Russia Suspends Rail Crossings With Finland, Estonia and Latvia
Is this a sign of an impending provocation or is Moscow preparing a military draft?
Above: The Vartius border crossing with Russia in Kuhmo, Finland, on June 24, 2025. Image credit: Alessandro Rampazo/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Amid tensions with NATO and following a report that Russia is planning a provocation against Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia or Poland, these closures are likely connected to those plans.
Narrative B
These border closures suggest that Russia is preparing for a new wave of mobilization. They are trying to curtail the flow of people out of the country once mobilization is announced.