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SWEDISH MEATBALLS UP IN RUSSIAN FLAMES

Lithuanian prosecutors state that Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, was responsible for an arson attack on an Ikea furniture store in the Baltic state's capital, Vilnius, last year.

Two Ukrainian suspects have been arrested – one in Lithuania, the other in Poland – over the attack, which prosecutor Arturas Urbelis called "an act of terrorism".

He said an investigation of intermediaries had established that "this is connected with military intelligence, with the security services."

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Lithuania had "confirmed our suspicions that responsible for setting fires to shopping centres in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services."

"Good to know before negotiations. Such is the nature of this state," he wrote in a post on X.

Russia has denied repeated allegations by Nato countries that its secret services are engaged in sabotage operations across Europe.


Security experts see it as a systematic campaign of "hybrid warfare" to undermine European support for Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

The arson attack in Vilnius last May did not cause casualties, but that month a similar attack destroyed a huge shopping mall in the Polish capital Warsaw.

Prosecutor Urbelis said the two suspects - both teenagers - had held a secret meeting in Warsaw and agreed to set fire to shops in Lithuania and Latvia for a reward of €10,000 ($11,000; £8,400) and a BMW.

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FLOSSI GOES UNDERCOVER UNDERWATER

The development of the Estlink HVDC submarine power cables was a collaborative effort involving various organizations, leaders, and individuals.

Key Individuals and Groups Responsible for Estlink

Andres Tropp (Eesti Energia):

A prominent figure in Estonia’s energy sector during the early 2000s.

Advocated for energy independence and closer integration with European energy markets.

Instrumental in forming the consortium of energy companies that initiated Estlink 1.

Jukka Ruusunen (Fingrid CEO):

A Finnish energy leader deeply involved in facilitating the collaboration between Finland and Estonia.

Played a significant role in overseeing the transition of Estlink ownership to Fingrid and Elering in 2013.

Political Leaders

Andrus Ansip (Prime Minister of Estonia, 2005–2014):

Strongly supported Estonia’s energy independence from Russia.

Advocated for regional cooperation to integrate Baltic electricity markets into the Nordic grid.

Alexander Stubb (Prime Minister of Finland, later Foreign Minister):

Encouraged Finland’s active participation in cross-border energy projects with the Baltics.

Advocated for EU funding and policy support for Estlink 2.

Günther Oettinger (2010–2014):

As European Commissioner for Energy, Oettinger prioritized infrastructure projects like Estlink 2 under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR).

Secured €100 million in EU funding for Estlink 2.

Supported Baltic States’ efforts to integrate with the European energy grid.

European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E):

Coordinated the technical and regulatory frameworks to ensure compatibility between the Baltic and Nordic grids.

Technical Experts and Contractors

ABB Group:

The Swiss-Swedish engineering company responsible for designing, constructing, and installing both Estlink 1 and Estlink 2.

Key figures within ABB:

Ulrich Spiesshofer (CEO during Estlink 2's completion phase): Oversaw ABB’s global energy infrastructure projects.

Engineering teams specializing in HVDC Light technology.

Transmission System Operators (TSOs)

Elering (Estonia):

Led by executives like Taavi Veskimägi, Elering played a central role in operating and maintaining the Estlink cables after acquiring ownership in 2013.

Advocated for Estonia’s deeper integration with European energy systems.

Fingrid (Finland):

Worked closely with Elering to manage the technical and financial aspects of the Estlink projects.

Energy Consortium for Estlink 1:

Eesti Energia (Estonia)

Latvenergo (Latvia)

Lietuvos Energija (Lithuania)

Pohjolan Voima (Finland)

This consortium initiated Estlink 1 as the first interconnection between the Baltic States and the Nordic grid.

Public Ownership Transition:

In 2013, the ownership of Estlink 1 was transferred to the TSOs (Elering and Fingrid), ensuring its operation as a public infrastructure asset.

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