European officials warn Russian veterans could play a role in Moscow’s shadow war
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Estonian border police officers pass through a gate on the Estonian-Russian border in Vinski, Estonia, on Oct. 1, 2025. (Carl Court / Getty Images)
EuropemustbanentrytoallRussianveteransofthewaragainstUkraineorfaceasurgeincrimeratesandhybridattacks,Estonianofficialshavewarned.
EstonianForeignMinisterMargusTsahknawarnedthatbattle-hardened“ex-prisonersandrapists”couldfloodEuropeafterthewarandcarryoutnefariousactivitiesonbehalfofRussianintelligence.
Toboostcommonsecurity,TallinnproposedablanketSchengenentrybanforRussianveteransduringameetingofEuropeanforeignministersonJan.29,whilealsoinvitingtheU.K.tojointheinitiative.
Sweden,theNetherlands,Finland,Denmark,andtheotherBalticcountriesexpressedopennesstotheidea,aEuropeanofficialfamiliarwiththemattertoldtheKyivIndependent.
RadoslawSikorski,Poland’schiefdiplomat,publiclysignaledsupport.“Manymemberstates”supporttheplan,EUforeignpolicychiefKajaKallassaid,addingth
