Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has imposed temporary movement restrictions and a night-time curfew in two districts of the Leningrad region directly bordering Estonia. The measures introduced by Russian security authorities in the Kingisepp and Slantsy districts were reported by Estonia’s national public broadcaster ERR.
According to an official statement by the FSB Border Directorate for St Petersburg and the Leningrad region, the special regime is in effect from 16 to 26 September, officially to “prevent violations of border and migration regulations” and “protect aquatic biological resources.”
During this period, small vessels are completely prohibited from navigating the Narva River on the section from Bolshaya Cherzhomukha to the Kryusha River. Night-time movement, hunting and the carrying of firearms are also prohibited within a five-kilometre border zone outside populated areas.
Representatives of Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) said they had been aware of Russia’s plans to introduce the restrictions, despite receiving no direct notification from Russian border authorities.
PPA representative Andris Viltsin said Moscow periodically introduces similar measures as a precaution or as part of exercises, adding that border restrictions on the Russian side have traditionally been considerably stricter.
At the same time, Estonian authorities are considering the FSB measures in the broader context of recent engineering works to reinforce the banks of the Narva River and efforts to strengthen the response capabilities of Russian security forces in the area.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro, meanwhile, said he could not rule out that the tighter border restrictions and suspension of navigation could be preparations for another wave of mobilisation in Russia, aimed at preventing military-age citizens from attempting to flee abroad.
