Camilla Jessen
Estonian authorities confirm a World War-era bomb was discovered near the Russian border.
A 250-kilogram (550-pound) aerial bomb was discovered on the morning of Nov. 2 near the village of Auvere in eastern Estonia, close to the Russian border, according to the Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
The object was found by a local resident during a morning walk in the forest and reported to authorities around 8:30 a.m.
Estonia’s Rescue Board confirmed that the object was a World War-era aerial bomb.
Bomb disposal experts were deployed to the site and immediately began preparations for a controlled detonation. Residents in the area were warned to stay clear of the scene.
The origin and exact type of the munition have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Regional tension
In September, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace, while 19 drones—believed to have originated from Belarus—entered Polish airspace during a Russian assault on Ukraine.
NATO has described Russia’s recent behavior as “increasingly irresponsible.”
Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Security Council Mike Walz have emphasized that the alliance is prepared to defend “every inch” of NATO territory, using all available military and nonmilitary tools.
Similar airspace incursions have also been reported in Lithuania, where drones believed to have come from Belarus flew near Vilnius in July.
