Polish man detained in Estonia for illegally crossing border to join Russian army

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, reported Xinhua.

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.

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.