Estonia extends security measures on Russian border
The Estonian government has extended the 12-hour working hours of vehicle checkpoints on the border with Russia indefinitely. This restriction will now also apply to railway crossings. Tallinn explained the decision as a security measure.
Estonia extends security measures on the border with Russia
The Estonian government approved the proposal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at a meeting on August 13 to extend the 12-hour working hours of automobile crossing points on the border with Russia for an indefinite period. This regime will also be introduced at railway crossing points.
According to the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Narva, Koidula and Lukhamaa border crossing points have been operating since spring from 07:00 to 19:00. On the Russian side, corresponding checkpoints are located in Ivangorod, Kunichina Gora and Shumilkino.
Initially, this temporary regime was planned to be in effect until the end of August. Now its validity is unlimited.
Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Taro said that the main purpose of the restrictions is to strengthen border security, increase the ability to quickly respond to potential border incidents and strengthen customs control.
According to him, these goals remain relevant today. The minister linked the decision to the general state of relations between Russia and the European Union, including the war in Ukraine.
At the same time, Taro said that the Estonian government does not see the need to completely close the border with Russia yet. Neighboring Finland closed its land border crossings with Russia in December 2023.
According to the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, the number of people crossing the land border with Russia has also decreased.
In the first half of 2025, about 512 thousand people crossed the land checkpoints between the two countries, while in the same period of 2026 this figure was 444 thousand. This is 13 percent less than a year ago.
The number of vehicles crossing the border also decreased by 20 percent - from 43.5 thousand to 35 thousand. There has also been a significant decrease in the number of trains passing through railway checkpoints.
Russia has closed seven of its nine railway crossings with Finland, Estonia and Latvia since July 1. The Pechory-Pskovsky crossing on the Estonian route has been closed, while the Ivangorod freight and passenger crossing in the Leningrad region has been left open.
The Russian side has not provided any information on the reasons for this decision or how long the restrictions will be in effect.