Russia accused of 'directing' Ukrainian drones as 'propaganda' warning issued

Russia has been accused of “directing” Ukrainian drones into NATO airspace after multiple violations in the Baltic states this week. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has claimed Moscow is deliberately steering the devices off-course, prompting a military response from the affected countries.

He said ahead of a NATO meeting in Sweden: “Russia is directing these drones into NATO territory.” Nations on the alliance’s eastern flank, such as the Baltic states and Finland, have recorded an increase in Ukrainian drones accidentally violating their airspace, Bloomberg reports.

Russia claims that the Baltic states in particular have opened their airspace to help Ukraine attack Russia, which European politicians dismissed as propaganda.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called this assertion “absurd”, adding that “a threat to one member is a threat to all”.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski added: “Unfortunately we have to fear that this is propaganda preparation for something insane.

“Russia always lies, as it did about supposed Ukrainian provocations against Russia before the attack on Ukraine.”

It remains unclear where the drone came from, but it marked the third consecutive day that Latvia declared a drone-related air alert.

Residents in affected areas were told to remain indoors and follow the “two-walls rule”, which is intended to reduce exposure to blasts.

The armed forces said: “We have strengthened air defence capabilities on the eastern border by deploying additional units.”