Estonia keeps Russian border crossings restricted as security fears grow
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Nighttime restrictions will remain in place on Estonia’s border with Russia. (Photo: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins)
Estonia has extended nighttime restrictions at border crossings
with Russia until the end of August and shortened operating hours at the Narva
crossing because of security concerns, ERR
reported.
The restrictions apply to the Koidula and Luhamaa road
crossings in the country’s southeast, which have operated only from 7 a.m. to 7
p.m. since February. Estonia introduced the restrictions after repeated Russian
violations of its border.
Starting June 15, operating hours will also be shortened at
the pedestrian crossing in Narva. It will also operate only 12 hours a day,
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said Russia has shown
no willingness in recent months to improve the situation, so relaxing the
restrictions is not currently under consideration.
He said the shorter schedule allows personnel to be deployed
more efficiently to guard the border and staff customs services.
On Dec. 17, 2025, three Russian border guards briefly
crossed into Estonian territory, after which border patrols in the area were
reinforced. Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation
at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, described the incident as
part of Russia’s hybrid war and a test of NATO’s response.
It was later reported that Estonia was considering closing
its border with Russia after the incident.
In October 2025, Estonia’s border service closed the Saatse
crossing because more military units than usual were present nearby on Russian
territory.
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