Russian Orthodox priest Roman Kolesnikov banned from entering Estonia on security grounds

Roman Kolesnikov, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church serving in Estonia since fall 2025, was banned from entering Estonia on January 2, 2026, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ministry's internal security department stated Kolesnikov's activities supported Russia's aggressive foreign policy and the 'Russian world' ideology that justifies war and violence. It further highlighted how Russian Orthodox Church structures are exploited by Russian intelligence to undermine other states’ security. Kolesnikov becomes the third clergyman to be banned from Estonia on security grounds within the last year. The Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (formerly under the Moscow Patriarchate) has yet to comment.