The government will discuss a possible revision of the threat assessment on Friday and closing the border has not been ruled out after Russia denied its border guards illegally crossed into Estonia earlier this week.
On Wednesday, three Russian border guards crossed the temporary control line into Estonian territory on the Narva River at the Vasknarva breakwater and remained there for about 20 minutes. The stone structure is situated in both countries, but the majority is in Estonia. The motive is unknown.
Estonian and Russian border guards met for more than two hours on Thursday to discuss the incident at the site where it took place. The Russian representatives claimed there had been no illegal crossing.
Minister of the Interior Igor Taro (Eesti 200) said: “Essentially, they no longer understood where the Estonia-Russia control line runs, which is utterly ridiculous because that control line has been in place for over 30 years. If they cannot read a map, if topographical ignorance prevails there, then how are we supposed to help? Should we send them a map, teach them how to read it? This remains a challenge for us.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said Russia constantly tries to push the border in geographically complex areas. He listed the incidents at Saatse Boot in October, where armed Russians were seen on a stretch of road, and the theft of the border buoys in May 2024 from the Narva River.
Read more: ERR.EE
