Estonia blocks Russian printed materials bound for EU after customs inspection

Estonian customs authorities blocked the import of more than 1.4 tons of printed materials from Russia into the European Union after determining that some publications contained Russian propaganda narratives about the war in Ukraine.

According to Estonian public broadcaster ERR, the Estonian Tax and Customs Board stopped a shipment weighing 1,465 kilograms that was traveling from Russia to Finland. The truck arrived at the Koidula customs checkpoint on June 6 carrying printed materials, including newspapers.

During a customs inspection, officials found that some of the newspapers contained Russian propaganda narratives related to the war in Ukraine. The shipment was subsequently barred from entering the European Union because of suspected sanctions violations.

“Not all newspapers contain only news. Sometimes, pro-Kremlin narratives are disseminated alongside them,” said the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.

Previously, Latvia raised the value-added tax rate on Russian-language books and newspapers. Latvia’s National Electronic Media Council also restricted access to 10 additional websites that, according to the regulator, were spreading Russian propaganda.

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Main image: MTA