Russia Threatens Baltic States Over Drone Flights

Russia has threatened the Baltic states over Ukrainian drone flights as its oil terminals in the region came under an unprecedented wave of attacks in recent weeks. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen arrives ahead of the summit of the Baltic Sea NATO countries at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia has threatened to retaliate against the Baltic states it accuses of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace for drone attacks. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned on Thursday that countries permitting Ukrainian drones to transit their territory were exposing themselves to serious risks, according to The Independent . Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “If third countries have provided or are providing their territory for enemy drones to fly over, they must fully understand – and we are confident they do, because it has been explained to them – the risks they are exposing themselves to,” she said on Thursday. Estonia, where a Ukrainian drone recently hit the chimney of a power plant after being diverted by Russian air defenses, has reportedly urged Kyiv to adjust its flight path to avoid Estonian airspace during Baltic strikes. Zakharova’s comments followed waves of Ukrainian drone strikes on the Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga , key ports for Russian oil exports that together handle more than 40% of Russia’s seaborne crude export capacity. The ongoing strikes reportedly cost Moscow $1 billion in oil revenue in just one week. NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have also reported multiple Russian airspace violations, including a 2023 violation over Latvia and a September 2025 incident in which three MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace, prompting the country to convene a rare UN Security Council meeting . Other Topics of Interest Russian Sources: Ukraine is Fielding New AI-Capable Drones That Can’t Be Detected or Jammed Official Kyiv says its drones work well and new ones are being tested. So far, only the Russian side confirms a next-generation Ukrainian drone is in action. The Baltic states have also boosted defense along the Russian border, notably with the 2024 launch of the Baltic defense line . Ukraine has continued to press for a pause in hostilities , including proposals for limited ceasefire measures tied to Easter and restrictions on attacks against energy infrastructure. Russian authorities rejected the proposals and launched further strikes on Ukrainian targets, including power facilities. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.