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Holger Roonemaa

Holger Roonemaa

Holger Roonemaa is an investigative journalist based in Tallinn, Estonia. He has covered extensively Russia’s propaganda, disinformation and espionage activities in the Baltic countries. He was awarded the 2020 Journalist of the Year award by Estonia’s Media Association.

Latest from Holger Roonemaa

What the Hell Just Happened in Russia?

What the Hell Just Happened in Russia?

Prigozhin' march to Moscow will go down as the most dramatic — certainly the weirdest — 24-hour period in the last quarter century of Russian history. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mugger who became a jailbird, who became a hot dog vendor, who became a catering magnate and then a mercenary boss, launched a relatively uncontested putsch that saw his private army come within 125 miles of the Kremlin’s gates. Then he called the whole thing off.

Michael Weiss,
Holger Roonemaa
Estonia Expels a Colorful Russian Diplomat

Estonia Expels a Colorful Russian Diplomat

Nalobin's personal background and previous activities as a diplomat were, to put it mildly, colorful, raising questions about why he received diplomatic credentials from Tallinn in the first place.

Holger Roonemaa,
Martin Laine
Exclusive: Russia Backs Europe’s Far Right

Exclusive: Russia Backs Europe’s Far Right

In what appears to have been a kind of fee-for-service bottom line, the document concluded that the cost of such an endeavor would be about $20,000 and, “in case of successful voting,” an additional $15,000.

Holger Roonemaa,
Martin Laine,
Michael Weiss
Putin’s Worsening Problems

Putin’s Worsening Problems

“This is a serious risk to Russian forces as the supply lines, which we already know are crap, will be dragged even longer. This leaves the Ukrainians plenty of chances to beat them to pieces.”

Holger Roonemaa,
Michael Weiss
Estonia’s Spymaster: The Danger of Putin’s Frustration

Estonia’s Spymaster: The Danger of Putin’s Frustration

Putin has not achieved his goals and is probably very frustrated about it. The motivation of Russian troops is low. Meanwhile, motivation is growing among Ukrainian forces and civilians because in the first days of war they have withstood the overwhelming aggressor. But the danger that Putin will bring even larger forces into play is ever-present.

Holger Roonemaa
The Fallen Mercenaries in Russia’s Dark Army

The Fallen Mercenaries in Russia’s Dark Army

"No one can build anything on blood. Blood has never been a foundation for any construction. On the contrary, it turns into a swamp in which you drown. Why fight for strangers and kill for strangers?"

Michael Weiss,
Holger Roonemaa,
Mattias Carlsson,
Liliana Botnariuc,
Pierre Vaux
Exclusive: Western Intelligence Fears New Russian Sat-Nav’s Espionage Capabilities

Exclusive: Western Intelligence Fears New Russian Sat-Nav’s Espionage Capabilities

Russia is preparing to introduce a new generation of its GLONASS satellite navigation system, with expanded global infrastructure. Several Western intelligence agencies say the program is also being used to conduct high-level espionage.

Holger Roonemaa,
Michael Weiss
Czechs and Imbalances

Czechs and Imbalances

But then there’s the awkward fact that the Czechs themselves have, by their own admission, played a strong hand incredibly poorly, owing largely to the fact that high-profile members of their political establishment are more eager to represent Moscow’s interests over Prague’s.

Michael Weiss,
Holger Roonemaa