Estonia to shut Russian border with Putin 'plotting NATO attack'

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Prime minister Kristen Michal also warned that 'necessary steps' should be taken to close Estonia's eastern border with Russia after an attempted arson attack

Estonia is set to close all of its border crossing points with Russia in days after a sabotage attack ordered by the Kremlin.

The measure will come into force on December 1 and was announced this afternoon by Estonian foreign affairs minister Margus Tshanka. Prime minister Kristen Michal also warned that "necessary steps" should be taken to close Estonia's eastern border after an attempted arson attack this morning.

Foreign affairs minister Margus Tshanka warned Russia to "understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences". He explained that closing the Baltic country's borders with Russia will reduce the Kremlin's ability "to conduct hostile activities in Estonia".

The minister added that he also informed Finland, Latvia and Lithuania about the decision. Posting on X, Mr Tshanka said: "Following clear evidence that Russia’s military intelligence service GRU, ordered a sabotage attack against an Estonian defence industry company, Estonia will close all Estonian-Russian border crossing points as of 1 December. Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences.

"Attempts to intimidate, destabilise, or undermine our security will not go unanswered. Closing the border crossings will reduce Russia’s ability to conduct hostile activities in Estonia and strengthen our efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention.

"I have informed my Finnish, Latvian, and Lithuanian counterparts of this decision."

Earlier today, the Estonian Internal Security Service said an attempted arson attack was launched on a defence industry company that manufactures drones. The authority said suspects were "quickly detained" and advised people not to consider "such job offers from Russia".

The statement read: "At 3:06 a.m. on November 14, an attempt was made to attack the premises of a defense industry company Threod Systems that manufactures drones, with the aim of causing an explosion and setting the building on fire.

Estonia is part of NATO's eastern…

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