Despite numerous warnings, hundreds of people cross the border with Russia every day. In Narva, at the border between Estonia and Russia, even though it is not officially recommended to visit Russia, people continue to travel there. What attracts them to the aggressor country, and who are these travelers?
Ignored Warnings
Colorful signs at the Narva border crossing warn, “Do not go to Russia” and “Do not support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.” However, for many, these are not reasons to stop. This crossing is one of the few official routes from the Schengen area to Russia, so between 1,300 and 1,800 people cross it daily. But who are these people continuing their journey?
Underground Business at the Border
One of the major challenges for Estonian border guards is smuggling. Every day, customs officers find European goods in luggage that are under sanctions, such as luxury wines, electronics, military equipment, or dual-use items like drones or night vision devices. Smuggling is organized, and its “couriers” often do not even realize they are transporting prohibited items. People with low incomes earn money by transporting goods across the border, unaware that they are exposing themselves to fines or even criminal prosecution.
Who Stands in Line
The queue at the Narva border crossing sometimes stretches for hundreds of meters, and some travelers even bring folding chairs with them. Many wait for hours to enter Russia. Some do not hide the fact that they are trying to “buy” a place in line – there are those who take hundreds of euros for the opportunity to pass through faster.
One of these travelers is a young woman who says she is going to visit her family living in Russia. For her, this is a trip to loved ones that is much better than video calls. There are countless cases where people cross the border for family ties.
Foreigners in Russia: Why Do Foreigners Travel There?
Incredibly, among those crossing the border are foreigners from Western Europe. Some, like an Italian from Bergamo, are traveling to St. Petersburg to reunite with their family. Others are heading to Russia out of curiosity or to visit friends. A Frenchman named Baptiste decided to take advantage of the opportunity and see St. Petersburg during his trip through the Baltic states. Despite hearing warnings from Western governments about the risks of traveling to Russia, he is not concerned. He is not afraid.
Putinists and their ideals
There is a separate group of people crossing the border – those who support Putin’s policies. For example, James, a 45-year-old Irishman living in Russia since 2010, is convinced that Russians are not to blame for the war, but rather Americans. He travels to the UK but lives in Russia and considers it his home.
There are other examples, like 60-year-old artist Inna from the UK, who is returning to St. Petersburg after purchasing a house in Pskov. She believes in “Russian values,” although she cannot exactly explain what these values are. For her, traveling to Russia is a way to a “better future.”
Despite all warnings from Western intelligence services, bans, and sanctions, people continue to cross the border with Russia. For some, it’s family ties, for others – business or ideological beliefs. But what unites them all is the desire, despite all difficulties, to enter a country that is currently at the epicenter of international conflicts.
