This special issue explores the multifaceted impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the Europe-Russia borderlands, from Norway to Lithuania. It investigates its transformation from a peaceful zone of cooperation to one of confrontation, analysing the implications for cross-border interactions, regional security, and normative frameworks. The contributors pay special attention to the level of border (and border-sensitive) communities and examine grassroots responses to the re-bordering process, as well as evolving geopolitical narratives within border communities. Through diverse methodological approaches, including ethnographic studies, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and geopolitical discourse analysis, the special issue suggests a comprehensive reevaluation of border studies in the context of heightened security concerns and shifting geopolitical realities. The findings highlight the need for a revised understanding of the EU-Russian border and borderlands, emphasizing their protective and exclusionary functions in the face of ongoing conflict and instability. This collection of studies offers critical insights into the new dynamics of border regions, contributing to broader discussions on European foreign and security policies.