Recent intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russian ports have resulted in drones landing in Baltic and Nordic countries, prompting Estonia to advise Ukraine on flight paths.
Ukrainian Attacks and Drone Incidents
Over the past two weeks, intensified Ukrainian aerial attacks targeting Russian port and energy infrastructure in the Leningrad region – specifically oil terminals in Primorsk and Ust-Luga – have led to drones straying off course.
These drones have been discovered in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland. One drone impacted a chimney of a power plant near Narva, Estonia, close to the Russian border.
Estonian Recommendations to Ukraine
Estonia has advised Ukraine to adjust its attack corridors to prevent drones from entering Estonian airspace, acknowledging complete prevention is unlikely.
Colonel Kiviselg stated that Russian air defense activity contributes to drones ending up over Estonia.
Russian Accusations and Ukrainian Response
Russia has accused Baltic states of enabling Ukraine to use their airspace for attacks. Colonel Kiviselg denied these accusations.
Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia is deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones towards Baltic countries.
GPS Interference and Drone Diversion
Experts believe Ukrainian drones were diverted into Baltic airspace due to GPS signal interference by the Russian military.
Scale of Ukrainian Drone Operations
Finnish authorities reported that Ukraine used approximately 2,500 drones within a week to attack Russian targets in the eastern Gulf of Finland.
These attacks put Russian air defenses on high alert and caused temporary or complete halts in operations at oil terminals.
Russian Electronic Warfare Capabilities
Finnish intelligence indicates Russia possesses electronic warfare systems and bases in the Gulf of Finland region, including near St. Petersburg and in the Kaliningrad Oblast, and utilizes its own Glonass satellite navigation system.
