Tallinn, Estonia – January 14, 2026 – Estonia has achieved a major milestone in its eastern border fortification project, completing 110 kilometers (68 miles) of a planned 135-kilometer (84-mile) land control line along its frontier with the Russian Federation, authorities announced on Wednesday. The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) confirmed the progress, emphasizing that the remaining sections, combined with advanced surveillance systems, are on track for full completion by the end of 2027.
Veiko Kommusaar, Head of Border Guard at the PPA, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the initiative in an official statement: “A large part of those kilometers is already covered with new, modern surveillance systems. The installation of surveillance solutions on the remaining infrastructure will continue in the coming years.” The project, initiated in response to heightened security concerns following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, represents one of the most significant border modernization efforts in the Baltic region.
The eastern border between Estonia and Russia spans approximately 294 kilometers in total, with 135 kilometers on land and the rest along rivers and lakes, including the Narva River to the north and Lake Peipus (Peipsi) to the south. The land portion, often referred to as the "control line," has been the primary focus of physical and technological enhancements. Construction includes a combination of steel fencing, delay barriers, patrol roads, surveillance masts, cameras, radars, and motion sensors designed to detect illegal crossings, hybrid threats, or unauthorized movements in real time.
Work is actively progressing in the southern Saatse area, a region complicated by the unique geographical feature known as the Saatse Boot—a small protrusion of Russian territory (about 115 hectares) that historically allowed Estonian roads to pass briefly through Russian land under a pragmatic local agreement. Following an incident on October 10, 2025, when Estonian border guards observed a group of armed Russian personnel on the road within the Boot, authorities permanently closed the transit route and rerouted traffic. Concrete blocks now seal the approximately 900-meter section, with new detour roads under development. A new bridge over the Piusa River and a dedicated road across the Krabilova bog are being constructed to connect the Saatse border guard station directly to the nearby crossing point, ensuring seamless access for patrols without relying on the disputed route.
In the northern sector along the Narva River, radar positions are being upgraded and expanded. Multiple new surveillance stations—beyond the initial five—have been installed or are under construction, improving detection capabilities and reducing response times to potential incidents. These enhancements build on earlier phases, where sections like the 23.5-kilometer stretch around the Luhamaa checkpoint were completed between 2020 and 2022.
The total estimated cost of the project stands at €185.1 million (approximately $201 million), funded through national budgets and partial support from European Union resources. This investment reflects Estonia's broader strategy to create a "smart border" that integrates physical barriers with cutting-edge technology for rapid detection and response. Authorities have also announced plans to begin testing infrastructure along critical segments of the water border later in 2026, focusing on areas with short response windows where hybrid threats—such as unauthorized watercraft or drone incursions—could pose risks.
Notably, some sections of the border under construction include territories originally designated for potential exchange under a bilateral border treaty signed in 2014. That agreement, which aimed to resolve minor discrepancies and formalize the post-Soviet boundary, has never entered into force due to political hurdles. Estonia ratified it in 2015, but Russia has withheld ratification, citing concerns over references to historical treaties like the 1920 Treaty of Tartu, which Russia views as implying territorial claims. The ongoing war in Ukraine has further dimmed prospects for ratification, leading Estonia to proceed unilaterally with infrastructure in all planned areas, including those potentially affected by future exchanges.
The border project gained urgency after the 2022 invasion, as Estonia—along with fellow NATO members Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—sought to bolster defenses against possible hybrid warfare tactics, such as orchestrated migrant flows or provocations. Incidents like the October 2025 sighting in the Saatse Boot, where armed individuals were observed on the transit road, underscored the need for enhanced control. While the overall threat level along the border remains stable, according to PPA assessments, the fortifications serve as a deterrent and ensure Estonia's readiness within the NATO alliance.
Estonia's efforts align with regional trends, including Latvia's and Lithuania's similar fence constructions and the Baltic states' joint "drone wall" initiative to counter aerial threats by 2027. The modernized border enhances not only national security but also supports everyday border management, preventing smuggling, illegal migration, and accidental crossings in challenging terrain.
As construction advances, the PPA continues to emphasize that the infrastructure is defensive in nature, aimed at protecting sovereignty while maintaining open dialogue with allies. With 110 kilometers now operational and equipped with surveillance, Estonia is positioning itself as a resilient frontline state in an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape.
