Russia to temporarily close railway border points with Finland, Latvia, Estonia

Russia is set to temporarily suspend operations at railway border checkpoints connecting with Finland, Latvia, and Estonia, effective July 1, 2026. This measure, announced via an official government order signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, will halt the movement of people, vehicles, goods, and cargo across these specific border sections.

The official legal portal published the order, detailing the temporary closure. While the exact reasons for this decision were not elaborated upon in the provided text, such border restrictions often relate to security concerns, logistical adjustments, or broader geopolitical considerations.

The closure specifically targets railway crossings, indicating a focused disruption on this mode of transport between Russia and its northwestern neighbors. The duration of the suspension is described as temporary, though further details on its potential length or conditions for reopening are not specified in the announcement.

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To temporarily suspend from July 1, 2026, the movement of people, vehicles, goods, and cargo through the railway border crossing points of the state border of the Russian Federation on certain sections of the state border of the Russian Federation in accordance with the list provided in the appendix to this order.