A Russian border guard vessel violated Estonia's maritime border in the Gulf of Riga near the island of Saaremaa on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Estonian Border Guard detected the vessel approaching Estonian territorial waters and ordered it to leave the area, which it eventually did. The vessel was identified through radar and visual observation in the vicinity of Ruhnu Island and western Saaremaa. Estonia considers the incident a violation of its sovereignty and filed a diplomatic protest with Russia. Local residents also reported a drone crossing into Estonia and flying as far as Põlva county several days earlier, likely originating from Russia, raising additional concerns about hybrid threats and surveillance activities targeting Estonia. The Estonian government condemned these actions and emphasized its commitment to protecting its borders and security.

A Russian border guard vessel violated Estonia's maritime border in the Gulf of Riga near the island of Saaremaa on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Estonian Border Guard detected the vessel approaching Estonian territorial waters and ordered it to leave the area, which it eventually did. The vessel was identified through radar and visual observation in the vicinity of Ruhnu Island and western Saaremaa. Estonia considers the incident a violation of its sovereignty and filed a diplomatic protest with Russia. Local residents also reported a drone crossing into Estonia and flying as far as Põlva county several days earlier, likely originating from Russia, raising additional concerns about hybrid threats and surveillance activities targeting Estonia. The Estonian government condemned these actions and emphasized its commitment to protecting its borders and security.