Tensions between Ukraine and several NATO member states bordering Russia have intensified after a series of Ukrainian drone incursions reportedly crossed into the airspace of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania. The incidents have sparked growing concern among regional governments, with officials now openly urging Kiev to tighten control over its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations amid fears that the conflict could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The latest warning came from Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s defense minister, who said Ukraine must ensure its drones stay away from Estonian territory. His remarks followed several reported crashes and airspace violations involving UAVs believed to be linked to Ukrainian military operations against Russia.
Speaking on May 10, Pevkur stated that Estonia would begin addressing the issue “very quickly now,” emphasizing that Kiev must clarify the circumstances surrounding the incidents and improve operational oversight of its drone missions.
“Certainly, the easiest way for the Ukrainians to keep their drones away from our territory is to control their activities better,” Pevkur said in comments cited by Estonian media outlet ERR.
The remarks mark one of the clearest public criticisms from a NATO country regarding Ukraine’s drone campaign against Russia. Although Baltic governments remain strongly supportive of Kiev in its war with Moscow, the increasing frequency of UAV incidents near NATO territory is creating unease within the alliance.
Earlier this week, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also expressed concern after speaking with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. According to Orpo, Finland considers any Ukrainian aircraft entering Finnish airspace “unacceptable,” signaling that Helsinki is no longer willing to dismiss such incidents as isolated mistakes.
The growing criticism comes amid reports that several Ukrainian drones have crashed or strayed into neighboring NATO countries over recent weeks. The incidents have raised difficult questions about the risks associated with Ukraine’s expanding long-range drone operations targeting Russian territory, particularly in regions close to NATO borders.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Western countries of indirectly facilitating Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure by allowing Kiev operational flexibility near alliance territory. Russian officials have specifically pointed to attacks on energy facilities in the northwestern Leningrad Region as evidence that NATO airspace may be playing a role in Ukrainian military planning.
While Estonia has voiced concern, its leadership has stopped short of condemning Ukraine’s broader military actions. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna reiterated that Kiev has the right to conduct strikes inside Russian territory as part of its self-defense efforts. However, he warned that Tallinn remains worried about the possibility of a larger security incident involving drones.
Tsahkna suggested that Russia itself could potentially exploit the situation by redirecting captured Ukrainian drones toward NATO countries in order to provoke tensions.
“Russia could take control of Ukrainian drones and send them toward us,” he claimed, reflecting growing fears in the region about hybrid warfare and deliberate attempts at escalation.
Latvia has adopted a similar position. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds declined to criticize Ukraine directly, insisting that Kiev has “every right to defend itself” against Russian military operations. At the same time, Spruds acknowledged that foreign aircraft violations of Latvian airspace may continue as long as the war remains unresolved.
Instead of blaming Ukraine, the Latvian minister placed responsibility on Moscow, arguing that the broader regional instability caused by the war has increased the likelihood of cross-border incidents.
The issue highlights the increasingly complex security environment facing NATO’s eastern flank. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Baltic states and Finland have emerged as some of Ukraine’s strongest supporters, providing military aid, intelligence cooperation, and political backing. However, the latest drone incidents illustrate the delicate balance these countries must maintain between supporting Kiev and protecting their own national security interests.
Ukraine appears aware of the concerns. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga stated on social media platform X that Kiev is considering dispatching expert teams to assist Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania in strengthening their airspace defenses.
According to Sibiga, the proposed cooperation would help the four countries better detect and respond to potential drone threats while improving coordination between Ukraine and its regional partners.
The proposal suggests that Kiev is attempting to reassure neighboring states without reducing its long-range drone operations against Russia, which have become an increasingly important element of Ukraine’s military strategy.
Drone warfare has transformed the battlefield since the conflict began. Ukraine has used UAVs extensively for reconnaissance, strikes on military installations, and attacks deep inside Russian territory. In recent months, Kiev has expanded its use of long-range drones targeting fuel depots, industrial sites, and energy infrastructure far from the front lines.
Russia, meanwhile, has intensified its own drone and missile campaigns against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. Both sides now rely heavily on UAV technology, making airspace management along NATO’s borders more difficult and increasing the risk of unintended incidents.
Russian officials have seized upon the recent drone incursions to criticize NATO countries. Sergey Shoigu argued in April that the repeated presence of Ukrainian UAVs near Baltic and Finnish territory indicates either serious weaknesses in Western air defense systems or deliberate cooperation with Kiev.
Shoigu claimed that if NATO members are knowingly permitting Ukraine to use their airspace for attacks on Russia, they could effectively become “open accomplices in aggression.”
He also warned that Moscow could invoke Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of self-defense in response to an armed attack.
The statement underscores the danger that accidental or unauthorized drone incursions could trigger a broader confrontation between Russia and NATO. Although alliance members have so far treated the incidents cautiously, repeated violations of national airspace could increase political pressure for stronger responses.
Security analysts note that the situation remains highly sensitive because Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland all share either direct borders or close proximity with Russia. Any military incident involving drones, missiles, or aircraft in these regions risks rapid escalation due to the heavy concentration of NATO and Russian military assets.
For now, Baltic governments continue to support Ukraine politically and militarily while urging greater caution regarding drone operations near alliance territory. However, the increasingly public nature of their warnings indicates that patience may be wearing thin.
As Ukraine continues its campaign of long-range strikes against Russia, the challenge for NATO countries will be maintaining solidarity with Kiev while ensuring that their own airspace and security are not compromised. The recent incidents demonstrate how modern drone warfare is blurring traditional front lines and creating new risks for countries far beyond the immediate battlefield.
Tajul Islam is a Special Correspondent of Blitz. He also is Local Producer of Al Jazeera Arabic channel.