Estonia temporarily shuts night traffic at two border checkpoints with Russia

The Estonian government has decided to temporarily close nighttime traffic at two road border crossings with Russia — Luhamaa and Koidula — in response to repeated border incidents involving Russian forces.

According to the government’s communications office, cited by Estonian media, the measure will take effect on February 24 and will remain in place for three months. During this period, the Luhamaa and Koidula checkpoints will be closed to all traffic at night, while during daytime hours they will operate for 12 hours.

The government said the nighttime closures will allow authorities to redirect more resources toward strengthening border security.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal of the Reform Party said that Russia’s ongoing provocative actions at the border cannot be ignored.

“Since Russia sometimes behaves irrationally at the border, we need to free up resources for more effective border protection. From February 24, we will reduce the operating hours of the border crossings for three months and close them at night so that we can monitor the situation more closely in other sections of the border. At the same time, full customs controls toward Russia will remain in force. Further decisions will be made based on security needs and developments at the border,” Michal said.

Interior Minister Igor Taro of the Eesti 200 party noted that the conduct of Russian border guards continually requires additional resources and heightened attention from Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board.

“By reducing nighttime operating hours at the border crossings, we will be able to use our personnel more efficiently where they are needed most,” Taro said.

He added that the measure is being introduced for three months initially, after which the situation will be reassessed and further steps may be taken.

Taro also pointed out that the decision reflects a sharp decline in border traffic between Estonia and Russia.

“Compared with 2018, the number of border crossings has fallen by about five times. In 2018, 5.3 million people crossed the eastern border, while in 2025 the figure dropped to 1,084,320,” the interior minister said.

Last year, the busiest checkpoint was Narva, with 626,470 crossings. It was followed by Luhamaa with 239,542 and Koidula with 213,910.

In 2025, a total of 239,542 people crossed the Luhamaa checkpoint when entering and leaving Estonia. Of these, 41 per cent were citizens of European Union countries, including 9 per cent Estonian citizens and 18.5 per cent Latvian citizens. The remaining 59 per cent were citizens of third countries, including 31 per cent Russian citizens.

During the same year, 213,910 people crossed through the Koidula checkpoint. Of these, 59 per cent were citizens of European Union member states, including 46 per cent Estonian citizens, while 41 per cent were citizens of third countries, including 28 per cent Russian citizens.

The Narva border crossing has already been closed during nighttime hours since May 1, 2024.

By Tamilla Hasanova