Russian Border Boat Flies Wagner Flag Near Estonia

A Russian border patrol boat flying the flag of the Wagner Group, a notorious Russian private military company, was spotted sailing on the Narva River along the border between Estonia and Russia's Leningrad Oblast. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the incident as indicative of potential fractures within the Russian state apparatus and raised concerns about the intentions of the Wagner Group near Estonia's border. The ministry humorously speculated whether Wagner is preparing for another march on Moscow or St. Petersburg and suggested the group may have taken over Russian border services. Estonia has formally requested clarification from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the unusual display of Wagner symbols by an official Russian vessel. The Wagner Group, formerly led by Yevgeny Prigozhin until his death in a plane crash in August 2023, has been involved in various conflicts and accused of war crimes, and its involvement near NATO borders has heightened regional security concerns. This incident follows other recent security measures and tensions at the Estonia-Russia border, including the closure of border crossing points and drone activity near military bases.