Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Drone incursions sow fear along NATO's Baltic and Finnish borders
During the war between Ukraine and Russia, some flying machines called drones flew into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
These countries are members of a group of allies called NATO and share borders with Russia.
Ukraine said its drones had been pushed off course by Russian electronic jamming.
The drones crashed into things like a power station chimney, a lake and an oil storage facility.
NATO fighter jets shot down some of the drones.
People were told to stay inside, and some airports stopped flights for a while.
In Latvia, the government fell apart because leaders argued about how quickly anti-drone systems were deployed.
A new prime minister said he would spend his holiday in the affected area to show support.
The drones damaged some property, such as oil tanks and a power station chimney, and countries are taking many precautions to keep people safe.
Military drones have repeatedly strayed into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, raising fears the war in Ukraine is spilling over into NATO's northern borders with Russia.
Ukraine says the drones were Ukrainian but were diverted off course by Russian electronic warfare, and has apologised to Estonia and its Baltic allies.
NATO fighter jets, including French and Romanian aircraft, shot down suspected drones over Estonia and Latvia during the months-long incident sequence.
The incidents triggered a political crisis in Latvia, where Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned and the coalition government collapsed in May.
Finland warned 1.8 million people in the Helsinki region to stay indoors, suspended flights at the capital's airport, and later imposed airspace and maritime restrictions near the Russian border.
- Who
- Ukraine, Russia, NATO, and the governments and armed forces of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; key figures include Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Latvian leaders Evika Silina, Andris Spruds and Andris Kulbergs.
- What
- Stray military drones repeatedly entered NATO airspace along the Baltic and Finnish borders, prompting warnings, airport closures, fighter jet scrambles, drone shoot-downs and the collapse of Latvia's government.
- When
- The incidents occurred between March 25 and August 14, with the report published on August 14.
- Where
- Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, including the Helsinki region, Vilnius, Auvere, Rezekne and areas bordering Russia and Belarus.
- Why
- The drones were linked to Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russian Baltic Sea oil shipping ports; Ukraine says Russian electronic warfare redirected them, stoking concerns the war in Ukraine is spilling into NATO territory.
- Event
- Drone incursions into NATO airspace along the Baltic and Finnish borders
- Affected countries
- Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Timeframe
- March 25 – August 14
- Reported drone origin
- Ukraine, per Ukrainian and Estonian statements
- Cause cited by Ukraine
- Russian electronic warfare redirecting Ukrainian drones
- Drones shot down
- At least three, by Romanian, French and NATO fighter jets
- Latvia government change
- Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned May 14; Andris Kulbergs became prime minister
- Finland's largest alert
- 1.8 million people near Helsinki told to stay indoors on May 15