

Amazing photo from @69thsb.bsky.social at YouTube. 'Special Greetings from Chornobyl' 👋🏼 youtube.com/post/UgkxWoB... 🇪🇪🇺🇦

Clearing out old barn at countryside — relics and artifacts going back to 1940s — and thinking to throw or keep this as a reminder of the deportation, property theft, "collective" servitude, and other history of this place. Probably throw, plenty of other reminders.

Rescue efforts at the site of the russian strike on an apartment building in Kyiv have been completed. The attack killed 24 civilians, including three children, and injured 48 others.

High-level discussions on global security, strategic competition, and Europe’s ability to shape its own future. 🔴 Join us live starting tomorrow! lmc.icds.ee/conference-2... Fortune Favours the Brave #LennartMeriConference

🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️ The death toll from the russian strike on Kyiv has risen to 12, including 2 children. Russia is a terrorist state!

Rescuers have recovered the body of another victim from the rubble in Kyiv, according to the Kyiv City State Administration As of now, the number of people killed by the Russians stands at nine. The search operation is ongoing.

In Kyiv, the body of a 12-year-old girl was recovered from the rubble—she is the fifth person to die as a result of the Russian overnight attack on the capital, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported.

"...traces of the Swedish-speaking cultural minority that once lived in Western Estonia can still be seen today in both place names and church names." Self-described 'post-zombie folk' duo Puuluup make this advert for exhibition of Coastal Swedes at Estonian National Musuem 😅

Russian forces continued their mass aerial assault on Ukraine overnight, targeting the capital Kyiv with a combined barrage of drones and ballistic missiles, Ukraine's Air Force and regional military administrations reported.

The ripple effect: How the U.S. operation against Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz strengthen China, Ukraine, and Turkey A major distortion in the declining relations between America and the Gulf states is pushing them to seek new allies.

Get notified for the upcoming panels and talks at Lennart Meri Conference with @icds-tallinn.bsky.social Subscribe at YouTube youtube.com/@lennartmeri...

Despite ongoing air alerts and the threat of strikes, #Kyiv welcomes the long-awaited arrival of spring. 📷: marina kyiv 📷: yanaa_mm 📷: maksim.nazarenko 📷:freaky_search

"...long before the nation billions spent on Abrams tanks and K2 Black Panthers, Poland had (and continues to have) two elite aeromobile units capable of striking behind enemy lines."

*vomit-inducing noises from russia intensify

The change required from Europe is not only to rearm and reduce dependencies, but also to reshape our narratives and mental maps. The decisions we make today are existential for our future, writes Kristi Raik ahead of the #LennartMeriConference. @kristiraik.bsky.social

Vast open territories in the Arctic have been claimed and named as though they were blank white pieces of canvas. But the Indigenous place names that existed long before these new names were invented carry history, culture, and identity. Partner story by the Fram Centre