Russia Deliberately Redirected Ukrainian Drones Toward Baltic States and Finland, Says Foreign Minister

Statement by Ukraine's Foreign Minister

According to Главком: On March 31, 2026, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia had intentionally redirected Ukrainian drones toward the Baltic states and Finland. He noted that Ukraine had officially apologized to the residents of the Baltic countries following incidents on March 29, when several unmanned aerial vehicles violated Finnish airspace. This accusation highlights the Kremlin's tactic of weaponizing regional instability to test NATO's eastern flank.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed that the drones which entered the country's territory were likely of Ukrainian origin. According to Finland's Ministry of Defence, two of the UAVs crashed near the city of Kouvola, located approximately 50 kilometers from the Russian border. Police also reported a third drone that landed on ice in the Mellsteninranta area of Espoo.

Gratitude and International Cooperation

'I can assure you we never directed drones toward these countries. And we are working with our partners to safeguard them from such incidents in the future... Furthermore, I can state with certainty that in all these cases, we are dealing with the absolutely deliberate and targeted actions of Russia.' Andrii Sybiha

Andrii Sybiha also expressed gratitude to partners from the Baltic states and Finland, stating:

'I am grateful to all our Baltic partners, as well as the Finns, who together with us clearly state: the cause of these incidents lies with Russia. It is the Russian war that has created all these threats, and it is Russia that must be compelled to make peace.' Andrii Sybiha

The drone incidents underscore significant geopolitical tensions in the region stemming from Russia's aggressive policies. The Ukrainian foreign minister's statements point to the necessity of international cooperation to ensure security in the Baltic region and highlight potential risks to stability in response to Russian actions. These events could act as a catalyst for further involvement by international partners in securing peace and stability for the area.

The recent drone incidents have not only strained Ukraine's relations with its Baltic neighbors but also raised concerns about Russian interference. As highlighted in a related report, Ukraine has formally apologized to the Baltic states, attributing the situation to Russian jamming efforts. This context emphasizes the ongoing geopolitical complexities in the region and the need for collective security measures. For more details on Ukraine's response and the implications of these drone incidents, read our full coverage regarding the drone incidents and their fallout.