Baltic states issue statement after incidents involving Ukrainian drones

Khrystyna Bondarieva , KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - 28 March, 18:08

Photo: Latvia's Ministry of Defence

Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have stated that incidents involving Ukrainian drones crashing on their territory highlight the importance of strengthening air defence on NATO's eastern flank. The countries also expressed support for Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression.

Source: a joint statement by the defence ministers of the three states, published by Latvia's Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministers said their countries are taking decisive steps and prioritising the development of their air defence systems.

"However, recent incidents fuelled by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine demonstrate the importance to further strengthen multi-layered air defence," the statement reads.

This week, the ministers noted, several foreign unmanned aerial vehicles crossed NATO airspace and crashed in the Baltic states.

While investigations are ongoing to establish all relevant details and circumstances, the three countries remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine's defence operations against Russia and Ukraine's legitimate right to self-defence, the statement says.

The ministers stressed that NATO's efforts to strengthen air defence, including countering unmanned aerial vehicles, must be accelerated.

Quote: "Allies must urgently reinforce the capabilities required for effective detection and interception. The current presence of NATO aircraft and air defence systems in the Baltic states must be maintained and further strengthened to counter all air threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles."

Details: The countries also emphasised the need for a significant increase and targeted allocation of EU defence funding in the long term, particularly to reinforce its eastern border through initiatives such as Eastern Flank Watch and the European Counter-UAV Initiative.

Background:

During a series of recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian ports around St Petersburg, several drones reportedly strayed into the territory of the Baltic states, with two crashing in Latvia and Estonia.
On 23 March, a drone entered Lithuania from Belarusian territory and exploded more than 20 km from the border. Lithuania's prime minister confirmed it was a Ukrainian drone.

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