Estland, Narva 2026

On the Border with Russia

A series of warnings that Russia could test NATO has heightened anxiety across Europe. Yet in Narva, Estonia, the border remains calm. Only the Narva River separates the city from Ivangorod in Russia.
Tarmo Hütt is responsible for operations at the border crossing. He says cooperation with his Russian counterparts has decreased since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Estonian border police continue to monitor the situation as hundreds of people cross here every day.
Among them are Galina Brukhal and her son Alex, 7. They have come from the Russian side and are on their way to Spain, where Alex’s father lives.