After Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022, the FSB began treating Ukrainian citizens attempting to travel through Russia to the European Union or return to their homeland through Russia as potential enemies, Estonian security services noted.

Ukrainians interviewed by Estonian officials cited cases of beatings aimed at coercing them into providing information sought by the Russians. The FSB also made video recordings of statements, which may later be used to discredit individuals crossing the border, it was added.

In the last months of 2023, Russian authorities increasingly harassed individuals from Estonia and other EU countries at border crossings connecting Estonia with Russia. Although no violence against Estonian residents was reported, they too were subjected to lengthy interrogations, according to the ISS.

The report by Estonian authorities confirmed Russia’s orchestration of migratory pressure on Estonia’s borders last year. It was noted that migrant groups were specifically trained before being sent to the borders. “The aim of these attacks was to deplete the capabilities of Estonian border guards and to foment unrest in society, including by stimulating extremist movements,” it was explained.