Estonia Implements Nighttime Closure of Border Crossings with Russia in the Southeast

Estonian authorities have decided to temporarily suspend nighttime vehicular traffic at two key border crossings with Russia: Luhamaa and Koidula. These restrictions come into effect on February 24, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While official statements do not directly link these facts, commentators emphasize the symbolic significance of this date. According to representatives of the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, this step is a necessary response to repeated incidents and attempts by Russian services to violate the control line. Since 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Baltic states have regularly signaled the threat posed by the Russian Federation, resulting in the systematic tightening of NATO's external borders.Veiko Kommusaar, head of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), explained that the nighttime closure of the crossings will allow for more efficient management of human resources. Additional officers will be directed to patrol areas where the risk of illegal border crossing or other provocations is highest. Estonia is grappling with Russia's hybrid actions, which include, among other things, violations of the border on the Narva River. At the same time, the crossing in Narva remains open for pedestrian traffic, which is intended to minimize disruptions for the local population while maintaining national security standards. „Nocne zamknięcie przejść granicznych pozwoli skierować dodatkowych funkcjonariuszy na te odcinki granicy lądowej i wodnej, na których prawdopodobieństwo wystąpienia ewentualnych incydentów jest największe.” (The nighttime closure of border crossings will allow us to redirect additional officers to those sections of the land and sea border where the probability of potential incidents is greatest.) — Head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA)The restrictions are set to last for three months, but the government does not rule out an extension depending on the geopolitical situation. This decision is part of a broader trend among NATO member states bordering Russia, which are seeking to maximally restrict cross-border traffic in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine.