The article features an interview with historian Meelis Maripuu from the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory, who elaborates on the brutal deportations orchestrated by the Soviet regime during World War II. It describes how tens of thousands of Estonians were forcibly removed to Siberia and labor camps, with a particular focus on the harsh working conditions that these deportees faced, including inadequate food rations and physically demanding labor in forestry and timber extraction. The death toll among those deported was alarmingly high, underscoring the human cost of these repressive actions.

Maripuu emphasizes that while the crimes committed by the Nazis are often memorialized, the atrocities carried out by the Soviet regime have largely been overlooked in the broader historical narrative. For the Baltic states, these deportations represent deep-rooted traumas that continue to influence their political and social dynamics today, particularly in relation to their readiness to defend against perceived threats from Russia. The historical memory of these events is crucial for understanding current attitudes in the region regarding national security and cooperation among Baltic nations.

The article positions the deportations within a wider historical framework, including the initial relations between the Baltic states and the Soviet Union before the occupation began in 1940. It also addresses the complexities of wartime diplomacy, explaining why many in the Baltic states initially welcomed Nazi forces as liberators from Soviet oppression, only to face further devastation. Through this lens, the piece advocates for a more nuanced recognition of the past that includes acknowledging the suffering inflicted by Soviet policies alongside that which was wrought by Nazi Germany.