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Russia’s war against Ukraine has awakened old fears in Estonia and triggered a lot of solidarity. Two women from the creative industry deal with it in their own way.
When Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February, Jaana Ratas and Anu Lensment were determined not to sit idle. As with many Estonians, the fate of Ukraine triggered memories of their own country’s history.
Because Estonia was also occupied by its neighbor – the Soviet Union – and part of the population was murdered, deported or expelled. Solidarity with Ukraine is correspondingly high.
But what to do? She was not satisfied with donating to charities. The two women from the capital, Tallinn, wanted to be sure that their help would get through and have a tangible effect. And so the textile archaeologist and the fashion designer decided to do something related to their professions: they started making camouflage nets.
They were able to rent a large warehouse in a shopping center in Tallinn. There are sacks stuffed full of old clothes. Nets are stretched over large wooden frames, and a Ukrainian flag hangs next to them. At a table, women cut scraps of fabric into strips: green, brown, ocher narrow strips of fabric. Ready-made camouflage nets are spread out on the ground.
This is how the camouflage nets of Jaana Ratas and Anu Lensment are created
54-year-old Jaana Ratas explains: “We use fishing nets and old clothes. We cut the latter into strips and weave them into the nets. The finished nets are checked for errors and rolled up.» And then taken to Ukraine along with relief supplies.
The colors vary depending on whether the nets are intended for use in the forest or in the field: green and brown strips of fabric are woven for the forest, and ocher and brown strips of fabric are woven for the steppe.
Refugee Ukrainian women are also helping
Anu Lensment says they received photos of soldiers with the nets and knew they were really needed. This is an important motivation for all volunteers in their group. It is not only Estonian women who spend their free time in the warehouse, but also refugee Ukrainian women who are happy to be able to support their army.
But how did the idea come about? They saw on Facebook how Latvian women made camouflage nets, says Ratas: “Then we watched video instructions from Ukraine, read books and scientific articles. And we take advice: from snipers and the military. We also test the nets. We develop ourselves and the product. This is exciting.”
The threat has always been there over the last few years, but only subliminally. Now it is out in the open.
One senses that the women are working with great zeal. But fear lurks behind everything: the fear that Estonia too could become a victim of Russian aggression. There is no lack of corresponding threats on Russian state broadcasters. There it is claimed, for example, that the Balts are also fascists and oppress the Russian minority.
Yes, they felt threatened by Russia, Lensment and Ratas say: “The threat has always been there over the last few years, but only subliminally. Now it is out in the open. And we at least feel like we can do something concrete about it.”