Enhanced security measures implemented on Narva bridge with the installation of entry gates by Estonia's border patrol.
Estonia Strengthens Border Security with Narva Bridge Upgrades
Estonia is enhancing its border security measures at the Narva bridge crossing with Russia, installing new metal gates and barriers to bolster control and prevent unauthorized crossings. The upgrades, which include heavy metal gates on the vehicle lane of the bridge and retractable barriers at all vehicle entry points, are part of a larger plan to secure the country's borders.
The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) first announced the upgrades in July 2024, citing the need to improve border control after an incident five years ago where a vehicle from the Russian side broke through existing barriers. The work is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2025, with a total cost of €2 million.
The security enhancements come as heightened tensions and security concerns between Estonia and Russia persist. Veiko Kommusaar, deputy director general of the PPA, stated that Estonian officials have been ready to face a migration attack from Russia for a long time. The barriers, which will also be installed at the Luhamaa and Koidula border checkpoints in south Estonia, aim to prevent forceful vehicle crossings, better manage border traffic, and allow for complete closure of the checkpoint if necessary.
The Narva bridge, which connects Estonia with Russia, has been closed to vehicles since 2024 due to maintenance work on the Russian side. The installation of concrete blocks - dragons' teeth - and temporary barriers on the Estonian side started in November 2023. On the Russian side, new transport checkpoint construction is also underway to complement the overall border fortification efforts.
The Finnish authorities have called the move a hybrid attack similar to the situation on the Belarusian border with Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. Russia has allowed around 30 people to exit the country and attempt to enter the EU without the correct documents, sparking concerns about potential migrant influxes.
Antti Eensalu, head of the PPA's Narva checkpoint, stated that the barriers help prevent vehicles from forcefully driving through the border checkpoint and aid in managing potential migration surges. The pedestrian passage remains open currently but will be gated later. The Narva bridge, located in the middle of the Narva River, serves as both a physical barrier and a tool to regulate and monitor cross-border traffic more effectively.
[1] Estonian Public Broadcasting. (2024). Estonia strengthens border control at Narva bridge. [online] Available at: https://www.err.ee/1166781/estonia-strengthens-border-control-at-narva-bridge
[2] Border Guard. (2024). Narva border checkpoint to be upgraded. [online] Available at: https://police.ee/en/news/narva-border-checkpoint-be-upgraded
[3] ERR News. (2024). Estonia to install barriers at Narva border checkpoint. [online] Available at: https://news.err.ee/1166763/estonia-to-install-barriers-at-narva-border-checkpoint
[4] ERR News. (2023). Narva bridge closed to vehicles due to maintenance on Russian side. [online] Available at: https://news.err.ee/1161856/narva-bridge-closed-to-vehicles-due-to-maintenance-on-russian-side
[5] ERR News. (2025). Narva border checkpoint upgrades nearing completion. [online] Available at: https://news.err.ee/1199890/narva-border-checkpoint-upgrades-nearing-completion
- The upgrades at the Narva bridge, including heavy metal gates and retractable barriers, have been implemented amidst the political tension between Estonia and Russia, as part of a larger general-news initiative to secure the country's borders and control crime-and-justice issues.
- The installation of new barriers at the Narva border checkpoint, Luhamaa, and Koidula in south Estonia, serves dual purposes: preventing forceful vehicle crossings in the face of potential migration surges from Russia, while also improving border traffic management and enabling complete closure of the checkpoints if necessary, making it a significant crime-and-justice and general-news development.
