Russia-Baltics: Ukraine Airspace Row Sparks Tension & Threats

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued warnings to the Baltic states on April 6, following accusations that Kyiv’s allies are enabling attacks on Russian ports in the Baltic Sea using their airspace – claims the Baltic states have refuted as disinformation.

Russia Issues Veiled Threats to Baltic States

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the Baltic states “have received an appropriate warning,” adding that they “will have to deal with a response” if they do not heed the warning, according to Russian state media.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have maintained a stance of non-participation in the fighting in Ukraine, providing military assistance, intelligence support, and humanitarian aid while keeping their territories off-limits for attacks on Russia.

Zakharova’s comments followed intensified Ukrainian military strikes on Russian oil terminals along the Baltic Sea coast, aiming to disrupt Russia’s revenue from oil exports.

These strikes have primarily targeted Russia’s northwestern Leningrad Oblast, which borders Estonia.

Baltic States Deny Involvement

Colonel Ants Kiviselg, commander of the Estonian Military’s Intelligence Center, reaffirmed on April 6 that Tallinn will not permit its territory or airspace to be used for attacks against Russia. He stated they have recommended Ukraine choose attack corridors to avoid Estonian airspace, though acknowledged it’s “impossible” to rule out the possibility of Ukrainian drones entering Estonian airspace given the increase in attacks.

Two Ukrainian drones reportedly strayed into Latvian and Estonian territory during a mass overnight attack on targets inside Russia on March 25. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna characterized the incident as “a concrete consequence of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.”

Latvia’s Defense Ministry issued a statement on March 31 rejecting Moscow’s allegations that its airspace was used for drone attacks against Russia, demanding the “immediate withdrawal of this blatantly false information.”

Ukraine reportedly restarted attacks on Leningrad Oblast overnight on April 7, with explosions reported near the Ust-Luga port, a major Russian oil terminal. Local officials claimed 22 Ukrainian drones were downed during the attack.