Russian border guards cross into Estonia at the Vasknarva breakwater

Shortly before 10 a.m. on 17 December 2025, Estonian surveillance recorded three Russian border guards leaving a hovercraft and walking along the Vasknarva breakwater on the Narva River across the temporary control line into Estonian territory, before returning to Russia; the interior minister said they were on Estonian soil for about 20 minutes without the usual notification. On 18 December the Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires and delivered a protest note.

Established by. Named: Russia. Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (17 and 18 Dec 2025) and Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). Estonia has not established the motive; Interior Minister Igor Taro said there was no direct security threat.

Latest. On 30 Jan 2026 the PPA said Russia 'continues to deny the illegal border crossing documented by Estonia' and ended border-representative talks on the matter; surveillance of the section was reinforced.

Link to the war against Ukraine. Foreign Minister Tsahkna said the best answer to Russia's testing of the border is continued support for Ukraine and more pressure on Russia.