TALLINN - Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the first secretary of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn "persona non grata" on Wednesday and demanded the diplomat's departure from the country.
The ministry accused the Russian diplomat of engaging in undermining Estonia's constitutional order and legal system, sowing division in society, and violating the sanctions regime.
The ministry has officially informed the Russian charge d'affaires about the decision.
In response to Estonia's allegation and expulsion, Russia's Foreign Ministry said later on Wednesday that it has "almost grown accustomed to hostile actions from Estonia" and vowed to take retaliatory steps, according to reports by The Moscow Times.
READ MORE: President: Estonia is not going to close border with Russia
Estonia's relations with Russia have deteriorated since the Ukraine crisis broke out in 2022. The two countries downgraded their diplomatic relations and ordered their ambassadors to leave their respective embassies in 2023.
Polish man detained in Estonia
A Polish citizen has been detained by Estonian security services for allegedly planning to join the Russian army and fight in the war against Ukraine.
The 49-year-old Polish man was detained on Aug 5, with media being informed by the Viru County Prosecutor's Office and the Internal Security Service (KaPo) on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Russia, Estonia expel envoys, downgrade relations
The man reportedly attempted to cross the border between Estonia and Russia illegally, via the Narva River on an inflatable mattress. He was found with items bearing symbols supporting aggression.
An investigation established that he had arrived in Estonia from Serbia.
Gardi Anderson, chief prosecutor of the Viru County Prosecutor's Office, said that joining the armed forces of the Russian Federation constitutes an indirect threat to the security of both Estonia and the entire European Union. On Aug 6, the court granted the prosecution's request to place the detainee in custody for two months.
KaPo emphasized that participation in aggression against Ukraine is a crime, and that foreign citizens attempting to support Russia's military actions via Estonia will also be prosecuted.
