Estonia to shut 3 Russia road crossings over sabotage attempt

Estonia will close its border crossings with Russia from Dec. 1, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Sunday, after authorities said Russia's GRU ordered an unsuccessful attempt to sabotage a drone maker.

"Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences," Tsahkna wrote on X.

Estonian authorities detained eight people on suspicion of attempting to set fire to Threod Systems, a maker of reconnaissance and attack drones. The eight live in Latvia, chief prosecutor Astrid Asi said. Five have been remanded in custody, Newsweek reported, citing unspecified reports.

Authorities said the suspects sought to enter Threod Systems' premises in Viimsi, north of Tallinn, on Saturday to cause an explosion and set the building on fire.

Estonia's Internal Security Service, known as KAPO, said the GRU ordered the attack. Tsahkna said authorities had clear evidence linking the order to the GRU.

Moscow had no immediate comment on the accusations or the border closure plan, Reuters reported. It has regularly denied European authorities' accusations of involvement in sabotage.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal wrote on X that "extensive damage was averted thanks to heightened security measures and a swift reaction by law enforcement."

On the night of 14 November, GRU-ordered sabotage attempt targeted Estonian defence company Threod Systems. Extensive damage was averted thanks to heightened security measures and a swift reaction by law enforcement. The attackers have been detained. This is part of Russia’s

— Kristen Michal (@KristenMichalPM) November 15, 2026

Michal said the attempt was "part of Russia's broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia."

"Estonia is safe and secure. Our state institutions are vigilant, and our people and businesses know how to respond. We will not be intimidated," Michal said.

Tsahkna wrote that "Estonia will close all Estonian-Russian border crossing points as of 1 December." The Foreign Ministry said the measure covers road crossings. Three road crossings with Russia remain open, at Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula.

Tsahkna did not specify the duration of the closure or whether an end date had been set. It was not immediately known if railway crossings were included.

Estonia is a NATO and European Union member and a strong supporter of Ukraine. In August, Latvian nationals were arrested after an attempted arson attack targeted Tallinn-based defense company Milrem Robotics. Estonian authorities have attributed that attack to Russian intelligence.

Tsahkna said he had contacted his counterparts in Lithuania, Latvia and Finland about the closure and informed EU colleagues. He will discuss increasing pressure on Russia with EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.