Estonia expels Russian national over ties with Russian secret services
The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) has deported Russian citizen Leonid Karabeshkin from the country and imposed a Schengen entry ban on him due to his ties with Russian secret services.
As reported by Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Estonian police reported that the goal of the deportation is to prevent and counter activities that threaten the security of Estonia and Europe.
@Politsei saatis KAPO ettepanekul Eestist välja Venemaa kodaniku Leonid Karabeskini ning kehtestas talle Schengeni sissesõidukeelu. Väljasaatmise eesmärk on ennetada ja tõkestada Eesti ning laiemalt Euroopa julgeolekut ohustavat tegevust. https://t.co/CQDTtZ7Jge
– Kaitsepolitseiamet (@kaitsepolitsei) November 2, 2026
KAPO spokesperson Marta Tuul told ERR that Karabeshkin had ties with Russian secret services and individuals acting in their interests.
"He regularly visited Russia and met with them there. Many of them are under European Union and Ukraine sanctions for carrying out hostile influence activities. In addition, he is linked to influence networks such as, for example, CIRP, RuBaltic and Regnum, as well as individuals associated with them," Tuul said.
Police added that the Russian national maintained contacts with Sergei Rekeda and Sergei Rudnov. The latter is under British and Ukrainian sanctions.
Karabeshkin also cooperated with CIRP – the Russian Centre for International and Regional Policy – in whose events individuals associated with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) participated.
Media reports show that Karabeshkin worked in Estonia at the private higher education institution Euroacademy, where he engaged in teaching and research activities.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, commenting on the deportation of the Russian citizen, emphasised that Estonia "will not turn a blind eye" to threats to its security or the security of Europe.
"Those with links to Russian intelligence services and hostile influence networks have no place exploiting our openness. One such individual has now been expelled from Estonia and barred from entering the Schengen area. Rightly so. We will not tolerate activities that undermine our security," Tsakhna said.
In October, Estonia joined Finland's call to suspend the issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens across the entire European Union.