EU‑Russia tensions over border buoys: Provocation on Narva river

The incident on the Narva River fits into the broader pattern of provocative behaviours and hybrid actions by Russia, stated the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on Friday. He also expressed his expectation that Russia will provide explanations for the incident and return the buoys that were removed from the river.

On Thursday morning, the Narva River, which forms the border between Estonia and Russia, was involved in an incident. The Russian border guard removed 24 buoys on the Estonian side of the river. The Estonians did not attempt to oppose the Russians to avoid provoking an escalation of the situation. The Estonian authorities regarded this event as a provocation.

Borrell shared the Estonian authorities' assessment, recognizing the incident as part of a broader pattern of Russia's provocative actions. He noted that this incident at the border fits into Russia's broader scheme of provocative behaviours and hybrid actions, including those at its sea and land borders in the Baltic Sea region.

Borrell emphasized that the European Union has closely monitored the situation, maintaining a spirit of cooperation and solidarity with Estonia and other member states. He stated that the EU expects explanations from Russia regarding the removal of the buoys and their immediate return.

Last year, the Russian side opposed the installation of about half of the 250 planned new buoys on the river by Estonian services. These devices are intended to facilitate navigation in the border region and prevent accidental intrusion into Russian territory.

Egert Belitsev, the head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard (PPA), said at a press conference that they had not tried to oppose the Russians to avoid escalation. Using force would mean opening fire from a distance. But they will seek the return of the buoys through diplomatic means.

"This action by Russia, carried out in the shadow of the night, fits well within the broader pattern of Russia's provocative behavior, including on its borders with neighbors, most recently vis-à-vis Lithuania and Finland" – stated the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the BNS agency, the Russian border guard removed 24 buoys on the Narva River's Estonian side early Thursday morning. The Russian services have not yet provided reasons for their actions. At Thursday's government conference, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that this is a "border incident" that requires clarification.

The border between Estonia and Russia is approximately 340 kilometres long, with about 76 kilometres running along the Narva River.