Russian spy behind Estonia disaster conspiracy theories, new book claims

A new book, "Den sista lögnen – Estonia och den ryska spionens arv" (The Last Lie – Estonia and the Russian Spy's Legacy), by journalist Patrik Oksanen and former diplomat Andreas Edevald, claims to have uncovered the origins of the conspiracy theories surrounding the M/S Estonia ferry disaster. Despite the official cause being a detached visor in rough seas, the book points to a single individual: Anton Surikov, a colonel in Russia's GRU intelligence service, as the source of these persistent theories.

According to the authors, Surikov's actions significantly influenced public discourse about the disaster. "We dare say that we would have had a different public opinion if M/S Estonia had not had the GRU's contribution," stated Oksanen. This revelation challenges the narrative that has persisted for decades, suggesting a deliberate disinformation campaign by Russian intelligence.

The book aims to shed light on how state-sponsored disinformation can shape public understanding of tragic events, even when official explanations are readily available. The authors' work suggests a calculated effort to sow doubt and propagate alternative narratives, impacting how the Estonia disaster is remembered and discussed.

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We dare say that we would have had a different public opinion if M/S Estonia had not had the GRU's contribution.