Estonia shuts Russia border crossings after eight arrests over Threod Systems arson attempt
Estonia will close its border crossings with Russia after eight people were detained overnight over an attempted arson attack on drone maker Threod Systems, an incident Tallinn says was ordered by Russia’s GRU military intelligence. There was no immediate comment from Moscow. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced the step on Sunday, writing that Russia must understand hostile actions against Estonia bring consequences and that attempts to intimidate, destabilise or undermine security would not go unanswered. He said closing the crossings would reduce Russia’s ability to carry out hostile activities in Estonia and help prevent sanctions circumvention, but he did not say how long the closure would last.
The Baltic state, an EU and NATO member and a strong ally of Ukraine, currently has three open crossings with Russia at Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula. Latvia’s Interior Minister Janis Dombrava thanked Estonia’s Internal Security Service, saying several of those arrested were Latvian citizens and non-citizens, and argued that since the collapse of the USSR some people have been willing to commit serious crimes in Russia’s interests. Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said the arrests showed Estonia was prepared to respond swiftly and that a Russian state-sponsored campaign of terror should not be left to diplomatic protests. He described a shadow war aimed at dividing Europe and undermining support for Ukraine, and called border closure one of the asymmetric measures Europe should use.
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