Estonia Ready to Close Russia Border if Moscow Declares General Mobilization. Here’s Why

Estonia is prepared to close its border crossings with Russia immediately if Moscow declares a general mobilization, according to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, public broadcaster ERR reported on September 17.

Speaking after a government security cabinet meeting that assessed the impact of potential Russian mobilization scenarios, Michal emphasized that Tallinn monitors security developments continuously and has the infrastructure to shut border points on short notice, ERR wrote.

“There is nothing mysterious or extraordinary about this. It is no news to anyone that things are going very badly in Russia,” Michal said.

“There isn’t a single healthy part of their economy and 30,000 to 40,000 men are killed or wounded every month. At some point, they will have to take steps to keep the war going and NATO and European Union countries need to be prepared for those steps,” he continued.

Michal added that border operations can be terminated rapidly: “The border can also be closed immediately, as we have done on occasion when there have been troublemakers at border crossing points. The Police and Border Guard Board and the interior minister are aware of this, and we have the capability to close border crossing points very quickly,” according to ERR.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that a broad compulsory mobilization would heighten internal political friction within Russia, ERR reported.

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“Everyone understands that if, for example, blanket compulsory mobilization is announced for a certain age group, it will significantly increase internal tensions in Russia,” Tsahkna noted.

Tsahkna highlighted that Schengen countries issued roughly 650,000 visas to Russian citizens last year, warning European partners that fleeing mobilization does not automatically grant eligibility for international protection or asylum, ERR wrote.

“A person in Russia may think that if they flee to Europe in the event of mobilization, it gives grounds for international protection,” Tsahkna stated. “It does not.”

It was previously reported that Russian conscripts face increasing restrictions when attempting to leave the country, with numerous documented cases where exit bans appeared in electronic registries without warning or immediately upon arrival at border control.

The tightening of border checks and real-time data sharing with Belarus coincide with escalating front-line losses, estimated at 1.4 million dead or severely injured, driving a surge in Russians attempting to flee abroad through land crossings into neighboring countries.

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