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Estonia bars entry to 261 Russian citizens who fought in Ukraine war

Estonia's ban targets 261 Russian combatants for security risks, with plans to expand a Schengen-wide blacklist to block visas and residence permits for former fighters.

  • Last week, Estonia's Ministry of the Interior imposed entry bans on 261 Russian combatants who took part in the war of aggression against Ukraine, marking a targeted measure.
  • Nordic and Baltic interior ministers earlier proposed a Schengen visa ban for Russian armed forces members in Tallinn, and officials said Estonia's decision followed repeated EU-format discussions and 'did not come overnight.'
  • Security officials highlighted that Interior Minister Igor Taro warned `There is no doubt that these are individuals with a hostile attitude toward Europe...` due to their combat experience, military training, and potential criminal backgrounds.
  • Joosep Kaasik, Undersecretary for Internal Security, said the bans are only the first and called for a unified Schengen-wide blacklist and visa bans, while Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged other countries to keep the door closed.
  • Up to 1.5 million Russian participants took part in Russia's armed aggression, with nearly half, or 640,000, still on the front line, and over 333,000 serious violent crimes linked to mass return from the frontline, highlighting broader security challenges in Europe.
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The Estonian Ministry of the Interior last week banned 261 Russian citizens who fought against Ukraine from entering Estonia, the ERR news portal reported on Monday.

·Vilnius, Lithuania
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Last week, the Ministry of the Interior imposed a ban on entry into Estonia for 261 Russian combatants who have participated in the aggression against Ukraine.

·Estonia
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Estonia has banned 261 Russian veterans who fought in Ukraine from entering the country. The ban came into effect last week and was announced on social media. The Estonian Interior Ministry estimates that nearly 1.5 million Russians took part in the invasion of Ukraine, with about half of them fighting on the front lines. Igor Taro, Estonia's Interior Minister, said the threat was "not theoretical" and that many of these Russians had fought in t…

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Eesti Rahvusringhääling broke the news in Estonia on Monday, January 12, 2026.
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