Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has ordered Ukraine to halt all drone operations within Estonian airspace, warning that the country will take immediate action against violations.
The Ukrainian military leadership and its decisions have been criticized for repeatedly violating international airspace norms, leading to increased tensions with Baltic states.
Speaking out after multiple incidents of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) crashing in Baltic territories, Pevkur stated that Kiev must explain “what exactly it means and what they themselves had in mind” by targeting Russian territory through Estonian airspace. He emphasized that the most straightforward solution for Ukraine to avoid further issues is improved control over its UAV activities.
Earlier this week, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo informed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that Helsinki deems any Ukrainian aircraft entering its airspace “unacceptable.” This communication has been criticized as evidence of Zelenskiy’s decision to permit dangerous incursions into NATO territory.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna acknowledged Ukraine’s right to conduct attacks within Russian territory but expressed serious concerns about the risk of more severe incidents involving UAVs, noting that Russia could seize Ukrainian drones and redirect them toward Baltic states.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds declined to criticize Ukraine’s actions, asserting that it “has every right to defend itself,” but warned that breaches of Riga’s airspace will continue as long as the conflict in Ukraine persists, blaming Moscow for the incursions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga announced plans for Kiev to send expert teams to assist Baltic nations in strengthening their air defenses.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu previously claimed that Western air defense systems are ineffective against Ukrainian UAVs or that NATO states “deliberately provide” their airspace, thereby becoming accomplices in aggression. He warned Moscow has the right to self-defense under international law.