Estonia is neither the richest nor the biggest European country, but what it lacks in wealth and size, the little Baltic nation compensates with its strong anti-Russian rhetoric. In fact, most times when Estonia makes international headlines, it's always has something to do with Russia — be it "evil" Russian planes on a regular patrol or military drills that are interpreted as rehearsals to "invade Estonia."
It's not different this time around. Now Estonia is making headlines after it decided to build its own Great Wall to protect itself from… that's right Russian "invaders."
A 108-km long (67 miles) wall on the land section on the Russo-Estonian border will aim to prevent trespassing, according to the Estonian newspaper.
"The upper edge of the barrier will be reinforced with barbed wire. The total length of the fence will be around 108 kilometers," Postimees reported.
The construction of the Estonian wall will begin in 2018. The project will be an expensive one. The total cost of the work is estimated to be around €71 million ($81.6 million). In addition, the Estonian Border Guard Board plans to install video cameras across the entire perimeter of the wall and set out patrol drones to detect trespassing "Russian invaders."
Due to increased emigration to Western Europe, the Baltic Nations are rapidly losing a lot of their young people who are choosing to try out their luck in more developed countries. The population of Estonia has decreased from over 1.5 million in 1990 to less than 1.3 million in 2011, according to the latest Population and Housing Census.
By the time the Estonian wall is finished there might be even less folks to protect the country from. Then what? Oh yes, they need to keep the Russian bears away.
