The European Union has strongly condemned Russia’s recent removal of buoys marking the border with Estonia on the Narva River. According to Estonian officials, 24 out of 50 buoys placed to mark sailing routes were removed in the early hours of Thursday, escalating tensions in the region.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell characterized Russia’s actions as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that they are part of a broader pattern of provocative behavior and hybrid actions by Russia in the Baltic Sea region. Borrell’s statement highlighted concerns about Russia’s aggressive stance in the wake of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expressed alarm over Moscow’s behavior, describing the buoy removal as part of a “broader pattern” of actions aimed at creating fear and anxiety. Kallas stated that she was seeking clarification from Russia regarding the situation.
Estonia’s border guard service reported that Moscow had taken issue with the placement of the floating markers, which are used to prevent boats from straying into foreign waters. Russia disputed the planned locations of about half of the 250 buoys installed in the region.
In response to the incident, Estonia’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and demanded the immediate return of the removed buoys. The ministry characterized the action as a “provocative border incident” and emphasized the need for Russia to adhere to international norms and agreements regarding border delineation.
The removal of the buoys comes shortly after the Russian defense ministry briefly published a proposal to revise its maritime border in the Baltic Sea. The proposal, which was quickly deleted, raised concerns among NATO members, including Estonia.
At the time of reporting, Moscow had not issued a statement regarding the incident. However, the removal of the border markers underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and its Baltic neighbors, particularly in the wake of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its broader assertive posture in the region.
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate geopolitical dynamics in the Baltic Sea region and the challenges posed by Russia’s assertiveness. As the EU and NATO continue to monitor the situation closely, efforts to de-escalate tensions and uphold international norms remain paramount.
