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Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has warned that Russia’s “little green men” who try to cross the border with Estonia will be met with deadly force.

“Little Green Men” refers to Russian soldiers without insignia during Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, who wore green uniforms without insignia to conceal their official involvement, the Telegraph reports.

Commenting on recent border incidents with Russia - including one in October when Russians without insignia were seen at the border - Tsahkna told Polish media outlet o2.pl that Estonian troops would “shoot” them if they crossed the border.

“Let me say it bluntly: If the little green men ever cross our border, we will shoot them. These will be the consequences; there is no question about that. If Russia is not sure that we will really react, they can test us,” Tsahkna said, as reported by another Polish media outlet, Onet.

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Tsahkna also said that similar incidents were reported near Narva, a border settlement near Russia. “It wasn’t the first time we saw them. We have been observing them constantly, for example, we have many different reports from Narva, which is a border town,” he said.

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The Narva River marks a narrow strip of land where the incursion took place, extending all the way to the eastern coast of Estonian territory. Estonia and Russia have long failed to ratify a formal border treaty, despite years of negotiations.

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On December 17, Estonia’s border protection agency said three Russian border guards briefly entered Estonian territory near the Narva River and stayed there for about 20 minutes.

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In November, a Russian border guard ship flying the flag of the Wagner mercenary group was seen patrolling the Narva River.

In early 2025, Tallinn announced plans to establish a military base in Narva.