Estonia Halts Night Traffic at Two Border Crossings with Russia

Estonia has halted vehicular traffic at night on two main road border crossings with Russia. The restrictions apply to the crossings at Luhamaa and Koidula and have been in effect since February 24. The decision is preventive and stems from an assessment of the threat posed by the Russian Federation. Authorities in Tallinn point to repeated attempts to violate the line of control and incidents they classify as provocations. The effective date of the restrictions coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which many observers see as symbolic, although official statements do not directly link these facts. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Baltic states, as members of NATO and the EU, have consistently strengthened security on the border with Russia, viewing it as a source of potential hybrid threats and instability.The head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, Veiko Kommusaar, explained that the goal of the night closure is more efficient allocation of resources. It will allow additional officers to be directed to patrol sections where the risk of illegal crossings or incidents is greatest, including the river border on the Narva. It was on the Narva that violations by Russian services were previously recorded. It is worth noting that the border crossing in Narva remains open for pedestrian traffic, which is intended to mitigate the impact of the decision on local border communities. „Nocne zamknięcie przejść granicznych pozwoli skierować dodatkowych funkcjonariuszy na te odcinki granicy lądowej i wodnej, na których prawdopodobieństwo wystąpienia ewentualnych incydentów jest największe.” (The night closure of border crossings will allow additional officers to be directed to those sections of the land and water border where the probability of potential incidents is greatest.) — Head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard BoardThe measures have been introduced for a period of three months, but the government does not rule out extending them, depending on the assessment of the situation. Estonia's decision fits into a broader trend among NATO countries bordering Russia, which are gradually restricting the flow of people and goods in response to the Kremlin's aggressive policy and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Tallinn's move is seen as part of building resilience to potential hybrid actions aimed at destabilizing internal security and testing the alliance's response.