Estonia plans to install blade-equipped buoys along border with Russia

Estonia is planning to trial floating border infrastructure, including chains of buoys equipped with cutting blades, along its border with Russia to deter illegal crossings by water.

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) is set to test these systems, especially in areas prone to unauthorized entries, with a budget of €1 million over three years, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Deputy Director General Veiko Kommusaara highlighted the need for such measures, noting that only 135 kilometres of the 338-kilometre border is land-based.

The proposed buoys are designed to be difficult to cross; they rotate in the water, making them hard to grab onto. Some buoys may even have cutting blades to deter boats. The PPA is also considering a floating fence solution on pontoons, which would function like a regular fence when the water level is low.

Previous incidents, such as the apprehension of individuals crossing the Narva River and the theft of border buoys by Russian authorities, have underscored the urgency for improved security. The trials will begin next year in strategic locations, including the Narva River and Lake Lämmijärv, focusing on areas where crossings are easier. The effectiveness of these solutions in winter conditions will also be evaluated.

By Vafa Guliyeva