Russia has closed railway crossings on the border with the EU: what restrictions are in effect as of July 1
1 July 05:50
Effective July 1, 2026, Russia has temporarily suspended traffic through seven railway border crossings on its borders with Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the corresponding order on June 30, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Russian media reports.
The movement of people, vehicles, goods, and cargo through these specific crossings is prohibited.
However, this does not mean a complete closure of all Russian borders with European Union countries. The decision applies specifically to certain railway border crossings. Road crossings are not mentioned in the document.
The reasons for imposing the restrictions and the date of a possible resumption of traffic have not been specified.
Which border crossings is Russia closing as of July 1?
According to the government decree, traffic will be suspended at seven railway crossings.
On the Russian-Finnish border, the following are being closed:
- Vyborg in the Leningrad Region;
- Värtsilä in the Republic of Karelia;
- Lyttä in the Republic of Karelia;
- St. Petersburg-Finlyandsky in St. Petersburg;
- Svetogorsk in the Leningrad Region.
On the border with Estonia, the restrictions apply to the following crossing point:
- Pechory-Pskov in the Pskov Oblast.
On the border with Latvia, the following crossing point is closed:
- Pytalovo in the Pskov Region.
A complete list of border crossing points is provided by Interfax and the Estonian publication Delovye Vedomosti.
What exactly is prohibited from being transported
The Russian government’s decree states that travel through the specified border crossings is suspended for:
- individuals;
- vehicles;
- goods;
- commercial cargo;
- other property transported by rail.
Thus, the decision may affect both passenger service and international freight logistics.
However, a significant portion of these routes have hardly been used for regular international transport for quite some time.
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Has Russia explained the reasons for the closure?
No official reason is given in the text of the decree.
The Russian government merely instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notify the following countries of the decision:
- Finland;
- Estonia;
- Latvia.
It is also unclear whether the closure is related to security, sanctions, a reduction in traffic volumes, or the condition of border infrastructure.
Russia’s border with Finland had already been closed
Russia’s decision does not significantly change the situation regarding passenger traffic across the Finnish-Russian land border.
Finland closed all land border crossing points with Russia back in December 2023. The restrictions were extended repeatedly, and in June 2026, Helsinki once again left them in effect until further notice.
The Finnish government cites the risk of a resurgence of instrumentalized migration—the organized movement of people toward the border for the purpose of exerting political pressure—as the reason for this.
Up-to-date information is available on the websites of the Finnish government and the Finnish Ministry of the Interior.
What’s Happening on the Russian-Estonian Border
Estonia is also gradually tightening controls at its border with Russia.
As of June 15, 2026, Tallinn has reduced the operating hours of its border crossings. Specifically, the Narva crossing is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Koidula and Luhamaa crossings are also operating on a reduced schedule.
Estonian authorities have attributed the restrictions to repeated border violations and the need to strengthen security.
Estonian broadcaster ERR provides more details on the border crossings’ operating hours.
The Russian decree dated June 30 applies only to the Pechory-Pskovskoye railway crossing.
Which border crossing is being closed on the border with Latvia
On the Russian-Latvian section, the Pytalovo railway crossing in the Pskov region is being closed.
This route was used primarily for freight rail traffic.
The suspension of its operations may complicate the transport of goods between Russia and the Baltic states, though the actual impact will depend on the actual volume of cargo that passed through this crossing prior to July 1.
Road crossings between Russia and Latvia are not being closed under this order.
Did passenger trains run through these crossings?
Regular passenger rail service between Russia and Finland, Estonia, and Latvia was largely suspended after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Allegro high-speed trains between St. Petersburg and Helsinki stopped running back in March 2022.
Direct passenger rail service between Russia and the Baltic states has also been significantly reduced or suspended.
Therefore, the new decision is likely to have the greatest impact on freight operations and the formal status of border crossings.
Why EU Countries Are Tightening Their Borders with Russia
Since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia have repeatedly tightened border controls.
Among the reasons they cite are:
- military and intelligence threats;
- attempts to exploit migration;
- violations of air and land borders;
- smuggling;
- the need to monitor compliance with sanctions;
- the risk of sabotage;
- screening of citizens and cargo entering from Russia.
The Baltic countries are also expanding their defense infrastructure near their eastern border.
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