On Saturday, the Russian icebreaker Murmansk trespassed into Estonia's territorial waters in the Gulf of Finland, near Vaindloo Island. The incident was reported by the Estonian public broadcaster ERR. Estonia's Foreign Ministry responded by summoning the acting Russian diplomat for discussions, signaling the seriousness with which Estonia views the incursion into its waters.

The Murmansk icebreaker reportedly entered these waters without notifying the Estonian Foreign Ministry or the navy, and did not respond to radio calls from the Estonian naval authorities. The vessel was within Estonian borders for about four minutes and was reportedly in the area to assist the Olympic Friendship tanker, which had become trapped in the ice. This breach of international maritime norms raises concerns not only for Estonia's sovereignty but also for the security of shipping routes in the Baltic Sea.

Given the challenging ice conditions in the Gulf of Finland, Estonia has indicated it may reduce the notification time for foreign vessels to six hours until the icebreaking season concludes. Normally, foreign vessels are required to inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 48 hours prior to their arrival in Estonian waters, but the current situation demands a more responsive approach to ensure safety and security in maritime navigation. This incident illustrates the tense maritime dynamics in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and its Baltic neighbors.