“With this note, we remind the Russian Federation that clear and unequivocal rules apply in Estonian territorial waters, including during the icebreaking season,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “Compliance with these rules is mandatory for all in order to prevent further breaches of procedure.”
On 28 February, the Russian Federation icebreaker Murmansk entered Estonian territorial waters in the area of Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland without permission, in order to free the tanker Olympic Friendship, which had become stuck in ice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Estonian Navy were not notified of the Murmansk’s entry into Estonian territorial waters, and the vessel did not respond to radio calls from the Estonian Navy. The icebreaker remained within Estonian waters for four minutes.
A foreign vessel may exercise the right of innocent passage through territorial waters provided that the foreign state notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via diplomatic channels at least 48 hours prior to entry. In light of difficult ice conditions and the need to assist vessels, the Republic of Estonia is prepared to shorten the advance notification requirement from 48 hours to 6 hours until the end of the icebreaking season.
