Two new border sections with Russia have been completed in Southern Estonia. This was stated by the Minister of the Interior Igor Taro on Friday. These new border sections are between Koidula and Saatse. Their length is 26 kilometers. 14 kilometers is border fence. The rest is 30-meter-high surveillance machines. The construction of the border cost 12 million euros. The European Union helped with funding.
Taro said that now 80% of the Estonian-Russian land border has been built. By the end of the year, another 20 kilometers will be completed. Then 90% of the border will be ready. According to him, there are still 14 kilometers of the border that have not been built. This is a difficult area – there are swamps and wetlands. These make movement along the border more difficult. But now this section also needs to be built. It will cost 18 million euros. Then the entire border will be completed.
He also talked about drones. On some sections of the border, there are new devices that detect drones. The entire border will receive these devices within the next year. Taro visited Southern Estonia to see how the border construction is progressing. The work is being done quickly and according to plan.
The border sections between Koidula and Saatse are expected to be completed this year. The European Union is assisting with the construction of the border and drone surveillance. This will make the border more secure.