BRUSSELS — Estonia has not yet identified the affiliation or purpose of a group of armed Russian men recently spotted near the Baltic country’s border, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told
Speaking at the NATO defense ministers’ meeting, Pevkur told The Moscow Times that journalists should ask Russia who the masked men wearing camouflage were, but should not expect an honest answer.
“Ask the Russians,” he said. “Communicating with Russia means that you can never expect that they will tell the truth. They will just tell you what they want to say.”
“It was the same also with the MiGs they said were not in their airspace,” he added, referring to the two Russian aircraft that crossed into Estonian airspace without permission in September.
The armed men had been spotted in the Saatse Boot, a small protrusion of Russian territory surrounded by Estonia on three sides, last Friday.
Unidentified Russian troops spotted at Estonia’s border have raised concern in Tallinn while Moscow has dismissed it as routine. The incident comes after drone and jet violations of European airspace.
Russian troops with concealed faces and unmarked uniforms have appeared at Estonia’s border, echoing tactics used at Ukraine’s borders in 2014. Estonian officials called it a “clear danger,” while Moscow dismissed it as routine. The incident followed a recent string of drone and jet violations of European airspace that NATO has responded its new “Eastern Sentry” mission.
Experts warn Russia aims to keep NATO busy and distract the alliance from aiding Ukraine. However, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal insists support for Ukraine won’t waver, saying the best defense is helping Ukraine win faster.
