Estonia Urges Ukraine to Control Drones After Airspace Incursions
By garrisonvance // 2026-05-13
Copy
 
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said Ukraine should keep its unmanned aerial vehicles away from Estonian territory, according to ERR, as cited by RT [1]. Pevkur stated that authorities "will start dealing with this very quickly now" and that "the easiest way for the Ukrainians to keep their drones away from our territory is to control their activities better" [1]. Over recent weeks, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland have reported cases of Ukrainian UAVs crashing in their territory, according to RT [1]. Moscow has accused NATO members of quietly permitting Ukraine to target Russian territory, particularly energy facilities in Leningrad Region [1]. The incursions mark a growing concern for airspace sovereignty along NATO's eastern flank.

Regional Concerns and Responses

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told Ukrainian President Zelensky that Helsinki deems Ukrainian aircraft entering its airspace "unacceptable," as reported earlier this week [1]. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Kiev has the right to attack inside Russia but expressed concern that Russia could take control of Ukrainian drones and send them toward Estonia, according to RT [1]. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds declined to criticize Ukraine, insisting it "has every right to defend itself," and blamed Moscow for the incursions, according to RT [2]. Spruds claimed breaches of Latvia's airspace will continue as long as the conflict remains unresolved [2]. In a separate development, six NATO members, including Estonia, are reportedly building an anti-drone wall along their borders with Russia, according to The National Pulse, as cited by NaturalNews.com [3]. The anti-drone barrier is intended to protect against UAVs from "unfriendly countries," Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said [3]. In previous incidents, Russian MiG-31 jets breached Estonian airspace on September 19, 2025, marking the third such violation in a month, according to NaturalNews.com [4]. These events highlight the multifaceted airspace security challenges facing the Baltic states.

Ukrainian and Russian Perspectives

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga wrote on X that Kiev is considering sending expert teams "to help directly strengthen the airspace" of the four countries, according to RT [1]. This offer came as Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian infrastructure have intensified, with a reported focus on energy facilities [5]. According to RT, Ukraine has launched multiple strikes against Baltic ports and oil terminals in an attempt to disrupt Russian petroleum exports [5]. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said in April that either Western air defenses are ineffective against Ukrainian UAVs or the Baltic states and Finland "deliberately provide their airspace, thereby becoming open accomplices in aggression against Russia," as reported by RT [6]. Shoigu warned that Moscow has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter [6]. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia's patience is not unlimited and could eventually "run out," accusing the West of pushing Ukraine into a wider conflict [7]. Moscow has consistently described Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory as "terrorist attacks" targeting infrastructure and residential areas [5].

Implications for NATO and the Conflict

NATO members are reported to be divided over the Ukrainian drone incidents, with some expressing concern and others supporting Ukraine's right to self-defense, according to RT [2]. The incidents have raised questions about airspace sovereignty and potential escalation between Russia and NATO states. No official NATO response has been issued, and the situation remains under discussion among member nations, officials said [2]. The lack of a unified stance reflects the alliance's broader challenge in balancing support for Ukraine with the risks of direct confrontation with Russia. The current tensions echo historical warnings about NATO expansion. According to the book "Trends-Journal-2023-07-29," diplomat George Kennan described NATO expansion as the "greatest mistake of the entire post-Cold War period" and called it a "colossal blunder" [8]. The early 1980s saw a marked heating up of the Cold War, as described in the book "War since 1945" by Jeremy Black, with the establishment of the Rapid Deployment Task Force that became Central Command [9]. These historical perspectives underscore the fragile state of security in the Baltic region as drone incidents test alliance cohesion. NATO has previously authorized the use of force against Russian aircraft violating its airspace, according to NaturalNews.com [10]. However, the current incidents involve Ukrainian drones, creating a diplomatic dilemma for the alliance.

Conclusion

The drone incursions have placed Estonia and its Baltic neighbors in a difficult position, balancing support for Ukraine with the need to maintain airspace sovereignty and avoid direct confrontation with Russia. As Ukraine continues its drone campaign against Russian infrastructure, the risk of further incursions into NATO territory remains. Kiev is considering sending expert teams to help strengthen regional airspace, while Moscow has warned of potential retaliation under the UN Charter. The situation remains fluid, with NATO members reportedly divided on how to respond.

References

  1. Another NATO state urges Ukraine to control its drones - RT. May 10, 2026.
  2. NATO members divided over Ukrainian drone incidents - RT. May 7, 2026.
  3. 6 NATO members attempting to build an ANTI DRONE WALL along border with Russia - NaturalNews.com. NaturalNews.com. June 4, 2024.
  4. Escalating tensions: Russian MiG-31 jets breach Estonian airspace, prompting NATO scramble and global concerns - NaturalNews.com. Belle Carter. September 23, 2025.
  5. Inside Ukraine’s expanding drone war against Russian infrastructure - RT. April 10, 2026.
  6. Russian security chief issues warning to four NATO states - RT. April 16, 2026.
  7. Lavrov comments on Russia’s red lines and patience - RT. April 18, 2026.
  8. Trends-Journal-2023-07-29.
  9. War since 1945 by Jeremy Black.
  10. NATO vows to shoot down Russian aircraft as airspace violations escalate tensions - NaturalNews.com. NaturalNews.com. September 23, 2025.

Explainer Infographic:

Copy