Train operator cuts decades-old Estonia-Russia links amid Western sanctions, sagging demand

Train service between the capitals of Russia and Estonia has been suspended due to declining demand, reportedly for the first time in six decades.

The Estonian railway company GoRail said European Union sanctions against Russia have led to a sharp decrease in the number of Russians visiting Estonia, making the Moscow-Tallinn route unprofitable. GoRail spokeswoman Kersti Gorskov said the last overnight train from Moscow arrived at Tallinn's main train station on Tuesday.

Go Rail, which had operated the Tallinn-Moscow route continuously since 1998, also dropped service to St. Petersburg earlier this month.

Estonian public broadcaster ERR said it's the first time in 65 years that Estonia has no passenger rail connections with Russia.

Estonia, a former Soviet republic, regained independence in 1991. It joined the EU and NATO in 2004.