Estonian border authorities apprehend illegal migrants for 4th consecutive day
Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has intensified checks at ports and transport hubs, intercepting another group of illegal border crossers on the fourth straight day, believed to have arrived via Latvia from the Belarus border.
Fourth Wave of Apprehensions
Estonian authorities detained another group of illegal migrants at Tallinn's Old City Harbor A Terminal on Saturday morning as they attempted to travel to Finland. This marks the fourth day in a row that migrants have been caught in Estonia.
Detection and Checks
Tauri Koppel, field commander at the PPA's Tallinn border crossing point, explained that migrants often appear uncertain and unfamiliar with port surroundings, quickly attracting patrol attention. Spot checks are also conducted on vehicles, particularly vans or cars with tinted windows where the interior is not visible.
Regional Context
Many migrants are of African origin and have entered Estonia via Latvia, which borders Belarus. Belarus has been directing migrants to its western borders for years, a tactic authorities call hybrid warfare. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that the technical border surveillance infrastructure is still incomplete and additional measures are planned.
Estonia has already sent two units south to assist Latvia, with two more to be deployed at the proposal of the PPA's director general. Lithuanian and Finnish personnel are also contributing at the Latvian border.
Minister's Assessment
Interior Minister Igor Taro (Eesti 200) visited the Latvian border, noting that migrants sent by the Belarusian regime act brazenly, using long ladders to climb fences. He stressed that letting them in is not viable, as it would create a problem for the entire society.
Over recent days, migrants have been apprehended at various locations in Tallinn, including the harbor and the Nõmme suburb. They lacked valid documents and were believed to be heading to Finland and then Western Europe. The majority have applied for international protection and are held in a detention center while their claims are processed.
Estonian border officials report that just under 150 people were caught as illegal migrants in the first half of 2026.
