Estonia Plans to Fully Strengthen its Border With Russia by 2025
Estonia plans to fully fortify its border with Russia by 2025 and equip the ground infrastructure with monitoring tools by the end of 2026.
This is reported by EER.EE with reference to a statement by Janek Mägi, Head of the Migration Policy Department of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Mägi stated that work is currently underway concurrently to strengthen and establish monitoring systems along the border with Russia. This includes the construction of 15 stations on the Narva River.
Estonia is exploring "various possibilities and funds from different sources" to equip border monitoring systems, according to Magi.
The completion of the fortification of the eastern Estonian-Russian border is expected by the end of 2027, contingent on funding. Experts estimate an additional €55 million will be needed.
"Our vision is that the border will be 100% covered by technical surveillance, everything will be visible, we will be able to see low-flying objects, including drones. However, we currently have no solutions regarding the funding for its final readiness," emphasized Mägi.
Additionally, the head of the Migration Policy Department noted that the Estonian government has made several decisions to expedite the completion of the border project.
It's worth mentioning that Estonia shares a 333.7-kilometer border with Russia, approximately 207.5 kilometers on land and rivers. There are seven border crossing points along the Estonian-Russian border.
The initiative to build a fence and modernize infrastructure on the border with Russia was proposed in 2018. However, actual construction began in 2021, following a migration surge on the borders of the European Union, instigated by the actions of the Belarusian government with support from Russia.
As a reminder, analysts from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) have identified Russia as a direct threat to NATO. They believe that in case of the Ukraine conflict shifting into a cold phase, Russia might enhance its military capabilities and potentially attack the eastern NATO members – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
According to forecasts, NATO countries have a maximum of 6-10 years to strengthen their combat readiness and be prepared for a potential war.