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3d ago

Estonia Summons Russia Over Brief Border-Guard Incursion at Narva River

Officials frame the crossing as part of recurring Russian probes of Baltic borders.

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A Estonian flag flutters in front of a Russian flag flying over the Russian Fortress of Ivangorod on the opposite bank of the Narva River in Narva on December 15, 2024. In heavy snowfall and high winds, around 200 people wearing rain ponchos and fur hoods queued in the Estonian border town of Narva to cross into neighbouring Russia. (Photo by Marko Mumm / AFP) (Photo by MARKO MUMM/AFP via Getty Images)
NARVA, ESTONIA - 2025/08/04: A Russian border service boat seen on the Narva River. Narva is a city in Estonia. It is located on the east part of the country and on the west bank of the Narva River which forms the Estonia-Russia international border. Ivangorod is located on the Russian side of the east bank of the Narva River, opposite of Narva city. (Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Estonia says three Russian border guards crossed a temporary control line at the Vasknarva breakwater on Dec. 17 after arriving by hovercraft, remained for about 20 minutes, then returned to Russia.
  • Surveillance video released by Estonia’s Police and Border Guard appears to show the guards disembarking and walking along the structure before withdrawing to their craft.
  • Tallinn has documented the breach, conducted an on-site inspection, and increased patrols, with Interior Minister Igor Taro reporting no immediate security threat.
  • The Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and scheduled a meeting of border representatives to demand an explanation, which Moscow had not publicly provided in initial reports.
  • Estonia notes Russian vessels are normally required to notify transit to Lake Peipus and links the episode to a wider pattern of recent incidents, including a September airspace violation and unusual river movements.