Estonian authorities have banned seven representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church from entering the country "for security reasons"

The Estonian authorities have imposed a ban on entry into the country and the Schengen area for seven citizens related to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). This decision is due to national security considerations and accusations of supporting the foreign policy of the Russian Federation.

According to RG.RU, the list of persons whose activities were recognized as threatening the security of Estonia included Mikhail Sorokaty, Ekaterina Chaynikova, Elvira Koroleva, Alexei Shlyakhtin, Konstantin Korolev and priest Roman Kolesnikov. For this group of individuals, the ban came into force at the beginning of 2025. According to the data clarified by the media, Dmitry Burov was included in a similar list in 2026.

According to media reports, priest Roman Kolesnikov was denied entry in January this year for official security reasons. The Estonian security police connects such measures with counteraction to persons supporting Russia’s political course in the international arena.

Against the background of these events, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia issued a statement at the end of May 2025, in which he noted that the Russian Orthodox Church is being persecuted in the Baltic States and Moldova. In his opinion, behind these actions are anti-Russian forces who initiated pressure on the clergy and believers.

Recall, earlier we reported that against the background of the protracted confrontation around the amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC) issued an official statement calling for dialog instead of confrontation. The Riigikogu has once again passed a controversial bill that President Alar Karis has already returned twice for revision due to inconsistency with the Constitution. The Church expresses deep concern that the legislative process, which directly affects its activities, is taking place without its participation.