Russia has dismissed claims from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania that they permitted Ukrainian drones to fly through their airspace for attacks on Russian targets. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow will not provide evidence to the Baltic nations to support its allegations. RT reported that this statement came after the three countries jointly protested against Russian accusations last week.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin asserted that Moscow had confirmed data indicating Baltic states allowed air routes for Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting Russian civilian infrastructure. In response, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia labeled these allegations as "completely unfounded" and firmly denied granting any airspace access for such strikes.
Addressing the demarche on Monday, Peskov emphasized that Russia’s military intelligence and security agencies are fully aware of the origins and flight paths of these drones. He said, "This is well known to everyone, and we are not going to prove anything to anyone here," highlighting Moscow’s ongoing monitoring of threats near its borders and deeper within its territory.
Russia has repeatedly pointed out that Ukrainian drones have violated or crashed within Baltic airspace amid intensified assaults on northwestern Russian regions, including the Leningrad area and zones around St. Petersburg. Moscow argues that these drone routes either require the Baltic countries’ consent or indicate lapses in their air defense systems.
In June, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna acknowledged that his country was displeased with Ukrainian drone incursions but clarified that Tallinn had not instructed Kiev to halt such flights, viewing them as part of the broader conflict with Russia.
Why this matters
The ongoing tension over the use of Baltic airspace for Ukrainian drone operations highlights the complex security dynamics in Eastern Europe amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia’s accusations and the Baltic states’ denials underscore the risks of escalation and the delicate balance of regional airspace control. These developments could influence diplomatic relations and military postures among Russia, Ukraine, and NATO members in the Baltic region.
Russian officials have warned that if Baltic countries knowingly facilitate Ukrainian drone strikes, Moscow may consider them complicit and reserve the right to self-defense under international law, raising stakes in an already volatile neighborhood.
