Ukrainian drones have strayed into Baltic countries' airspace in recent weeks, sowing confusion and raising tensions with Russia at a time when U.S. commitment to NATO's collective security is in question.
The incursions occur as Ukraine targets Russian Baltic ports handling nearly 40% of national oil and gas exports. Kyiv and Baltic states confirm the drones are Ukrainian but blame Russia for jamming their signals.
Russia accuses Baltic states of colluding with Ukraine, which they deny. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "They're desperately using any opportunity to divide the Western world."
A NATO jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone in Estonia on May 19, the first such incident since 2004. On May 20, Lithuanian lawmakers took shelter as a drone approached Vilnius. Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas noted: "The threat level is growing."
A Ukrainian source said a "serious" investigation is underway to determine how Russia diverts drones. Ukraine's foreign ministry accused Russia of deliberately directing drones toward the Baltics.
Russia's UN ambassador claimed Ukraine plans to launch drones from Latvia, which Latvia dismissed as "pure fiction." Experts warn of accidental escalation risks.
