The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has denied claims that leaflets were being handed out at Narva border checkpoints to warn travelers about a potential border closure toward Russia. The denial came from official police channels and was reported by Delphi News. According to the authorities, no leaflets are being distributed at border crossings with such information at this time. The clarification was issued to counter circulating reports about border closures that might be activated in response to security or migration pressures.
The police stated clearly that current border management practices do not include distributing informational leaflets at border crossings. They emphasized that any public guidance about border status would come through official channels rather than on-site handouts. The police also recalled that leaflets with similar content had appeared in December 2023 when Finland temporarily closed its border amid a surge of migrants from Russia. But Estonia has not adopted a similar approach at present, and authorities stressed that any decision to close gates would be taken through formal state procedures and announced through official communications.
Law enforcement officials noted that there had been a prior notice on the Estonian Border Guard Service website that the country could close border gates on its Russian border if migration pressures intensified. The stated aim behind such potential measures is to safeguard national security and maintain public order. The current posture, however, is to monitor situations closely and rely on established security protocols rather than distributing on-site warnings.
There have been past statements suggesting that Russia might be testing NATO readiness, a claim that has been referenced in discussions about regional security. Officials and observers alike have cited the broader context of regional security threats and the ongoing coordination among Baltic states and allied partners to manage migration and border security effectively. The emphasis remains on transparent, predictable government communications and orderly border management, rather than ad hoc or unverified notices in public spaces. While some voices have pointed to potential escalation, Estonia appears to be prioritizing measured, rule-based responses and reliance on formal announcements rather than informal leafleting at the border.