Drones Hit Estonia & Latvia: Russia & Ukraine Link Investigated
Drones originating from Russian airspace impacted Latvia and Estonia on Wednesday, prompting investigations by authorities in both countries.
In Estonia, one drone “struck the chimney of the Auvere power plant” in the northeastern region, according to a statement released by the country’s Internal Security Service (ISS). The Auvere facility, operated by Enefit Power, is situated near the town of Narva, bordering Russia. ISS Director General Margo Palloson expressed concern over the incident, characterizing it as a consequence of “Russia’s large-scale war of aggression” and warning of potential future occurrences. Estonian prosecutors have initiated a legal process to investigate the event.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina indicated on X (formerly Twitter) that the drone which entered Latvian airspace and subsequently crashed appeared to be Ukrainian. This followed reports that Ukraine had conducted overnight drone strikes targeting Russia’s Ust-Luga port in the Leningrad region.
Latvia’s air force confirmed the detection of an unmanned aerial vehicle crossing into Latvian territory from Russia. Early warning systems registered a sound resembling an explosion in the Kraslava region, located in southeastern Latvia along the border with Belarus, a key ally of Moscow. Latvian authorities reported no injuries or damage resulting from the incident, and wreckage from the drone has been recovered.
The incidents occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions and reported Russian probing of NATO airspace. According to a report from December 2025, a series of Russian incursions into the airspace of NATO members – including Estonia, Romania, and Poland – raised concerns among European capitals about potential attempts to test the alliance’s resolve. The European Council on Foreign Relations noted that these incursions appeared as deliberate attempts to assess NATO’s response following nearly four years of conflict in Ukraine.
The Baltic states have been under the shadow of potential Russian aggression since regaining independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The region experienced Soviet occupation from 1940 until 1991, a period marked by deportations and political repression, as documented by historical records. Estonia shares a direct border with Russia, a factor that contributes to its perceived vulnerability.
As of Wednesday evening, no official statement had been released by Russian authorities regarding the drone incidents. Investigations are ongoing in both Estonia and Latvia to determine the precise origins and intent behind the unmanned aerial vehicles’ flights.