Bloomberg: Estonia accuses Russian border guards of brief incursion

Estonian authorities have accused three Russian border guards of briefly crossing into the country’s territory, highlighting ongoing tensions between the NATO member and Moscow.

According to Estonian officials, the three Russian personnel entered Estonian territory for approximately 20 minutes on December 17, Bloomberg reports.

The Baltic nation described the episode as part of a pattern of incidents that have raised concerns about Russia’s intentions.

In response to the incident, Estonian and Russian officials are scheduled to meet to discuss the border crossing, the country’s border protection agency said in a statement. Additionally, Estonia announced plans to summon Russia’s top diplomatic envoy in Tallinn to provide explanations.

The brief incursion comes amid heightened vigilance along Estonia’s eastern border and ongoing concerns over regional security, particularly given Estonia’s membership in both NATO and the European Union.

Earlier, Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro confirmed that three Russian border guards crossed the Estonian-Russian border in eastern Estonia without permission.

The motive behind the incursion is unknown, but he emphasised there was no threat to Estonia’s security.

By Vafa Guliyeva