Authorities in Estonia and Latvia have reported drones entering their airspace from neighboring Russia, heightening concerns about regional spillover from the Ukraine war. Estonia's Internal Security Service stated on Wednesday that a drone flying from Russian airspace struck the chimney of a power station in the northeastern village of Auvere. The incident caused no casualties or injuries.

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna claimed the drone was "not directed at Estonia," but called the incursion "a concrete consequence of Russia's full-scale war of aggression." On the same day, the Latvian Air Force identified an unmanned aerial vehicle that also entered its airspace from Russia and crashed in the southeastern Kraslava region, without damaging civilian infrastructure.

Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina said there were indications the drone might be Ukrainian and that an investigation is underway. The country's Defence Minister Andris Spruds, who was in Ukraine on a working visit, announced he would cut his trip short and return home due to the incident. Ukraine had carried out several overnight strikes against Russia, including targeting the major northwestern port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland.

Drones have repeatedly breached the airspace of European countries during the Ukraine war, sparking discussions in the European Union about building a possible "drone wall" to shield its eastern flank from Russian violations. Last week, Estonian authorities said a Russian fighter jet violated its northern airspace for the first time this year and summoned the Russian charge d'affaires. Latvia and Estonia are both staunch allies of Ukraine and members of the "coalition of the willing" that have stepped up support for Kyiv during the war, highlighting their alignment with the Ukrainian regime amid ongoing geopolitical friction.

Source: www.aljazeera.com