Estonia is bolstering security along its border with Russia, installing radar towers and a new access road following recent incidents.
Estonia Strengthens Security Measures
The investment follows events that occurred last autumn, when Russian border guards entered Estonian territory via a hovercraft across the Narva River and landed on an Estonian breakwater.
Ukraine also attacked Russian ports and oil terminals on the Gulf of Finland through late March, with several drones entering Estonian airspace and one striking a chimney at the Auvere power plant near Narva.
New Infrastructure Planned
Estonia has decided to install 14 radar towers near the Narva River, which forms the northeastern border with Russia, according to radio ERR. A nearly 80-kilometer access road will also be built along the river.
This solution is intended to help police and border guard officers quickly reach difficult, swampy areas, with the entire investment scheduled for completion in 2027.
“Unique Solution” for Border Control
According to Interior Minister Igor Taro, the area from the riverbank to the nearest main road is currently a “grey zone.” Deputy Head of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) Veiko Kommusaar described the project—including patrol, border surveillance, and drone detection capabilities—as a “unique solution.”
Current Surveillance Capabilities
Estonian services are currently able to observe approximately 70 percent of the border area along the Narva River. The entire Estonian border with Russia is over 338 km long, with about 135 km being land, primarily in difficult forested and swampy terrain.
The Narva River marks 76 km of the border, while 127 km runs through Lake Peipus.