Russian border guards briefly crossed a temporary control line on the Narva River on 17 December, in what Estonian authorities have described as an illegal incursion into Estonian-controlled territory.

According to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), the incident occurred shortly before 10 am on 17 December at the Vasknarva breakwater. Surveillance cameras detected a hovercraft operated by the Russian Federation’s border service approaching the breakwater from the Russian side. Three Russian border guards disembarked and proceeded on foot along the structure, during which they crossed the control line from Russia towards Estonia. They then returned to their hovercraft and headed back to the Russian shore.

The head of the Border Guard Bureau of the Eastern Prefecture, Eerik Purgel, said several Estonian patrols were dispatched in response.

“The incident has been recorded by surveillance equipment, and an initial inspection was carried out on the breakwater. An official contact has been established with the border representative of the Russian Federation to obtain explanations,” Purgel said.

The Eastern Prefecture has since increased patrols in the area as a precautionary measure.

A meeting between border representatives of Estonia and the Russian Federation is scheduled for 18 December, at which Estonia expects a formal explanation for the crossing. In addition, the Estonian foreign ministry will summon the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

The Narva River forms part of the internationally recognised border between Estonia and Russia. While temporary control lines are used in river sections pending final demarcation, Estonia considers any unauthorised crossing by foreign state officials to be a violation of its border regime.