Narva's Russian citizens afraid to cross border and vote in Ivangorod
Fewer Russians living in Estonia may vote in Russia's presidential election this weekend, as citizens say they are afraid to cross the border to cast a ballot. Many people will also find it hard to travel to Tallinn to vote.
Russian consulates in Narva and Tartu were shuttered after the full-scale invasion in 2022, and it is now only possible to vote at the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.
Moscow plans to open a polling station in Ivangorod, the Russian border city, for citizens living closer who want to vote. It is approximately 1 km from the border crossing, which must be crossed on foot.
Almost 35,000 Russian citizens live in Ida-Viru County, and if half of them visit Russia this weekend there will be considerable queues, Thursday's "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported. Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) will increase checks.
"Since people who are bringing illicit goods or substances across the border may take advantage of the fact that more people are crossing the border and that our attention is distracted, we will certainly carry out enhanced checks. For example, if we [usually] question one person out of 10, we will question all of them over the weekend," said the PPA's Mark Derbnev.
The Union of Russian Citizens of Narva told Thursday's "Aktuaalne kaamera" that Russian citizens want to participate in the elections, but many are afraid to vote.
Union leader Jelizaveta Pokk said Narva residents say they would rather drive 195 kilometers to Tallinn than cross the border in their hometown. "They are afraid that they will be deported from Estonia later because of their political beliefs," she added.
Galina, a Russian citizen, said she would like to vote, but after a recent operation, she cannot walk to Ivangorod.
"When voting took place here, I never missed an election. But now there are a lot of people at the border and I cannot stand for long," she said.
At the last presidential election in 2018, more than 28,000 Russians living in Estonia cast a ballot. News agency BNS reported 94 percent of the votes were in favor of Putin. In total, 83,000 people could have participated.
The border closed to vehicles in February as Russia said it would carry out construction work.
Estonia has warned citizens and residents not to visit Russia due to the changed security situation.
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Editor: Mari Peegel, Helen Wright
Source: Aktuaalne kaamera
