A human chain stretching 650 kilometers across the Baltic states in 1989 symbolized the desire for independence. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new generation of Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians is fighting to preserve their freedom, language, and culture.

After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Estonian government decided to end Russian-language education. How are parents and teachers reacting to the transition to education in a language that is foreign to them?

In Latvia, 3,255 citizens with Russian passports have received a notice to leave the country by November 30. The same fate looms over an additional 6,500 ethnic Russians if they don't pass a language exam. This controversial measure has put the relationship with a segment of the Russian-speaking population under intense pressure.

According to Putin, the invasion of Ukraine was partly necessary to liberate the Russian-speaking population from Nazis. In the former Soviet republic of Lithuania, there's also a significant Russian-speaking minority. Photographers David Peskens and HJ Hunter found that Russian-speaking youth unanimously condemn the war, while their (grand)parents make efforts to keep watching banned Russian television.