The war between Russia and Ukraine has brought drones to the forefront of modern conflict, with hundreds of thousands deployed since Russia's invasion in February 2022. This weekend, Russia launched 600 drones in retaliation for a claimed Ukrainian strike on a school in Luhansk.
Now, these unmanned aerial vehicles threaten to spread the war into mainland Europe. Experts suggest Russia may be hijacking Ukrainian drones, directing them into Baltic states. Last week, Latvia's prime minister resigned after backlash over a Ukrainian drone incursion. Lithuania also shut down Vilnius airport and evacuated parliament after a drone incident.
Both Latvia and Lithuania called on Nato to boost air defences. Analysts say Russia uses 'spoofing' to jam signals and force Ukrainian drones off course. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys accused Moscow of deliberately redirecting drones into Baltic airspace to create provocations and damage Ukraine's relations with its allies.
Christina Hayward of the Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia may be using electronic warfare to direct drones into Baltic states, aiming to justify future violations of Baltic airspace. Ukraine produced four million drones last year and is on track to produce seven million this year, but analysts warn drones cannot replace heavier weaponry.
