Estonia to close Russia border after ‘sabotage’ bid

Detailed summary

Estonia said Sunday it would close its border with Russia after stopping what it said was an attempted arson attack by Russia’s GRU military intelligence on a drone factory. “…

Estonia will close all border crossings with Russia from December 1. Photo / Jaap Arriens, AFP

Estonia said it would close its border with Russia after stopping what it said was an attempted arson attack by Russia’s GRU military intelligence on a drone factory.

“Estonia will close all Estonian-Russian border crossing points as of 1 December,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna posted on X, citing “clear evidence” that the GRU had ordered the attack.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kristen Michal wrote on X that the GRU had ordered a “sabotage attempt” at the Estonian defence company Threod Systems yesterday NZT.

“Extensive damage was averted thanks to heightened security measures and a swift reaction by law enforcement. The attackers have been detained,” he added.

Tsahkna, in his later post, said: “Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences. Attempts to intimidate, destabilise, or undermine our security will not go unanswered.”

He also said that he had informed his Finnish, Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts of the decision.

Security forces arrested eight individuals who live in Latvia, chief prosecutor Astrid Asi told journalists.

Michal called the incident “part of Russia’s broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia”.

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