Estonia issues alerts after drones approach and cross border

Estonia activated air-threat alerts after one drone flying from Russia briefly headed towards Narva and another crossed the country’s border in southeastern Estonia, ERR reported.

Air Force Commander Brigadier General Riivo Valge said on the “Terevisioon” programme that around 2 a.m. it became apparent that Ukraine was carrying out a larger drone attack against Russia. About 10 drones were seen moving on the Russian side of the border.

At around 3 a.m., one of the drones turned towards Narva, prompting authorities to alert the public. Estonia first activated its ground-based air-defence units, after which fighter jets took off from Ämari.

The drone heading towards Narva later turned back towards Russia and did not enter Estonia, Valge said.

About half an hour later, a second drone crossed the Estonian border in the southeast and remained near the border zone. Valge described its behaviour as unpredictable and noted that several more drones were still flying just across the border.

The Defence Forces therefore also issued an air-threat alert in southern Estonia.

“Fortunately for us, the drones did not crash in Estonia, the aircraft did not open fire and there is no missile lying somewhere,” Valge said. By around 5 a.m., the situation had become calm on the other side of the border and the alert was lifted.

Valge said the situation was currently calm and advised people in Estonia to focus on their children going to school.