Russian media have reported that the Baltic countries—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—have opened their airspace for Ukrainian drones, enabling attacks on legitimate military targets within Russia, especially in Saint Petersburg. According to Russian sources, such actions are treated as de facto involvement of the Baltic states in the war. However, Ukrainian drones target only military and strategic sites that support Russia’s military infrastructure.
Russia has repeatedly violated the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, using its own drones to attack the energy infrastructure of these nations. Following these provocations, unofficial sources suggest the Baltic states decided to help Ukraine by allowing their airspace to be used to bypass Russian air defenses and reach northern Russian targets.
The investigative magazine Mezha notes that this cooperation allows Ukraine to avoid Belarusian airspace and use alternative routes through Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This greatly facilitates Ukrainian UAV strikes on sites such as oil refineries in Leningrad Oblast and facilities in Vyborg and Ust-Luga. A record number of attacks near Saint Petersburg have already been documented.
In response, Russian media have escalated their rhetoric, threatening possible retaliation against Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. However, these countries are NATO members, complicating any direct Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, global news discusses Europe's increased defense spending, statements by world leaders regarding the war, and the unlikelihood of a Zelensky-Putin meeting. There were also reports on Hungary potentially leaving the EU if Orban wins future elections.
The future reactions of the Baltic states and the situation’s development remain topics for discussion among analysts and the public.
