TALLINN, Estonia.– Estonia decided to close all of its land border crossings with Russia as of December 1, in a new escalation of the security measures adopted by the Baltic country against Moscow. The decision was announced this Sunday, hours after eight people were detained for an attempted arson attack against Threod Systems, an Estonian company that manufactures reconnaissance and attack drones for the defense sector. This photograph taken on December 15, 2024 shows the Narva-Ivangorod crossing on the Estonian-Russian border in NarvaMARKO MUMM - AFPThe Tallinn government attributed the attack to the GRU, Russia's military intelligence service, and maintained that the operation was part of the hybrid war Moscow is waging against Europe. Russia had not immediately responded to the accusations. Moscow routinely rejects European allegations linking it to sabotage operations."Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia have consequences," said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna when announcing the closure. According to the official, the measure will reduce Russia's capacity to carry out hostile activities on Estonian territory and will also limit the risks associated with sanctions evasion. The incident that precipitated the decision occurred Saturday night in Viimsi, north of Tallinn. A representative of the Border Guard Office in the Eastern Prefecture of Estonia stands next to the "dragon's teeth" fortificationsMARKO MUMM - AFPEight Latvian citizens were detained after attempting to enter the Threod Systems facilities with the aim of causing an explosion and setting the building on fire, according to Estonian authorities. Estonia's Internal Security Service (KAPO) stated that the attack had been ordered by the GRU. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that greater damage was avoided thanks to security measures and the swift intervention of security forces. He described the incident as part of a Russian campaign aimed at generating fear, weakening European support for Ukraine, and increasing pressure on governments that back Kyiv. The decision affects the three land crossings that still operate between Estonia and Russia: Narva, Luhamaa, and Koidula. They allow the transit of pedestrians and goods and operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Narva is the most important and one of the few land crossings still open between Russia and the European Union. An Estonian border marker installed at the entrance to the border bridge in Narva is displayed in Narva, on the Estonian-Russian border, on January 15, 2026. STR - AFPThe measure must be discussed by the Estonian government, which will also determine whether the closure will be temporary or indefinite. The border with Russia is especially sensitive for Estonia, a country of 1.3 million inhabitants that regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and joined NATO and the European Union in 2004. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Tallinn has become one of Kyiv's main defenders. The closure also has a security dimension. Estonia maintains that border crossings can be used by Russia to exert influence, facilitate hostile activities, and contribute to the evasion of European sanctions. The sabotage accusation adds to another incident. In August, the defense company Milrem Robotics, based in Tallinn, was the target of an arson attempt for which Latvian citizens were also detained. Estonia considers these incidents part of a broader Russian hybrid war strategy, which includes sabotage operations, espionage, cyberattacks, and campaigns aimed at generating political pressure on European countries that support Ukraine. For Tallinn, Moscow's goal is to raise the cost of that support without reaching a direct military confrontation. Narva Castle (L) and the Ivangorod Fortress (R) are seen next to the border bridge over the Narva River in Narva, on January 15, 2026. STR - AFPEstonia shares about 300 kilometers of border with Russia and is located at one of the most sensitive points of NATO's eastern flank. On the other side of the Narva River is the Russian city of Ivangorod. The decision also has strong political value. Estonia wants to make clear that any operation against its defense industry will have consequences and that the war in Ukraine is no longer limited to the battlefield. For Tallinn, the attack against Threod Systems demonstrates that the confrontation is also being waged within European borders. The closure of the border crossings does not in itself represent a NATO decision. It is a unilateral measure by Tallinn aimed at reducing transit and security risks. However, it will have a concrete impact on a border that was still being used by people and freight transport. AP and AFP agencies