The Russian icebreaker Murmansk entered Estonia’s territorial waters without permission on February 28, with news of this becoming known on March 3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia summoned the temporary chargé d’affaires of Russia over the incident.
According to Estonian authorities, the vessel lingered in the country’s waters for four minutes, entering the Vaindloo Island area in the Gulf of Finland to free the tanker Olympic Friendship, which was stuck in the ice.
The Russian side did not inform either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Estonian Navy of its intentions, and did not respond to radio messages from Estonian maritime authorities.
The Estonian side emphasized that such entry violates established procedures for icebreakers in territorial waters: foreign vessels may transit through territorial waters provided that the MFA is notified via diplomatic channels at least 48 hours before entry. In light of the difficult ice conditions, Estonia is prepared to shorten this period to six hours.
Further developments
It is also noted that on February 4 the Estonian Navy detained on Naissaar Island a container ship Baltic Spirit under the flag of the Bahamas. The vessel was bound from Ecuador to Saint Petersburg, with a stop in Estonia for refueling.
The crew, consisting of 23 Russians, showed willingness to cooperate and did not resist during the stop, local authorities said.
Російський криголам порушив морський кордон Естонії