Ukraine has expressed regret over incidents in which drones crashed across the Baltic states last week, the Lithuanian president’s office said Monday.
“Ukrainian representatives have expressed regret through diplomatic channels regarding these incidents in the Baltic states,” according to the statement.
It added that “the primary and fundamental cause of these incidents is Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which poses direct threats to surrounding states,” emphasising that Ukraine has the right to defend itself.
Three drones entered Baltic airspace and exploded last week. Officials believe they were Ukrainian drones intended for targets in Russia that veered off course.
Authorities in the Baltic countries have described the incidents as a spillover from Russia's war in Ukraine and warned similar incidents could happen again.
In Lithuania, a drone crashed onto the frozen Lake Lavysas near the border with Belarus. In Latvia, one drone exploded in Krāslava Municipality, about a kilometre from the centre of Svarini, while another briefly entered Latvian airspace from Belarus before heading toward Russia. In Estonia, a drone struck a chimney at the Auvere power plant.
Separately, two Ukrainian drones crashed in Finland over the weekend, prompting Kyiv to issue an apology to Helsinki.
The incidents have intensified discussions in the region about strengthening air defences. Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said radar systems capable of detecting drones are expected to arrive between 2026 and 2028. While some equipment has already been delivered, installation takes time, he said.
Lithuania aims to establish a fully integrated drone detection system by 2030.
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