From January 2025 to May 2026, the Baltic states reported at least 24 incidents involving drones appearing in their airspace or being found on the ground. This was reported by Novaya-Europe after analyzing media coverage and statements by local authorities.
Such incidents were reported most often in Latvia, where the outlet identified at least 12 cases. At least seven more were recorded in Lithuania and five in Estonia. In a number of cases, the drones’ origin could not be established, although some were described as Russian, Ukrainian, or as having arrived from the direction of Belarus. In 2025, at least nine such incidents were reported, while in 2026 the number had already reached 15.
Some of the incidents led to restrictions affecting infrastructure in the Baltic countries. On May 20, for example, Lithuania declared a “red” air threat level for the first time because of a drone near the border with Belarus, and residents of Vilnius were urged to go to shelters.
On May 19, Estonia shot down a drone that had entered its airspace for the first time. It was most likely a Ukrainian drone headed toward targets inside Russia. In other cases, damaged drones were found on beaches, in the water, or on the territory of nature reserves.
It is difficult to determine the total number of drones that have entered the territory of the Baltic states since 2025, because in some episodes the authorities did not specify how many drones had crossed the border.
The drone problem
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian drones have periodically entered the territory of other countries. In autumn 2025, European authorities began recording flights by Russian drones over Poland and Romania, as well as MiG-31 fighter jets over Estonia.
In September, unidentified drones began appearing near airports and military facilities in several EU countries. They would suddenly appear and disappear, disrupting airport operations and causing alarm among residents.
After that, the European Parliament recommended that EU countries shoot down Russian drones and aircraft that violate European borders.