Estonia has reported that a NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over its territory, which is believed to have been redirected by Russian forces. The incident involved a Romanian F-16 fighter jet, which fired a missile at the drone after it had been identified as a potential threat.
According to Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, the drone was tracked after early information was received from Latvia indicating that it was off course. The debris fell in a marshy area of central Estonia, about 30 meters from the nearest residence, with no damage reported.
Ukraine’s government reacted to the incident by accusing Russia of intentionally interfering with Ukrainian drones aimed at Russian military targets. They extended an apology to Estonia and its Baltic neighbors for the unintended incident.
Russia has yet to comment on the ongoing situation, which follows a series of drone incursions affecting NATO member states in the Baltic region, including Latvia and Lithuania. Last week, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned following a crisis stemming from similar Ukrainian drone incidents.
Incidents involving Ukrainian drones have raised alarms, especially with the intensified conflict between Ukraine and Russia that has seen increased drone and missile strikes aimed at Russian targets from Ukrainian territory.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania remain concerned about potential provocations from Moscow, which has accused the Baltic states of facilitating Ukrainian military operations against Russia, claims that have been firmly denied by the respective governments.
