Estonia closes road through Russian territory after troop sighting

Estonia has temporarily closed a road used by its citizens that runs through a small stretch of Russian territory after reports of Russian soldiers standing there, the country’s public broadcaster said Sunday.

The Police and Border Guard Board said the closure followed the sighting of a larger-than-usual Russian unit in the area. The road, which passes through the Saatse Boot in southeastern Estonia, is around a kilometre long and normally allows passage without a permit, although stopping is prohibited.

Estonian media reported that roughly 10 Russian troops were seen on the road. While Russian border patrols are common, it is unusual for soldiers to stand on a road frequently used by Estonians.

Interior Minister Igor Taro said the troops had left and the situation was calm, but the road will remain closed at least until Tuesday. “There is no direct threat of war,” he added, noting that Estonia’s Defence Forces have confirmed the situation remains stable.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna sought to calm concerns, writing on X that reports suggesting escalating tensions were “exaggerated.” He added that Estonia plans to stop using the road entirely in the longer term, with alternative routes already available and new ones under construction, describing the current arrangement as a “historical anomaly.”

The closure comes amid heightened alert across Estonia and other NATO countries on the bloc’s eastern flank, following recent incursions by Russian aircraft and drones into Estonian and Polish airspace — the most serious cross-border incidents since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The measure is intended to protect residents and prevent potential incidents while authorities continue monitoring the area closely.

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