The restrictions cover the Slantsevsky and Kingiseppsky districts of the Leningrad Region, according to announcements posted on the websites of several district administrations and reported by Novaya Gazeta Europe.
The first ban applies to the Narva River: people are barred from the shoreline, and small vessels are prohibited from entering the water on the stretch from the Bolshaya Cheremukha River to the Kriusha River. A second restricts hunting and movement with firearms — within the border zone in Slantsevsky District and within a five-kilometer strip along the border in Kingiseppsky District.
A third ban prohibits the presence and movement of people and vehicles during hours of darkness outside populated areas. It covers not only the 100-meter strip at the border but the entire five-kilometer zone along it.
The FSB attributed the measures to the "prevention of offenses in the border and migration spheres," as well as the protection of aquatic biological resources. The border directorate cited paragraph 10, part 2, article 30 of the law "On the State Border of the Russian Federation," which permits the temporary restriction of the movement of people and vehicles and the closure of individual sections. The agency did not specify which particular operation is being conducted in the two districts.
After the announcements were published, media outlets described the situation as a curfew. Lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov told Novaya Gazeta Europe that calling it that is not entirely correct — rather, it concerns heightened security measures in the border area. Neither a state of emergency nor martial law has been declared in the Leningrad Region.
Andris Viltsin, a representative of the Estonian border service, told ETV that such measures are not standard practice, but cannot be called entirely exceptional either. According to him, Tallinn knew about the restrictions in advance, although Russia did not officially notify it.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said there is currently no threat to the country from Russia and that the threat assessment has not changed. Last week, Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Estonia is considering the possibility of fully closing the border with Russia in the event of a mobilization being declared.
On the same night, a man illegally crossed the temporary control line on the Narva River from the Russian side and entered Estonia. He was spotted by a surveillance service officer and then detained. The detainee turned out to be a Jordanian citizen; he was taken to the Narva detention center.
Separately, the FSB has tightened checks at the Shuya checkpoint in Karelia, 110 km from the border with Finland. The administration of the Suoyarvsky district said traffic control is being carried out in both directions, and drivers must stop at the demand of border guards and carry documents. The fine for violation is up to 7,000 rubles or arrest for up to 15 days. A witness told Astra that the checkpoint regime began to be tightened back in August: border guards checked the documents of men and visitors, photographed tourists' passports and established their places of residence.
For violating the border regime in the Leningrad Region, citizens face a fine of 1,500 to 5,000 rubles. A foreigner may additionally face expulsion from Russia.