Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced Sunday that Estonia will close every Russian border crossing from Dec. 1. The move follows a suspected arson plot targeting drone maker Threod Systems.
Authorities detained eight people over the suspected attempt against Threod Systems. The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) assessed that Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, commissioned the plot. That intelligence assessment is not a court finding. Estonia had previously weighed shutting the border in an earlier report on the closure debate.
The decision extends a security dispute involving a NATO and European Union member to cross-border movement with Russia. Reuters reported no immediate response from Moscow to Estonia’s allegations or the closure announcement. Reuters said Moscow has often rejected European authorities’ claims that it took part in sabotage operations.
ERR reported that Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula were the three crossings then open to pedestrians and freight. Tsahkna did not say how long the closure would last or whether an end date had been set.
