Estonia and Latvia have each reported that drones crossed into their airspace from neighbouring Russia, heightening fears of regional spillover from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Estonia’s Internal Security Service announced on Wednesday that a drone entering from Russian territory hit the chimney of a power plant in the northeastern village of Auvere. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the drone was “not aimed at Estonia”, but described the breach as “a tangible consequence of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression”.

That same day, Latvia’s Air Force reported detecting an unmanned aerial vehicle that had also crossed into its airspace from Russia before crashing in the southeastern Kraslava region. Officials said there were no casualties and no damage to civilian infrastructure.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina noted that early indications suggested the drone could have been Ukrainian, adding that a formal investigation had been launched. Defence Minister Andris Spruds, who was on an official visit to Ukraine at the time, announced he would end his trip early and return to Latvia following the घटना.

Ukraine had conducted several overnight strikes inside Russia, including an attack on the major northwestern port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland. Latvia and Estonia are located along potential flight paths for drones heading toward that area, which lies relatively close to Saint Petersburg.

Throughout the war, drones have repeatedly entered the airspace of European nations, prompting debate within the European Union about the creation of a possible “drone wall” to reinforce the bloc’s eastern border against further Russian incursions.

Just last week, Estonian officials reported that a Russian fighter jet had violated the country’s northern airspace for the first time this year, leading authorities to summon Russia’s charge d’affaires.

Both Latvia and Estonia remain strong supporters of Ukraine and are part of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, a group of countries that have intensified their assistance to Kyiv during the conflict.