Russians enter NATO territory PHOTO/VIDEO

“The reason is unknown, but there is no threat to Estonia’s security,” added Minister of Interior Igor Taro, as reported by the Estonian public service ERR.

It was also stated that at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, Estonian border guards, using surveillance equipment, spotted several Russian border guards on an amphibious rubber boat (hovercraft) on the Narva River near the Vasknarva breakwater in Ida-Viru County.

The hovercraft stopped at a stone breakwater, which lies on both Russian and Estonian territory at the entrance to Lake Peipus. Afterward, the three border guards disembarked and walked along the structure.

This incident shows that the Russian border guards crossed from Russia into Estonia and then returned to the Russian side of the breakwater, according to a video released by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), reports Kurir.

The Russian border guards then returned to the hovercraft and went back to the Russian side of the river.

Erik Purgel, head of the Eastern Prefecture of the PPA, said that several Estonian border patrols responded.

“The incident was recorded using surveillance equipment, and an initial inspection of the breakwater was conducted. Official contact was established with a representative of the Russian Border Service to obtain an explanation,” Purgel said.

The Estonian Border Guard has also increased the number of patrols to respond to any further incidents.

A meeting between representatives of the border services was immediately scheduled, and Estonia is awaiting an explanation from the Russian Federation, the PPA announced.

ERR reports that the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon the chargé d’affaires of the Russian embassy for talks.

Taro explained that the incident occurred in an area where, in order to reach Lake Peipus from the Narva River, Russian vessels must request access to pass through Estonian territory.

“There is a long-standing agreement regarding this. They have always informed us in advance… This time they did not notify us, and the incident occurred,” he said.