Russia bans heavy vehicles from border bridge with Estonia

(TALLINN) - Russia has barred heavy goods vehicles from crossing into European Union member Estonia via a border bridge, officials in the Baltic state said Wednesday.

"Russian border guards have stopped vehicles heavier than 13 tonnes from crossing the Narva bridge," Estonian border guard spokeswoman Riin Kiik told AFP.

"The ban took effect last night, and the first trucks have already been diverted," she said.

Heavy vehicles wishing to enter Estonia from Russia must now make a detour of around 400 kilometers (240 miles), and use a land crossing in southern Estonia.

The ban on heavy goods vehicles using the bridge is the latest move, which could have a negative impact on trade with Estonia, taken by the Russians since a row blew up between the neighbouring states over the removal by the Estonian authorities of a Soviet statue from the centre of Tallinn.

While the Russian Roads Administration has said the bridge is in a bad state of repair and dangerous, the Estonians have said the closure is unnecessary and illegal, and equated it and other measures taken in recent weeks by Russia to "hidden sanctions" over the removal of the Bronze Soldier statue.

"The bridge belongs to Estonia, and a recent study shows it can be used, although repairs will be needed in the future," Juhan Parts, Estonian Minister for Economic Affairs, said last week.

"A unilateral decision like this one is just one example of how the Russians are applying hidden sanctions against Estonia," he added.

The Estonian authorities said Tuesday they had not been officially notified of the restrictions to bridge traffic imposed by the Russians.

The bridge remains open to all vehicles wishing to cross into Russia from Estonia, Kiik said.

"Estonia is allowing all traffic to cross the bridge as the Estonian authorities see no reason to block traffic," said Kiik.