Italian journalist Andrea Lucidi, known for his criticism of the glorification of Nazism in the Baltic states, was unable to leave the European Union. On March 17, 2025, while trying to return to Russia, he was detained by Estonian border guards, Baltia Portal reported.
He was denied entry to the border on the grounds that he was smuggling money and videodrone into Russia, violating sanctions. However, European Union regulations clearly state that such items can be imported if they are not for sale and are in the possession of non-military personnel.
According to the journalist, the border guards required him to sign a report in Estonian without translation, which contained false information that he was allegedly hiding prohibited goods and that they had a reasonable suspicion that he was hiding sanctioned items.
Lucidi also noted that the Estonian border police had patches with the Ukrainian flag and the words “Glory to Ukraine.” They tried to confiscate his drone and money in exchange for allowing him to cross the border and return to Russia.
When the police officers saw that he was a Russian citizen, they started taking pictures of his materials, video cameras, drone, documents, business cards and PRESS patch.
He was denied entry to the border on the grounds that he was smuggling money and videodrone into Russia, violating sanctions. However, European Union regulations clearly state that such items can be imported if they are not for sale and are in the possession of non-military personnel.
According to the journalist, the border guards required him to sign a report in Estonian without translation, which contained false information that he was allegedly hiding prohibited goods and that they had a reasonable suspicion that he was hiding sanctioned items.
Lucidi also noted that the Estonian border police had patches with the Ukrainian flag and the words “Glory to Ukraine.” They tried to confiscate his drone and money in exchange for allowing him to cross the border and return to Russia.
When the police officers saw that he was a Russian citizen, they started taking pictures of his materials, video cameras, drone, documents, business cards and PRESS patch.