EU leaders call for stronger air defenses after Baltic drone incidents

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a series of drone incursions into Baltic airspace over the past few weeks are not isolated incidents and form part of a deliberate Russian strategy to destabilise democratic societies. She spoke Tuesday in Vilnius alongside the presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, stating that when Baltic states are tested, Europe as a whole is tested.

At least six incursions have been recorded since the beginning of May.

Incidents prompt resignations and shelter guidance One incident in Latvia led to the resignation of the prime minister and defence minister after the government’s response drew criticism. In Finland, the interior ministry updated public guidance, advising citizens to go indoors and move to a room with solid walls if another incursion occurs.

A major incident in Lithuania last week sent the country’s president and prime minister to bunkers while officials assessed the suspected violation near the Belarus border. Romanian F-16 jets intercepted a Ukrainian drone over Estonian airspace during the same period.

Baltic presidents differ on Russian intent Estonian President Alar Karis said the violations aim to intimidate Europe and require a calm, coordinated and firm response. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that the hybrid attempts show Russia is failing on the battlefield with Ukraine.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the skies above the Baltic states are not sufficiently secure. He added that cable cuts, arson attempts, drone incursions and disinformation campaigns form part of Moscow’s psychological warfare playbook.

EU plans €800 billion defence push The European Commission has earmarked €800 billion for defence-related spending to rearm Europe by 2030, with a portion allocated to a drone wall along the eastern flank that is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2027.

The Baltics will receive a cumulative €12 billion through the Security Action for Europe programme to strengthen cross-border military infrastructure. Von der Leyen said closer cooperation with NATO is needed to assess counter-drone and early warning systems and fill critical gaps.

“Hybrid threats cannot be accepted as a new normal. We must work together systematically to counter hybrid threats and restore deterrence.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Russia’s disinformation campaign as absolutely ridiculous and said the alliance’s response to the drone incursions had been calm, decisive and proportionate.