Three Russian border guards were observed crossing into eastern Estonia without authorization. The guards infiltrated the NATO member state on Wednesday around 10 am through the Narva River, which serves as the boundary between Estonia and Russia. Estonian border guards, utilizing surveillance equipment, spotted them on a hovercraft near the Vasknarva pier, as reported by ERR broadcaster. Subsequently, the Russian personnel disembarked at the entrance to Lake Peipus and traversed the pier, crossing the temporary control line into Estonian territory. Following a brief 20-minute stay, they returned to the Russian side and departed on their hovercraft, according to Estonian officials.
Interior Minister Igor Taro expressed uncertainty regarding the intentions behind the incident, stating there was no immediate security threat. However, he noted that the Police and Border Guard Board had intensified its presence and patrols in response. Taro highlighted that Russian vessels are required to seek permission to enter Lake Peipus from the Narva River under a longstanding agreement, similar to the old Saatse Boot protocol. He emphasized that prior notification had always been provided, but on this occasion, it was absent, leading to the unauthorized entry.
While refraining from labeling the event as a provocation by Russia, Minister Taro mentioned a scheduled meeting with border representatives on Thursday to investigate the matter further. A video released by the Estonian Police and Border Guard (PPA) depicted the Russian border guards walking along the pier before returning to their side.
Eerik Purgel, head of the PPA’s Eastern Prefecture, disclosed that authorities had reached out to a Russian representative for an explanation. Surveillance equipment captured the incident, with an initial assessment conducted on the breakwater. Official communication had been established with the Russian border representative to seek clarifications.
Estonia, sharing a 183-mile border with Russia, has faced several comparable incidents in recent times. Notably, on September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. Additionally, on October 10, armed and uniformed Russian military personnel were sighted on Estonia’s Route 178, which passes through the Saatse Boot, a narrow Russian territory protruding into southeastern Estonia.