Russia’s war with Ukraine is beginning to directly affect the Nordic countries. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are launching drones almost daily at Russian refineries in the Leningrad region – and they are increasingly appearing in the airspace of the Baltic states and Finland. Russian media claimed that these countries unofficially allow Ukraine to use their airspace for drone flights. There is no independent confirmation of this version. Moreover, the Latvian authorities have officially rejected such accusations. In Latvia, drone incidents have already led to political consequences: the resignation of the government. We list the most notable drone incidents in Northern Europe over the past two months.
Lithuania, March 23
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The drone fell near the village of Lavisos, about 30 kilometers from the border with Belarus. No one was injured as a result of the accident.
The next day, Prime Minister Inga Rozhnyny confirmed that the drone was Ukrainian. He added: “This is due to the operation that the Ukrainians carried out that night against Russia.” male she.
Latvia and Estonia, March 25
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On the night of March 25, in Estonia, a Ukrainian drone crashed into the chimney of the Ophir power plant. In Latvia, a drone crashed in the Kraslava region. In their official statements, the authorities stressed that the drones came from “Russia” and refrained from criticizing Ukraine.
He added: “Tonight, a dangerous battle took place, and the Ukrainians repelled the attacks on their country.” He said Latvian Prime Minister Ivica Selina.
“It must be emphasized that the goal was not to attack Estonia. According to the information available to us, we are talking about a counterattack by Ukraine on Russia, and the consequences of this attack have reached our borders.” male Prime Minister of Estonia Kristin Michel.
Finland, March 29
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Two drones crashed in southeastern Finland. The authorities confirmed that these drones were Ukrainian.
Ukraine bring Finland issued a formal apology, saying the drones could not have been directed “under any circumstances” towards Finland. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry suggested that they were deviated from the path due to Russian electronic warfare systems.
Finland, April 1
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Border guards discovered a drone that had fallen on the ice of Lake Bihajarvi near the border with Russia. It was reported that he was Ukrainian.
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Two Ukrainian drones flew over Latvian territory, and one of them collided with an empty oil tank in the city of Rezekne, near the border with Russia.
Although the drones were Ukrainian, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said Named Russian Chargé d’Affairs Dmitry Kasatkin explained that the devices were launched from Russian territory. The diplomat was told that Moscow, which is continuing the war with Ukraine, with its actions “creates the risk of security incidents throughout the region.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sepiga later claimed that Ukrainian drones flew into Latvia as a result of the work of Russian electronic warfare systems, which “deliberately diverted Ukrainian drones from their targets on Russian territory.”
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In Latvia, where parliamentary elections will be held in four months, a political crisis has begun due to a drone accident. The government was criticized for the fact that the drones were able to freely penetrate the country’s airspace (from Rezekne to the Russian border – almost 50 kilometers). Latvian Defense Minister Andris Produs submitted his resignation. He explained his actions by the desire “to protect the Latvian army from being drawn into a political campaign.”
Three days later, Latvian Prime Minister Ivica Selina resigned.
Finland, May 15
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Helsinki Airport suspended operations for several hours due to the drone threat. The fighters took off over the coast of the Gulf of Finland.
Initially, the authorities published information that at least one drone had violated the border. But later, the armed forces maleThat there were no airspace violations.