Heroes of the New Age in Russia: An Estonian Perspective

Estonian ethnologist Aimar Ventsel reflects on maintaining connections with Russia after years of academic research there. Writing for SDE, he offers a personal perspective on the human stories emerging from contemporary Russia.

Estonian ethnologist Aimar Ventsel, writing for the Social Democrats (SDE), shares a candid observation: those who have spent extended periods conducting research in Russia tend to maintain at least some ties to the country — and he is no exception.

Ventsel notes that he continues to communicate with people in Russia, a fact that places him in a complex position familiar to many academics who built careers studying post-Soviet society. The bonds formed through years of fieldwork and research do not simply dissolve because of geopolitical ruptures.

This personal reflection serves as the backdrop for a broader examination of what it means to be a so-called hero of the new era in Russia — individuals navigating an increasingly constrained social and political landscape. Ventsel's long academic engagement with Russian society gives him a vantage point that is both informed and deeply human.

For Estonian readers, the piece raises questions about how scholars, analysts, and ordinary citizens should relate to a country that remains both a near neighbour and, in many respects, a profound challenge to European security and values.