Russian border guards breach Estonia — Bloomberg
Photo: A group of Russian border guards infiltrated Estonia (Getty Images)
Three Russian border guards crossed the border on Wednesday and entered Estonian territory. They remained in the EU country for about 20 minutes, according to Bloomberg.
Estonian and Russian officials will meet to discuss the issue. Estonia has said it will also summon the Russian diplomat in Tallinn to the Foreign Ministry.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro stressed that it is too early to say whether the incident was accidental or a deliberate provocation. The incursion was recorded on video, and border patrols in the area have been stepped up.
Estonia and Russia have not ratified a border treaty for years. Much of the actual border runs along the Narva River, but Wednesday's border violation occurred on a narrow strip of land where Estonian territory extends to the other side of the river.
In September, Estonia called for emergency talks with NATO and appealed to the UN Security Council after Russian planes violated Estonian airspace.
In October, Estonia also closed access to a road that had been used for years as a shortcut through Russian territory after reports that Russian soldiers were intimidating residents in the area.
Estonia strengthens its border with Russia
Estonia has planned to build a line of defense on its border with Russia. In particular, it will build 600 bunkers in border areas with Russia.
Additionally, an almost 40-kilometer anti-tank trench will be built on Estonia's southeastern border over the next two years. The Estonian opposition party has also initiated a bill proposing to close the border with Russia.
Estonia has also begun construction of the first concrete bunkers on its southeastern border with Russia as part of the Baltic defense line.
