Estonia has warned against using Google Maps on the Narva River
The Estonian Border Guard recommends not relying on Google Maps when traveling on the Narva River. According to the agency, the navigation service may incorrectly determine the route and potentially direct boats into Russian territorial waters, which could pose a risk of border violations.
Instead, Estonian border guards advise using GPS devices or the Nutimeri app.
This season, maintaining the control line has been particularly difficult because there are no navigation buoys on the Narva River. No agreement could be reached with Russia regarding the buoys, so extreme caution is required when operating a boat. The first unintentional border crossings have already occurred.
"Over the past few months, we have had at least four illegal border crossings. In some cases, people received warnings; in others, fines," said Kukk.
According to her, in some cases, the fine amounted to 600 euros. The Border Guard assumes that, by entering the border waterway, the boat operator assumes responsibility for knowing the laws and regulations.
In any case, it is better to be caught by your own border guards than by those of a neighboring country, the Estonian Border Guard added.
"There are different situations. In some cases, a person was returned to Estonia within a few hours; in others, it took days," Kukk noted.
To avoid accidentally crossing the border, boaters must have either a GPS device or the Nutimeri mapping app, which accurately show the boat’s position relative to the control line. Standard mapping apps on the Narva River can be misleading.
"Some of the incidents of crossing the temporary control line that occurred here this year were caused by people using Google Maps. The temporary control line marked in this mapping app is incorrect," said Kukk.
Border guards urge people to stay as close as possible to the Estonian shore, ask for help from border guards patrolling the Narva River in boats, call the Narva Border Guard Station, and be sure to review the instructions and advice on the piiriveekogu.ee website in advance.
"If you don’t want trouble, choose a different body of water, but of course, we can’t stop people. For our part, we’re doing everything we can to reduce such violations," added Kukk.
Estoniahas stated that it is better prepared for Russian aggression than NATO.
A Romanian fighter jet participating in a NATO air patrol mission shot down a stray attack drone over Estonian territory.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, commenting on the incident involving the downing of the drone over the country’s territory, stated that this is a consequence of Russia’s war and provocations. He also emphasized that Ukraine has every right to strike Russian military targets.
The responsibility for Ukrainian drones entering the airspace of the Baltic states lies entirely with the Russian Federation, which deliberately directs them toward Alliance territory using electronic warfare capabilities. This was stated by Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna before the start of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, reports Censor.NET, citing “European Truth.”
