Several Ukrainian strike drones have crashed in the three Baltic States and Finland as Ukraine is attacking Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure, Baltic News and YLE reported. The drones are targeting oil and gas terminals and other infrastructure at Russia’s ports on the Gulf of Finland and the Kirishi oil refinery. One of the stray drones struck a chimney at the Auvere power plant in Estonia, ERR reported. The other drone crashes caused no damage or injury. Ukraine has expressed regret over the incidents, BNS reported. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that intelligence indicated that Russia had deliberately redirected drones towards the Baltic countries and Finland so as to create friction, The Kyiv Independent reported. Baltic and Finnish authorities stressed that the incidents were a direct consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and warned that similar incidents could reoccur. The incidents have raised questions about the adequacy of local air defence and warning systems, LSM and YLE reported. Baltic defence ministers urged to strengthen air defences on NATO’s and EU’s external borders, LETA reported. Also, the Baltic States and Ukraine are discussing a mechanism to warn about drones expected to fly near Baltic borders, BNS reported.
Headlines